Recovering a Windows OS instalation key

[five.five-six]

One of my boxes, my laptop, got a worm. It's pretty bad, it's bast norton and lavasoft. I can't even address my machine to internal software for configuring cameras without several popups offering to sell me cameras


I have decided to format the HD, actually replace it with a SSD, but I do not have my original Win7 disk or the key. The OS is a legal and licensed copy, how can I go about retrieving that?

[five.five-six]

Turns out that it was born a vista box

[meaty-btz]

There is a program whose name escapes me at the moment that can recover your installation's (assuming it works) key from the registry hive..

Now ...

Nope. can't recall. Look round it's out there. I've used one several times.

Here is a little secret though...

If the box has the branded bit of a big box brand.. then any win-7 disk from that same brand will auth on that box. Mostly because key is irrelevant on the major brand as it is "pre-authorized" and "without limit". Only applies to those brands that are considered OEMs with MS.

HP, Dell, etc.

It is actually more "complicated" than that but it has to do with the BIOS and some cannot auto-auth but it's pretty rare and found only on lower end big brand machines or small brand models. That only applies to home vs pro win 7.. though ultimate home will auth without the bios bit. Still requires a "branded" bios though.

Confused yet?

[five.five-six]

It's a Compaq 6510b, I have no idea where to get a disk. It's an older machine but it served my purposes well (I have an external battery and a docking station) until it got sick.

[five.five-six]

Turns out that it was born a vista box

And there is a key on the sticker on it.

[sl0re10]

One of my boxes, my laptop, got a worm. It's pretty bad, it's bast norton and lavasoft. I can't even address my machine to internal software for configuring cameras without several popups offering to sell me cameras


I have decided to format the HD, actually replace it with a SSD, but I do not have my original Win7 disk or the key. The OS is a legal and licensed copy, how can I go about retrieving that?

Did you have system restore on? You might be able to jump to a restore point from before the worm. Its doesn't always work but it has for me a couple times.

[sl0re10]

Windows key extractor

but you probably won't need it if you have a compaq cd

[five.five-six]

Windows key extractor

but you probably won't need it if you have a compaq cd

I found the key... problem is that I can't find the CD

[rgray]

When you say older, how old? Most major PC manufacturers put the install CDs on a hidden partition on your drive. When booting, I think you press F8 and it should give you a recovery option where you can wipe the machine and restore to factory default. No Windows key is required. Do a search for your brand and model and the proper F key should be within a simple google search. I have a done it numerous times with Dell and HP and it is pretty effortless once you get the proper function key to start the process.

[five.five-six]

When you say older, how old? Most major PC manufacturers put the install CDs on a hidden partition on your drive. When booting, I think you press F8 and it should give you a recovery option where you can wipe the machine and restore to factory default. No Windows key is required. Do a search for your brand and model and the proper F key should be within a simple google search. I have a done it numerous times with Dell and HP and it is pretty effortless once you get the proper function key to start the process.

Will that clear a worm?

[rgray]

Yes. The windows CDs are on a non-user partition so they are protected. During the process, your hard drive is reformatted and windows is then reinstalled. Worms should go bye bye. Your first software install should be a virus program...I always recommend Microsoft Security Essentials as it is free, not bloat ware, and they are not trying to sell anything. It also works. I don't remember if the restore process allows for a full wipe during the reformat process. If you can do it, do a full wipe, it takes much longer, but it ensures your old data is gone.

[antiseen]

I'd just nuke it. That's what I do if I ever run into nasty things like that.

You can probably find an iso download of the windows cd you need and burn it to disk. That's assuming you have a clean pc/DVD Burner.

[ldsnet]

You are SOL. The recovery disk that matches the ident sticker on the laptop was probably a partition on the old drive (that you removed and replaced with the SSD).

Now, what OS was on it, and what are you trying to restore? Vista? WinXP Win7? If the machine is of the age that it shipped with Vista and rolled to XP; XP is no longer supported and I doubt you have the horsepower to run Win7 or Win8.

Now would be a good time to do a bit of research and try Linux. Its free and likes older hardware. With the cost of laptops these days, you can easily spend more on replacing the OS from Microsoft than the cost of a new machine with Win8.1 already installed (and no hassles). Good Luck!

[five.five-six]

Your first software install should be a virus program...I always recommend Microsoft Security Essentials as it is free, not bloat ware, and they are not trying to sell anything.

I always use Microsoft Security Essentials and lavasoft as a backup.

[sl0re10]

I found the key... problem is that I can't find the CD

Oh. If its the same version and edition (home, enterprise, et cetera) you can use another disk.

If it was HPs disk; they sell them cheap if you need a replacement.

If it was not; I had technet. I might be able to burn you one if I can still do downloads. Go to computer properties and get all the info. Windows 7, 32 or 64 bit, and what edition.