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I can't install a license key on my laptop. How to find out the activation key for the Windows operating system. Sticker with the key of the installed Windows OS

Many people are prompted to read this material by a very standard and common situation: you once bought a laptop with a licensed Windows 7 or 8 operating system installed. After a certain time, due to the need to reinstall Windows or for any other reason, you need the activation key that was indicated on the sticker , which is located on the bottom of the laptop, but over the months and years of use of the laptop, it has long been worn out or completely peeled off. What should I do?

If your PC is running Windows with an activated license key, then “getting” it from the operating system will not be difficult. If by icon My computer right click and open Properties, then below we will only see code of product, and not the activation key itself. It is also important to distinguish between what you need to get - just the code that was indicated on a special sticker or the code for Windows 8, which is in the computer's BIOS.

Screenshot of My Computer properties

For Win8 from BIOS using RWEverything

To extract the OEM license key Windows 8 From the BIOS of a laptop or desktop computer, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with it - in it we looked at how to use a program to get a key for Win8 from a new type of BIOS: UEFI. This method is also relevant for those who are trying to recover the key if another OS was installed instead of the licensed Windows 8 “from the store”.


Screenshot of the RWEverything program

Windows activation key in AIDA64

If you need an activation key for an installed and working system, you can use the program we are already familiar with to fully diagnose your PC - go ahead, get acquainted, download and install. Then run the program and open the tab operating system. In chapter License information in field Product Key and the required Windows activation code will be indicated.


Screenshot of the AIDA64 program

In AIDA64, as in RWEverything, you can see the key hardcoded into the BIOS. To do this, go to the tab Motherboard, then ACPI. In chapter Description of the table we'll find MSDM and in the field SLS Data The 25-character Windows activation code we need will be written.


AIDA64 screen

Finding an activation key via KeyFinder

A simple utility from Magical Jelly Bean. This small program does not take up much space and provides only the bare minimum of information, but that is exactly what we need. You can download KeyFinder from here (the official website of the developers), it is available in two versions - the free one is enough for us. Download, install, launch. In the left window, select the software for which you need to find out the activation key - in this case we are interested in Windows 7 Home Premium. CD Key and there is the required code.


Screenshot of KeyFinder

Instead of a conclusion

This list could be continued endlessly, since there are at least a dozen more popular utilities for solving the same problem, but I believe that the set provided will be enough for you. There are also various scripts on the Internet that use VBScript or PowerShell to extract keys without installing unnecessary programs. Everyone chooses the method that is more convenient for them.

In this article we will touch on the question of how to find out the key in an installed Windows 8 operating system (in Windows 7 the procedure is practically the same). In Windows 8, the activation key is a set of 25 characters, divided into 5 parts with 5 characters in each part.

By the way, an important point! The key can only be used for the version of Windows for which it is intended. For example, a key for the Pro version cannot be used for the home version!

Sticker with the key of the installed Windows OS

First, you need to say that there are two versions of the key: OEM and Retail.

OEM - this key can be used to activate Windows 8 only on the computer on which it was previously activated. It is prohibited to use the same key on another computer!

Retail - this version of the key allows you to use it on any computer, but only on one at a time! If you want to install it on another computer, you will have to remove Windows from the one from which you are “taking” the key.

Usually, when you buy a computer or laptop, it comes with Windows 7, 8 installed, and on the device case you can find a sticker with a key to activate the OS. On laptops, by the way, this sticker is on the bottom.

Unfortunately, very often this sticker wears off over time, fades in the sun, gets dirty with dust, etc. - in general, it becomes unreadable. If this happens to you, and you want it, don’t despair, the key of the installed OS can be found out quite easily. Below we will look step by step how this is done...

Find out the key using a script

To perform the procedure, you do not need to have any knowledge in the field of creating scripts. Everything is quite simple and even a novice user can handle this procedure.

1) Create a text file on the desktop. See picture below.


As a rule, after installing an operating system, it requires activation. If this is not completed within 30 days, constant pop-up messages and annoying errors will begin to appear. As a result, if Windows 7 activation fails, it will not be very convenient to use, and you can completely forget about updating system files, services and drivers from the official website.

In order to complete activation, you must enter a license key, after which it is compared with the Microsoft database. If it is entered correctly, the system will be ready to work without restrictions. When carrying out the operation, you must carefully monitor the entered data and use the activation software correctly, otherwise you may receive error 0x8007007b.

Where can I get a license key?

If you are using an official copy of the operating system, then activating Windows 7 will not pose any problems. The key must be indicated on the box with the disc in the accompanying documentation or in the files contained on the drive.

In addition, you can search for the key on the Internet or get it using special generators and activators. If you choose one of these methods, you will be using pirated software, even if you enter the resulting code into a licensed version of Windows.

