Is there any other way to retrieve your product key of windows 7?

kegobeer said:

Most of the time, when you buy a computer from Dell, HP, Samsung, etc, Windows was installed using a volume key. That means it isn't the same as the key that's stuck to the computer. It also means that the volume key probably won't work on anything other than a Dell, HP, Samsung branded computer.

For example, I have a Dell laptop. It has a COA affixed to it with a Windows key. However, the key actually used by Dell does not match this key, because the key is actually a volume license key. Legally, Dell must affix a COA with a valid key, and that key can't be the same as a key on any other computer. If I choose to reinstall Windows and not do a system restore using the Dell DVD or restore partition, I can use the key affixed to my computer.

In your particular case, as long as you do a Samsung restore you will never be required to enter a key.

--So it is okay to forget about that product key at the back of my laptop?

I say retrieve that key any way you can.

kegobeer said:

yes. If you can do a system restore and you don't have to enter a key, then you'll never need that key on your laptop. It's only there because microsoft requires all oems to put the coa sticker on the laptop/computer/etc.

-thanks

i have the same problem,but my laptop is dell so it requires the key when i reinstall windows,so if i used the key that is retrived by the keyfinder programs for my installed windows will it work properly?and if i want to get the key that is on the back of the laptop which is not clear,how can i do that?

jhenzk26 said:

Is there any other way to retrieve your product key of windows 7 because the product key at the back of my laptop is not clear anymore because I often touch that part when I am lifting my laptop. Is there any other way? Thanks :)

Piriform's Speccy system info software will tell you your key, under 'Operating System'. What it reports as the serial number is actually the product key.

hi jumanji ,

thanks for the info :) in fact the key is similar but not the same ! i tried to call the technical support but they didn't answer :/

The Product Key audited using a keyfinder on preinstalled Win7 is not the same as the Product Key on the COA sticker and cannot be used to Clean Reinstall.

Your options in that case are to run Factory Recovery from the HD, making sure you back up your Recovery disks first.

If Recovery from HD or Disks won't run try wiping the HD first before running the disks. If this fails you'll need to order disks from your OEM.

There is a method to back up the factory SLP activation file to reinstall it after a Clean Reinstall but it is not supported here by decision of the Administrators because it can be abused.