If you're preparing to reinstall an operating system (like a clean install of Windows) or reinstall another program, you will need to find your copy of the software's product key (CD key) - sometimes also referred to as a serial number.
Normally this product key is located with the original manual or CD. If you've lost your product key you can often find it in the Windows Registry but this can be very difficult to do. Luckily, there are many free key finder programs available to help.
Below are the top 6 free key finder programs.
1. Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder
The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder program is a free utility that retrieves product keys from the registry. It also has the ability to find product keys for Microsoft Office programs, along with product keys from many other non-Microsoft programs.
Advantages include very small size, ease of use, no installation required, instant display of product keys and multiple product key saving options.
Finds Keys for Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 98, and Windows 95.
Finds Keys for Other Software: Microsoft Office 2007, Office 2003, Office XP, and several non-Microsoft programs.
2. Winkeyfinder
The Winkeyfinder program is another free utility that retrieves product keys from the Windows registry.
Advantages include small program size, no installation required, and additional features such as a password generator, the ability to change registered user information, and activation backup capabilities.
Finds Keys for Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000, Windows ME, and Windows 98.
Finds Keys for Other Software: Microsoft Office 2007, Office 2003, Office XP and Office 2000 SP2, and Office 97.
3. RockXP
RockXP is another free program that retrieves lost product keys from the registry.
Advantages include small program size, no installation required, and additional features such as a password generator and password retriever.
Finds Keys for Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows XP.
Finds Keys for Other Software: Microsoft Office 2003 and Office 2007.
4. KeyFinder Pro
Gear Box's KeyFinder Pro 2007 is another fantastic utility that can find your Windows product keys. It can also find product keys for several Microsoft Office programs.
Advantages include a very small download size, no installation required, no compressed files to extract, and nothing to run. KeyFinder Pro instantly displays product keys and allows you to save or print them for safe keeping.
Finds Keys for Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, and Windows Vista.
Finds Keys for Other Software: Microsoft Office 2007, Office 2003, and Office XP.
5. Keyfinder Thing
Keyfinder Thing is another free, easy to use utility that finds product keys and serial numbers hidden in the Windows registry.
Advantages include small program size, nothing to run, and support for a large list of non-Microsoft programs.
Finds Keys for Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003 Server, and Windows Vista.
Finds Keys for Other Software: Microsoft Office 2007, Office 2003, Office XP, Microsoft Money, Nero 7, Corel Suite 11, The Sims 2, and many more programs.
6. WinGuggle
WinGuggle is a very simple key finder program. WinGuggle easily finds product keys for popular Microsoft Windows operating systems and several Microsoft Office programs.
Major advantages include a quick download size, no installation required, access to a few advanced tools, and a very simple interface. WinGuggle instantly displays your Windows and Office product keys.
Finds Keys for Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista.
Finds Keys for Other Software: Microsoft Office 2007, Office 2003, and Office XP.
Important Product Key Finder Information
If your system was purchased with Microsoft Windows pre-installed, and you have not reinstalled it or upgraded it yourself, the key finders on this page may only find the generic product key that your computer manufacturer used to install Windows.
This product key may not work when attempting to reinstall Windows. In this case, you must use the unique product key that is on the sticker attached to your computer case.
Can't find that sticker? You'll need to replace your product key.
