Windows Product Key

[Judahnator]

A while ago i had to do a reformat of a Windows Server. During the process, i lost the product key.

 

I got a notification that i am reaching the end of my 90 day trial period, and need to insert a key.

I have a system image from ages ago, with the registry and everything. Is is possible to copy the registry entries containing the product key from the image to the live machine? And if so, how?

 

Thanks,

 

~Judah

[Robin88]

Can't you just restore the system image? That would be the absolute easiest thing to do, all you would have to do once it's restored is to activate it via the system properties window, and away you go.
If not, then there is a few other methods, but  they are a bit involved and are very inelegant.

First one is the easiest, download VirtualBox and create a virtual machine for Windows Server, then point it to restore from the system image (this may not be possible depending on what you used to create the system image) once it is up and running, activate it through system properties and then in the virtual machine, download this program and run it to find your product key https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/
 

Once you've found it, write it down and delete the virtual machine, go to your main installation and follow these instructions to activate via direct connection http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/activate-windows#1TC=windows-7 if it doesn't work it'll ask you to phone the phone number and activate over the phone, you may need to speak to an advisor, just tell them what has happened and they should give you a code to enter into Windows, and then it should be activated.

If you can't use VirtualBox then you'll need to create a partition, it doesn't need to be very big, just make sure it's big enough to fit the installation plus about 10GB, and then restore the system image to that partition, once you've done that you can use the same method above to find your product key and enter it into your main installation. Once you've done that you can remove the partition, but you will probably need to fix the MBR so that you can still boot into your main installation.

I would strongly recommend you write your product keys in future and keep them somewhere safe, in fact, once you've found your product key, I would tape the product key to the inside of your case side panel or wherever is safest, but still easy to get to if you need it.

[tnlich]

Isnt there a 1-888 # to call and give them the code there?

[Robin88]

Isnt there a 1-888 # to call and give them the code there?

He lost the product key, and until he gets it back he can't phone that number, so he wants to know if there's any way of getting it back from his system image, and the only way he can activate Windows short of buying another license is to try and get the product key from his system image.

The only way I know of is what I mentioned above. Although, because he hasn't followed his topic he might never realise that someone has responded unless he remembers to check ^__^;

[fringie]

Restoring the image would the easiest way..

 

Otherwise you will have to extract the key from the registry (google it). I doubt you can just copy and paste registry files in without making the system unstable.

[UltimateHawkeye]

A while ago i had to do a reformat of a Windows Server. During the process, i lost the product key.

 

I got a notification that i am reaching the end of my 90 day trial period, and need to insert a key.

I have a system image from ages ago, with the registry and everything. Is is possible to copy the registry entries containing the product key from the image to the live machine? And if so, how?

 

Thanks,

 

~Judah

What version of the Windows Server is it?

[DEDRICK]

While I'm not condoning piracy, you could easily just pick up Daz Loader (the torrent version) and solve your problem.  You technically own your copy of windows, this would just make the problem go away

[tnlich]

I'm sorry!!! I'm still not understanding. If you formatted and used windows (say)7 to install. You skip the key entry . you have like 4-6 options 1 to re enter the key, to Buy another 1 and also to call the 800 number. Yea? I have done my reinstalls like this for awhile and never needed they key. When you go to the screen to call in it gives you a digits to key/talk to the Bot then after all the keys are entered it asks how many Computers you use this code on etc etc then it gives you the code back . You type it in as you go and windows is active. yea? Or am I missing the bus on this?  I normaly do . If so just tell me to shush and ill shush.

 

NVM I haven't played with Win Server. Must be more to the home . So sorry ill shush now

[WinNut]

You could write the system image to a random HDD and find the key there.

[legopc]

could someone remind me what extension windows uses for the actual image file thanks