Find Windows 7, XP Product Key the Easy Way
Posted on February 2, 2010 at 5:30 am
Those of us who install or update our operating systems through downloads rarely remember to write down the product key. Or, if we do remember to write it down, you can almost bet we will misplace the Post-it where we scribbled it.
So, to save us all the heartache of not having that expensive product key in the event of a system crash, let’s all recover our Windows 7 or XP keys right now and save them to an external hard drive, or at least a USB drive. Here’s the easiest way to do it:
Go to WinKeyFinder.com and download the Simple Keyfinder. It is a very small 38k zip file. The product information says it works with Windows 2000, 2003, XP, and Vista, but we tested it in Windows 7 and it worked like a charm.
Double-click the zip file you just downloaded and choose extract all files at the top of the menu.
In the menu that appears, browse to choose a place for Simple Keyfinder to extract, then click extract at the bottom right off the window. Make sure the box is checked next to Show extracted files when complete.
A new window will appear listing the contents of the unzipped file. Double-click SimpleKey_Finder. If windows gives you a warning screen, click run.
This will open a window telling you your product key.
Don’t worry about writing it down—the program creates a text file containing the product key in the same folder where you extracted it. By default, the file is named WinKeyFinder_found_Key.
Save this file to an external hard drive or USB drive so you will have it if you need it. System crashes occur more often than any of us like to admit, but now we will all be prepared to restore our operating systems.
» Filed Under Computer Tips
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Hi,
Thanks for a interesting tip. I actually dug up my Windows 7 installation disk to copy the number. Then I realized that having the number is really no good without the disk (after a crash) and the disk has the number on the jacket.
So I felt less like I needed to download this app. If my system failed, how would the key help me without the disk? Would I have to borrow a disk from someone?
Also, my disk is labeled “for use only as an upgrade to a qualifying dell windows 7 upgrade option.” Would my installation disk even work somewhere else (with the key, of course)? Or is the text just a hollow warning?
Thanks, as always,
Nick Simonelli
Hey Nick! If you don’t have the disk and you were to crash, you can borrow one or download the program (in most cases). Finding a copy of the OS is nowhere near as hard as finding a key.
You have created a disk to recover your system in the event of a crash, right? Most manufacturers have a way to make one. Dell usually just includes one: http://support.dell.com/suppor.....doclang=en
Anyway, you would need the windows key with the restore disk.
Katie, The Simple Keyfinder I dl’ed was a 43 KB file with 3 files: 2 text and the 193KB app.
I click and a millisecond box comes and goes. Nothing else. Did it as Admin just in case. Nope.
Have Win7 Ultimate x64.
Anybody else with similar results?
Hmmm… I’m using Win 7 Ultimate 32. Husband tried it on Vista Business, worked fine. Did it create the txt file in that same folder?
Nice one! Very helpful for finding product keys for Windows operating systems!
Thank you very much! it is very useful! There’s also a software that does this at
password-genius.com/how-to/how-to-recover-my-windows-7-product-key.html.
The advantage is that it can even find out your Windows system CD Key when your Windows can’t startup. Also, this software will find many other keys like office XP, office 2007 and more .
Clifford…I had the same results in Win 7 x64 it comes and goes in milliseconds and does not produce any note document. So i tried it in a command window and then it gives me the error message that the registry is corrupt. So I don’t think it works on x64 systems at this time.
Another program you can use to find Windows 7 product key is Magical Jelly Bean KeyFinder:
magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder
If you purchase a major manufacturer pre-configured computer and don’t take the time to reinstall the operating system with the computer supplied key before it is deployed, the key you will extract is the manufacturer’s ‘install’ key that will (in my experience) not validate or activate upon reinstall. In some cases, it would not even allow for a reinstall using manufacturer’s original installation media.
Our recommendation: Find your key, write it down before you can’t read it off of the sticker.
Joseph Hume
F1 for HELP
What to do when you had a friend build a computer for you and you had an accident that fried all major parts so you rebuild slightly different. Now when you use the original disk and key #, but microsoft will not accept it? Thank you. Bob W.
You can call microsoft and they will give you a new key. I activtaed the Office program I got with my new computer, then decided to format and install a clean copy of the operating system to get rid of all the junk Dell adds and when I tried to re-activate office it was declined, I call Microsoft and explained the situation and they gave me a new key.
If you had a legitimate version of Windows, always call Microsoft and they will give you another key. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten a new key without having to buy anything.
Hi friend i’m using windows 7 ultimate. It ‘ll be expire with in next 7 days. If u have product key please send it to my email id Vinogeorge07@gmail.com. Help me please
Thank you very much! it’s very useful! There’s also a software that does this at windows-key-finder.com. The advantage is that it can even find out your Windows system CD Key when your Windows can’t startup.Also, This software will find many other keys like office XP, office 2007 and more.