Windows 7: Product Key Number for Windows 7 - Find and See

I ran the key finder Showkey Plus and it returned a product key number different from the product key number on the sticker on the side of my desktop unit. I bought the computer new from Best Buy. I tried the Check Product Key option and input the number from the sticker and it returned the correct product.

I'm having problems installing SP1 and in another thread am getting help to resolve that issue. One potential solution appears to be a clean install. Since I'm showing two product keys, will this be an issue? Which should I use if I end up having to re-install Win 7?

That's exactly how it should be, the key that isn't the one on the sticker is only used by the manufacturer, you can't use it to do a clean install, it's on thousands of PC's if not more.

If you want or need to do a clean install or even a repair install you need to use the key on the COA sticker, that is unique to your machine and the only one that will activate legally.

You shouldn't have any problems using the key on the COA sticker.

Hmm that is odd Derek as I run the Showkey and MJB and I get the exact code on both and the code I got from the retailer because this machine was a downgrade to 7 from 8.1 - does that make a difference??

Yes that makes a difference John.

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I just ran both Magical Jelly Bean Finder and ShowKey and they both showed a placeholder for my Win7 key. (BBBBB-BBBBB-...)

Any advice?

I'm looking to do a reinstall and want to make sure I use the right one. I do have a list of keys, but I was a student for several years and got several copies through the MS student program. I kept a folder with all the receipts but am not 100% sure which one I need to use for my main machine.

Hi ProfDLP,

Thats a MAK key, which makes sense as you got it via your college.
MS had to create these along side volume keys for NON-EUFI installs


Try the MGdiag tool, it may provide the last 3 blocks, then youll know
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=52012

If it doesnt PM Superfly on W10, he might have another version that can retrieve the key.


Roy

Thank you, torchwood, that did the trick!

It gave me the last five characters, confirming that my old notes were still accurate. (I graduated five years ago.)

Now I have to make sure I use the right disc. I thought I had marked it but after four moves I may have set it aside and...well, you know how that goes. I have images of all the downloads I got through the student program and had tried to match the keys to them as I got the various software through the program, but apparently not that one. Most of the ones I got were used in various VM's for school projects. One of the programs I tried for the key gave me a product number, so with a little sleuthing I am sure I can figure it out.

MS has (or at least had) a very generous program for bona fide students. During my time in school I got lots of freebies. I had a paid-for copy of W7pro upgrade but the last time I went to use it for a repair install it didn't like it. (Perhaps because I had slipstreamed SP1 in there?) I grabbed a free full version I got cheap through school ($30) and used that. Then over the next few years I found out I could buy another copy. Too much of a good thing can be almost as bad as not enough, I guess.