Vista Tutorial - Product Key Number

**Brink**

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)?

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.

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)

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

bad_the_ba · 06-20-2008

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.

**Brink** · 06-20-2008

Thank you Bad_the_ba,

Shawn

**SIW2** · 08-24-2008

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

**Brink** · 08-25-2008

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

**SIW2** · 08-25-2008

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

**Brink** · 08-25-2008

Thank you SIW. I like that program better. The tutorial has been updated for it instead.