If you're preparing to reinstall Windows 7 you will need to locate your unique Windows 7 product key, also sometimes called the Windows 7 serial key, activation key, or CD key.
- The problem is that it will only return the SLP key used at the factory, which is not valid to activate Windows by itself. Unless the key was ever typed in (manually activated after an install with Retail media, for example), the correct key will not be returned by those utilities.
- On Windows 7, press Windows + R, type “cmd” into the Run dialog, and then press Enter. At the Command Prompt, type the following command and then press Enter: wmic bios get serialnumber. You’ll see the computer’s serial number displayed beneath the text “SerialNumber”.
Normally, this product key is on a sticker on your computer or located with the manual or on the disc sleeve that came with Windows 7. However, if you don't have a physical copy of your product key, that doesn't mean it's gone forever.
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Fortunately, a copy of your Windows 7 key is stored in the registry. It's encrypted, meaning it's not easily readable, but there are several free programs that can help fix that problem in less than 15 minutes.
Confused? Check out our Windows Product Keys FAQ for more information about product keys and how they work in Windows.
The manual techniques used to locate the product key for older versions of Windows won't work in Windows 7. Those manual procedures will only locate the product ID number for Windows 7, not the actual product key used for installation. So if you've done this kind of thing before in Windows XP or Vista, you'll need to instead use the process outlined below.
Follow the steps below to locate your Windows 7 product key code:
How to Find Your Windows 7 Product Key
Manually locating the Windows 7 product key from the registry is nearly impossible due to the fact that it's encrypted so you'll need to use a product key finder program to extract it.
Choose a free product key finder program from this list that supports Windows 7.
Any product key finder that locates Windows 7 product keys will locate the product keys for any version of Windows 7: Ultimate, Enterprise, Professional, Home Premium, Home Basic, and Starter.
Download and run the key finder program. Follow any instructions provided by the software.
The numbers and letters displayed by the program represent the Windows 7 product key.
To be clear, thta's five sets of five letters and numbers.
Write this key code down exactly as the program displays it to you. Most keyfinder tools let you export the key to a text file or copy it to the clipboard.
If even one character is written down incorrectly, the installation of Windows 7 that you attempt with this product key will fail. Be sure to transcribe the key exactly!
You can now reinstalling Windows 7 using that product key!
A Few More Options
If you need to install the Windows 7 operating system but you still can't find your Windows 7 product key, even with a product key finder, you have two choices:
The first thing to try would be to request a replacement product key from Microsoft, which should cost you around $10 USD. This doesn't always work out, but it's worth a shot.
If that doesn't get you anywhere, you're left with purchasing a brand new copy of Windows 7 from NewEgg, or some other retailer.
Serial keys for software programs, more accurately called product keys or installation keys, are needed before you can install almost any popular software program.
Serial keys or key codes are often required during the first part of a program's installation or sometimes after using a program for a certain period of time.
So what do you do when you can't find that special installation code but you need to install the program again?
Where Can I Find Serial Keys and Installation Codes for My Software?
Windows 7 Ultimate Product Key Generator
Without a doubt, a key finder program - a special kind of software tool - is the best way to go if you're lost a serial key for one of your software programs, so long as it's still installed or recently was.
Product key finder programs are software tools that automatically search your computer for the serial keys stored in the Windows Registry or elsewhere on your computer.
For example, when you installed your operating system and other software, the product keys used during their installations were stored, probably encrypted, inside a specific registry key.
See our article on free product key finder software programs for a ranked and reviewed collection of these very handy tools, all of which are free to download, install, and use.
Now, you could manually look in the registry for the serials and install keys yourself, but they can be very hard to find. Not only that, the stored keys are usually encrypted, making what you dig up there completely useless anyway.
Most product key finder programs were originally designed to find the serial numbers and key codes for operating systems like Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, etc., but many of them find serials and keys for many other programs, too, like office suites, video games, and more.
What If the Program I'm Missing the Serial Key for Isn't Installed Anymore?
Free Windows 7 Serial Key
Even if you think, or know, the program you've lost the key for isn't installed on your computer anymore, you should still try one of the higher rated product key finder tools in our list.
Sometimes,a program will leave the registry keys that contain that program's serial key in the registry even after it's uninstalled, which is why this is worth a try. This isn't usually the case when the program was removed with a dedicated software uninstaller, but it's still worth a try.
If that doesn't work, you're left with digging around for the box the software came in, the email that accompanied the download, etc.
What If I Still Can't Find the Installation Code I'm After?
Unfortunately, at this point, your only legal option is to buy a new copy of the program.
In your search for help with lost serial keys, you've probably come across software cracking tools, keygen programs or maybe even lists of free key codes, there for the taking.
It's very important to realize that none of those resources are legal ways of obtaining installation keys or any other unique code designed to protect programs from being pirated.
The only legal way of installing software is by using a valid installation code obtained through a legal purchase of the software program.