All Microsoft Windows operating system versions require the entry of unique product keys during the installation process. Below are examples of what these product keys look like:
- Windows 8: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
- Windows 7: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
- Windows Server 2008: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
- Windows Vista: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
- Windows Server 2003: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
- Windows XP: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
- Windows 2000: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
- Windows ME: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
- Windows 98: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
- Windows NT: xxxxx-xxx-xxxxxxx-xxxxx
- Windows 95: xxxxx-xxx-xxxxxxx-xxxxx
Important: See my Windows Product Key FAQ for more information about Windows keys.
Many other operating systems and most other programs from nearly every software maker require product keys. Some, including Microsoft, often require product activation in addition to product keys to help further ensure that software is obtained legally.
Since product keys are required during installation, finding that you've lost a product key could be a serious problem if you need to reinstall a program. Luckily, there are a number of ways to retrieve lost product keys:
Find Microsoft Windows Product Keys
Find Microsoft Office Product Keys
Find CD Keys Using a Free Key Finder Program
Find CD Keys Using a Premium Key Finder Program
Important Note: The unique product key entered for an operating system or a software program is typically stored in an encrypted format in the Windows Registry, making finding one very difficult without some help. The above linked guides should help find just about any CD key you may be looking for.