Searching for keys on the Internet

Not so long ago, searching online was the only option for obtaining a license key. This method is full of disadvantages. However, many people still use it. Before you start searching, consider the disadvantages of this approach:

  • sites with keys are publicly available, which means that most of them are already used by someone;
  • huge lists of keys often turn out to be just a set of letters obtained using a generator program; they are posted on the site in order to attract visitors, but they cannot be used;
  • you have to make many attempts to enter the key and spend a lot of time searching for a working one.

As a rule, manually selecting a key often results in a message with code 0x8007007b - “Syntax error in the file name, folder name, or volume label.” Getting rid of it is not so easy. You will have to use a special built-in utility.

Using additional software

In order for Windows 7 activation to proceed correctly, you can use special software. However, its use does not guarantee safety. When searching for suitable software, you may encounter the following problems:


Each of these problems can cause you to reinstall the operating system from scratch. Therefore, you should choose activation software with extreme caution.

For example, you can use one of the programs listed in the picture. All of them have been tested and work on different versions of Windows.

Obtaining a license using Windows Loader

Modern software allows you to quickly activate Windows 7 without unnecessary problems and actions on the part of the user. For example, using the Windows Loader program.

The user is required to complete only three simple steps:

  1. Download the program and run it;
  2. Click the “Install” button;
  3. To restart a computer.

That's all! You may be happy to see a message about choosing real software from Microsoft.

Result:

Even if you haven’t managed to select a Windows activator for yourself within 30 days, your operating system will not be permanently blocked, but will only slightly limit its functionality: they will disable updates and bother you with messages. In this case, you can also use the software.

The great thing about using an activation program is that you can always change the code by performing the operation again. This may be necessary, for example, if Microsoft has released an update that verifies license files.

Hello dear friends! In this article I will show you how to find out the activation key for your windows XP, windows 7, 8, 10. I have been asked many times, how can I find out the activation key for my windows system? It turned out that the activation key was lost or the sticker on the back of the laptop or system unit was simply worn out and I simply cannot see the key. I need to reinstall the system and need my own activation key in order to activate windows later, please give me some advice.

And so let's get started, in the first method we will use the script from the site microsoft. Create a regular text document on the desktop.

Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

regKey = "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\"

DigitalProductId = WshShell.RegRead(regKey & "DigitalProductId")

Win8ProductName = "Windows Product Name: " & WshShell.RegRead(regKey & "ProductName") & vbNewLine

Win8ProductID = "Windows Product ID: " & WshShell.RegRead(regKey & "ProductID") & vbNewLine

Win8ProductKey = ConvertToKey(DigitalProductId)

strProductKey ="Windows Key: " & Win8ProductKey

Win8ProductID = Win8ProductName & Win8ProductID & strProductKey

MsgBox(Win8ProductKey)

MsgBox(Win8ProductID)

Function ConvertToKey(regKey)

Const KeyOffset = 52

isWin8 = (regKey(66)\6) And 1

regKey(66) = (regKey(66) And&HF7) Or((isWin8 And 2) * 4)

Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"

Cur = regKey(y + KeyOffset) + Cur

regKey(y + KeyOffset) = (Cur\24)

Cur = Cur Mod 24

Loop While y >= 0

winKeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & winKeyOutput

Loop While j >= 0

If(isWin8 = 1) Then

keypart1 = Mid(winKeyOutput, 2, Last)

winKeyOutput = Replace(winKeyOutput, keypart1, keypart1 & insert, 2, 1, 0)

If Last = 0 Then winKeyOutput = insert & winKeyOutput

End If

a = Mid(winKeyOutput, 1, 5)

b = Mid(winKeyOutput, 6, 5)

c = Mid(winKeyOutput, 11, 5)

d = Mid(winKeyOutput, 16, 5)

e = Mid(winKeyOutput, 21, 5)

ConvertToKey = a & "-" & b & "-" & c & "-" & d & "-" & e

End Function

After you have inserted the script into a text document, you need to save the document with the extension .VBS. To do this, click on the “File” item and in the drop-down list, select “Save as”.

In the window that opens, in the File type field, select “All files (*.*)” and write any name for the file, for example I wrote windowssss.vbs. Click the “Save” button.


Open this file and you will see the long-awaited activation key for your Windows system. You can click on the cross or the “OK” button, an additional window will open with information about windows, product code and, accordingly, the activation key.

This is how easy it is to find out your activation key on your computer. Let's look at another method, a simpler one using the KeyFinderInstaller utility.

How to find out your Windows activation key using the KeyFinderInstaller utility

Download the utility KeyFinderInstaller(you can download it from any website on the Internet) and install it. After the utility is installed, click on the shortcut on the desktop and see the information we need in the window that opens.


If you still have other Microsoft products installed on your computer, for example Microsoft office, then you can also find out the activation key for these products, just select the product in the window and look at the information. That's all, now you know how to find out the activation key for your windows. I hope the article is useful to you, good luck to everyone!

