Getting XP CD-KEY from command prompt?

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Anyone know of any method or utilities for getting the windows XP Home CD-Key from a command prompt? I usually use windows based program for this, but the system doesn't boot in any mode.

The customer is an old man who has had a few strokes and trying to get either the CD or the CD-Key from him is proving very difficult, and I do not want to bother him with it too much if possible.

Cheers.

 

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I can't seem to find it for xp but I have found this one for 98, you could try it in xp and see if it works.

http://www.microcenter.com/random_access/newsletters/06_newsletters/0306/speak_geek.html

I'll keep looking, but let me know if this one works for you.

 

This maybe the one you need.

http://www.goextranet.com/HowDoI/CDkey.htm

 

Eggbert,

It's easier to get the CD-Key from the Certificate of Authenticity sticker that should be on the case.

Source:

1. Certificate of Authenticity - http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/content.aspx?displaylang=en&pg=coa

 

Mitz, thanks for that. I plugged the guys drive into my machine and used Jellybean keyfinder, loading a different hive and pointing it toward his windows folder. I had an older version of jellybean which didnt let you load a different windows folder.

Worked like a charm!

r. h. lee, believe me, That's the first thing I woulda tried ;)

 

Hmmm, have never heard of Jellybean before. Will have to look that one up. Glad you got it sorted Eggbert!

 

The Magic JellyBean http://magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Its great for finding the Product key of MS software such as XP and Office. It also finds some other product keys for various other bits of software. Won't let you know if its a legit one though, so you couldnt tell if the copy of the OS on a particular pc was illegal from it.

 

Second that it's a good little tool for getting your key off a PC.

 

Seconded. The old version (i got it years and years ago) was just so-so, but this new one is brilliant!