Cannot find Windows 7 Product Key?

haroldj97

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Jun 9, 2013
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I am planning to install an SSD in a system that currently has Windows 7 Professional installed on a hard drive. I want to do a fresh install of Windows 7, not clone the current installation. However, the product key is no longer fixed to the side of the system and I don't have the original box (do have an ISO that i will use to re-install). When using Belarc Advisor, KeyFinder etc. all of them show the product key to BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB. I'm not too sure why and was wondering if there is any other way to find the product key? Windows is showing as activated and with a product ID.
 
Solution
a custom pc that a keyfinder utility can't pull a key from most likely was a cracked version of windows. in which case you'll need to buy a new key to use it.

some pre-built pc's had the key in the BIOS but that won't be the case for a custom one. even a volume key would still be retrievable most of the time.

i'd ask your friend a few questions about where that windows came from in the fist place and i'd bet some cash it was not a legit source.
if it's not able to find the key with a key maker then it may be some kind of volume licence key that are normally only used in a business environment or your friend used some kind of cracking software to activate it. some pre-built computers store the windows licencing info in the BIOS now but since you're saying this is a custom built PC i doubt it would be in there
 

Math Geek

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a custom pc that a keyfinder utility can't pull a key from most likely was a cracked version of windows. in which case you'll need to buy a new key to use it.

some pre-built pc's had the key in the BIOS but that won't be the case for a custom one. even a volume key would still be retrievable most of the time.

i'd ask your friend a few questions about where that windows came from in the fist place and i'd bet some cash it was not a legit source.
 
Solution