how can I retrieve the license key from my software? all the documents i had and the cd is flooded and the license key on the sticker underneath my lappy is cannot be read anymore.... i want to reformat my laptop because it's going slow already... can you please help me?
Try Belarc Advisor, which will audit your computer and list your product keys amongst other things such as updates etc..
Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit
is it safe?
thank you very much! solved!
I am amused that you have marked the thread as solved.
Sorry to say that you are only getting into more problems for the following reasons.
1. If you are trying to reinstall Windows from any media other than the OEM's Recovery CD or OEM's Reinstall Disk for your laptop, you will require the COA key on the sticker to activate.
2. The key extracted by any of the keyfinders will be the OEM-SLP key which is used by the OEMs to do the token-based activation and with that key alone you will not be able to activate your new Windows installation.
Contact your OEM for the recovery Disks or Reinstall Disk. These will have the OEM SLP-key and the digitally signed Microsoft Certificate which coupled with the BIOS check on your laptop will auto-activate the Windows install as empowered to the OEMs by Microsoft.
EDIT:This is the only option available to you since you cannot read the COA-SLP key on the sticker. Microsoft will take cognizance of the COA-SLP key only which is unique to your laptop and not the generic OEM-SLP key. You will be redirected to your OEM even if you contact Microsoft.
Last edited by jumanji; 03 Mar 2012 at 08:02. Reason: Last paragraph added for clarity.
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