recover license keys for installed software

Do not confuse this with the ‘Product ID’ entry, which is unneeded. Make sure to record the information exactly, as the key will not work otherwise. Record this information in case you need to reference it in the future.

The key will be listed under ‘CD Key’ on the right side of the window.

Click the entry for your version of Microsoft Windows to reveal the key and other information about the installation.

When the scan is complete, the tool will display a window with entries in the left pane for whatever installed versions of Windows and Office it detected.

The program will scan your installations and find the product keys of supported programs, including various versions of Windows and Microsoft Office.

You can find it by opening the Start menu, typing keyfinder, and pressing Enter.

Download Magical Jelly Bean and follow the installation process to install it on your computer.

This utility can quickly locate your Windows key (along with the keys for many other installed programs) and display it for you. If you can’t find your key but the software is installed, you can use a program such as the Magical Jelly Bean Key Finder. Extract your key from Microsoft Windows or Office

That said, major upgrades like swapping out your motherboard are almost certainly guaranteed to require a call to Microsoft for activation. You will also have a digital entitlement if you paid for a Windows 10 upgrade via the Windows Store, or did a fresh install of Windows 10 and then paid for it via the Windows Store.

With Windows 10 Microsoft introduced a new method for authenticating the operating system called a digital entitlement, but it doesn’t apply to all Windows 10 PCs.īasically, you have a digital entitlement if you upgraded your PC from Windows 7 or 8.1 for free. If all else fails, you will need to contact Microsoft to obtain a replacement key. For Microsoft Office, you can find the sticker on the installation disc that accompanied the computer. If your computer came preloaded with Microsoft Windows, the software product key is usually on a multicolored, Microsoft-branded sticker on your PC case.

The key consists of 25 alphanumeric characters, usually split into groups of five. Retail Microsoft product keys are usually on a bright sticker located inside the case with the CD/DVD, or on the back. If you bought a retail copy of Microsoft Windows or Office, the first place to look is in the disc jewel case.

Recover license keys for installed software