Windows Vista Forums
Vista Forums Home Join Vista Forums Windows 7 Forum Vista Tutorials Tags

Welcome to Windows Vista Forums. Our forum is dedicated to helping you find solutions with any problems, errors or issues you are experiencing with Windows Vista. The Vista forum also covers news and updates and has an extensive Vista tutorial section that covers a wide range of tips and tricks.

Go Back   Vista Forums > Vista Forums > Tutorials

Vista Tutorial - Product Key Number

Comment
 
LinkBack Tutorial Tools Display Modes
<!-- google_ad_section_start -->Product Key Number<!-- google_ad_section_end -->
Product Key Number
How to See The Product Key in Vista
Published by Brink
08-14-2007

How to See the Product Key in Vista

Information
  The product key number is a sequence of 25 letters and numbers. The number is divided into 5 groups of 5 characters each. During Vista installation, you must enter the product key number to activate Vista.
NOTE
 
  • A Express or Retail Vista can be installed on any one computer at a time for as many times as you like. A OEM Vista may only be able to be installed on the exact same computer as many times as you like. The product key number for the Vista 32 bit version is the same one for it's 64 bit version. You can only have the Product Key activated on one computer and version of 32 bit or 64 bit Vista at a time. If you had the product key activated on one computer and made some hardware changes to it (EX: Motherboard) or decided to use it on another computer, then you will have to remove it from the old computer and do a phone activation.
  • You can usually find the product key on the back of your OEM computer or on the retail installation disc holder inside the Vista package. Look for a sticker that looks like one of these below.
  • For the license terms for Vista, see: Microsoft: License Terms for Software Licensed from Microsoft
Tip
  You can tell if you have a OEM or Retail Vista by looking at the product key number. x = a random number or letter
  • OEM - xxxxx-oemxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
    NOTE: Will also include OEM on the Vista Product Key Stickers. See examples below.
  • Retail - xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
RELATED LINKS:
EXAMPLE: Windows Vista Product Key Stickers
NOTE: These are the stickers that you can usually find the Vista product key number on. It will usually be located on the back of your OEM computer or in the package material that came with your retail Vista DVD. For more examples, see: Microsoft How to Tell: What is a Certificate of Authenticity (COA)?
Name:  Retail.jpg
Views: 19256
Size:  4.6 KBName:  OEM.jpg
Views: 19263
Size:  14.3 KB

coa.jpg
EXAMPLE: Windows Activation Number in System Properties
WARNING: The Product ID number displayed here in Vista is not your Product Key number.
NOTE: To see this, right click Computer (Start menu) and click Properties, or open the Control Panel (Classic View) and click System. Scroll to the bottom.
activated.jpg

Here's How:
NOTE
  This is perfect if you lost the product key and need to get it from your installed Vista.
WARNING
  If you reinstalled Vista or did not activate or type in the product key number after you installed Vista the first time, then this will not be able to show you the number since you did not enter it.
1. Go to this link below for the program SIW System Information for Windows by Topala Software Solutions, and click on the Download link on the toolbar.

Link > SIW | System Information for Windows by Gabriel Topala

2. Once the siw.exe file is downloaded and saved to the desktop, click on the siw.exe icon to run it. (See screenshot below)

Name:  Icon.jpg
Views: 15986
Size:  3.3 KB

3. Click on Allow for UAC prrompt.
4. After a few seconds, you will see this window below. (See screenshot below)
5. In the left pane, click on Licenses to see your Windows Vista product key number in it under Resource Name.


That's it,
Shawn
Published by
Brink's Avatar
Administrator

Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 23,763
Rep Power: 150
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute

Tutorial Tools
Show Printable Version Show Printable Version
Email this Page Email this Page

Applies to
All Vista Versions
64 Bit & 32 Bit

Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

Old 06-20-2008  
bad_the_ba
Member


Join Date: May 2008
Vista Business x64
wolverine MICHIGAN territory
 
Rep Power: 10
bad_the_ba is on a distinguished road
  bad_the_ba is offline

Re: Product Key Number

Maybe you should add to this that some of the programs listed on your list of free Vista compatible apps ( Free Software List for Vista ) will show the same things. Programs that audit the system, such as Astra or Belarc. Great job on your help here.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 06-20-2008  
Brink's Avatar
Brink
Administrator



Join Date: Apr 2007
Vista x64 Ultimate SP2
Texas, USA
 
Rep Power: 150
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute
  Brink is offline

Re: Product Key Number

Thank you Bad_the_ba,

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 08-24-2008  
SIW2
Master




Join Date: Jul 2008
VISTA HOME PREMIUM X64/ 7 x64 / 7x86
 
Rep Power: 93
SIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond repute
  SIW2 is offline

Re: Product Key Number

Hi Shawn,

McAfee site advisor gives the download link in the tutorial a red light.

http://www.siteadvisor.com/sites/rjl...os_ver=6.0.1.0

Ashampoo WinOptimser will display product key and contains a lot more useful tools. It's also free, just check get product key when you run it, and it takes to their site for a free key.

Ashampoo WinOptimizer 4 - Downloads - freeware, shareware, software trials, evaluation - Atomic v2.6 - Maximum Power Computing - www.atomicmpc.com.au


SIW2

Last edited by SIW2; 08-24-2008 at 11:15 PM..
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 08-25-2008  
Brink's Avatar
Brink
Administrator



Join Date: Apr 2007
Vista x64 Ultimate SP2
Texas, USA
 
Rep Power: 150
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute
  Brink is offline

Re: Product Key Number

Hi SIW2,

I do not know about the other programs or links from that site, but this program is safe. I have ran a scan on both downloads with Avast, and I have had no alerts on them. A lot of other popular sites recommends this program as well.

Vista Product Key Viewer - Google Search

Thank you for bringing this up though.

Shawn
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 08-25-2008  
SIW2
Master




Join Date: Jul 2008
VISTA HOME PREMIUM X64/ 7 x64 / 7x86
 
Rep Power: 93
SIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond reputeSIW2 has a reputation beyond repute
  SIW2 is offline

Re: Product Key Number

Hi Shawn,

Just thought I'd better mention it in case someone visited the site and got alarmed by McAfee.

You won't be surprised to learn I use SIW to reveal my product and license keys, and a lot more besides. It's a small 1.5mb executable - you might like to check it out if you don't already know the program, it's also free.

SIW | System Information for Windows by Gabriel Topala


Thanks

SIW2
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 08-25-2008  
Brink's Avatar
Brink
Administrator



Join Date: Apr 2007
Vista x64 Ultimate SP2
Texas, USA
 
Rep Power: 150
Brink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond reputeBrink has a reputation beyond repute
  Brink is offline

Re: Product Key Number

Thank you SIW. I like that program better. The tutorial has been updated for it instead.
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Comment

Tags
general tips, key, product

Tutorial Tools
Display Modes


Similar Threads
Tutorial Tutorial Starter Category Comments Last Post
Product ID Number incorrect ? hansh Vista account administration 3 01-28-2008 04:09 AM
Product ID Number Shonica Polite Vista mail 2 09-12-2007 10:28 PM
The product ID number you entered is not valid or is not in the co Ken Lyon Vista General 3 03-13-2007 04:51 PM
Product Number Tommo Vista installation & setup 2 03-05-2007 02:31 AM
The product ID number you entered is not valid Sullyfoos Vista account administration 2 02-25-2007 06:22 PM


Vista Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized,
sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation.
"Windows Vista", the Start Orb, and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.
© Designer Media Ltd
Tutorial powered by GARS 2.1.8m ©2005-2006