To activate the Windows operating system, a special product license key is used. The Windows product key used to activate the system differs depending on the operating system version (Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, etc.), OS edition (Home, Pro, etc.), distribution method (OEM, Retail etc).

To activate the Windows operating system, a product key is used, consisting of 25 characters in the form of numbers and capital (upper case) English letters, divided into 5 groups of 5 characters: “XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX”.

Laptops used to often have a Windows activation key stuck to it. Currently, laptop manufacturers with pre-installed operating systems embed the product key into the BIOS to automatically activate Windows.

If the system is reinstalled, or for some other reason (for example, activation failed after a hardware failure), the user may need a Windows product key. How to find out your Windows activation key?

You can find out the license key of installed Windows by running a special VBS script, as well as using five programs: ProduKey, ShowKeyPlus, Free PC Audit, Speccy, AIDA64, SIW. All listed programs are free, except AIDA64 and SIW.

The script with the extension “.vbs” and portable free programs (ProduKey, ShowKeyPlus, Free PC Audit) can be downloaded from here. Download the rest of the programs to your computer from the official websites of the manufacturers.

Using these methods, you can find out the key for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10. After you have found out the Windows product key, the data obtained is for subsequent use, in case of reinstalling the operating system, to activate the operating system.

How to find out the Windows key in ProduKey

The free ProduKey program from the well-known manufacturer NirSoft does not require installation on your computer. The application shows keys for Windows OS, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office.

Unpack the archive with the program, and then run the “Application” file from the folder. After launch, the ProduKey utility window will display the key for the installed operating system.

Select the entry with the key for Windows 10, or another operating system, and then select “Copy Product Key” from the context menu to copy the activation key to the clipboard.

We look at the license key in ShowKeyPlus

The free ShowKeyPlus program does not require installation on your computer. After launch, in the application window you will see the following information:

  • Product Name - the operating system currently installed on the computer
  • Product ID - product code
  • Installed Key - the key of the operating system currently installed on the computer
  • OEM Key - a key embedded in the BIOS of the laptop with the originally installed operating system

To save the data, click on the “Save” button, and then the received information in a text format file.

How to view the Windows key in Free PC Audit

The free program Free PC Audit will help you find out the key of your installed Windows. This program does not require installation on your computer. Run the utility file, after which the Free PC Audit program window will open, in which the system scan will begin.

After the scan is completed, in the “System” tab, opposite the “Windows product key” item, you will see the product key of the installed Windows operating system.

To copy the key, select the line with the license key, and then using the “Copy” context menu item, or using the “Ctrl” + “C” keys, copy the Windows product key from the utility window.

How to find out Windows 8 key using VBScrit

Activation keys for the Windows operating system are stored on the hard drive in encrypted form. Executing the VBScrit script will allow you to obtain the product key of the installed operating system in decrypted form. This script was developed for the Windows 8 operating system, but this code also works perfectly in the Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7 operating systems.

To perform the operation, double-click on the “WindowsKey.vbs” file. In the window that opens, you will see the Windows activation code. Next, click on the “OK” button.

The next window will display information about the operating system version, product ID and product key number. Ignore the title of the entry "Windows 8 Key". The name of this OS will be displayed on any version of the Windows operating system.

Getting a Windows key in Speccy

Free Speccy program from the well-known company Piriform, manufacturer of CCleaner and other software. You can download the portable version of Speccy from the official website. There is a paid version of the program with advanced features.

The program provides the user with detailed information about the computer hardware, and using the application you can also find out the license key of the installed Windows.

Launch the Speccy program, in the “Operating System” section the version of the installed operating system and its serial number (activation key) will be displayed.

Finding out the product key in AIDA64

AIDA64 is a powerful program for obtaining all kinds of information about computer software and hardware.

After launching the AIDA64 program, license information, including the Windows product key, will be displayed in the “Menu” tab, in the “Operating System” section.

Select the product key, select “Copy” in the context menu, then paste the key into Notepad or another similar program to save.

Read the program overview.

Key information in SIW

SIW (System Information of Windows) is a program for obtaining information about the hardware and software status of a computer.

After launching SIW, go to the “Programs”, “Licenses” section. This will display information about the product key that is used in the Windows operating system installed on your computer.

Incorrect product key

When checking keys using the methods listed above, the Windows product key may appear as follows: “BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB”.

This means that your computer is activated with a corporate MAK or VLK key. The Windows operating system does not save such keys, so programs do not see them.

Windows 10 uses a new system authentication method (not available for all cases on Windows 10). The activation record is stored on servers and is not displayed on the computer. After reinstallation, Windows activates itself for some time.

Maintaining the license depends on changing the computer hardware configuration. If the motherboard is replaced, Microsoft activation servers will revoke the license for that computer. Windows will prompt you to purchase a new product key.

Conclusions of the article

If necessary, the user can find out the license code of the Windows operating system by running a VBS script, or using specialized programs: ProduKey, ShowKeyPlus, Free PC Audit, Speccy, AIDA64, SIW.