Win2000 Installation CD Key in registry? 3

[bitwise]

Does anyone know where in the CURRENT version of Windows 2000 Pro SP4 the cd key is stored in the registry? I know about the program:

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

However, I would like to actually know where the key is stored in the registry. Anyone know?

Thanks!
-bitwise

 

[straybullet]

Found mine in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/MICROSOFT/WINDOWS/CURRENTVERSION/ProductID

Let them hate - so long as they fear... Lucius Accius

 

[bitwise]

Hey straybullet, you just found the ProductID, NOT the CD key for installing Windows. You can find the ProductID just by right-clicking 'My Computer' and selecting 'Properties'. Anyway, I'm looking for the CD key, which is a 25-character alphanumeric value.

Thanks,
-bitwise

 

[Jsteve]

Stray was almost correct

It should be:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/MICROSOFT/WINDOWS/CURRENTVERSION/Productkey

I searched the first five numbers/letters of my product key and found it )in XP) at this location

 

[wolluf]

Jsteve - I've not got that registry key on my (2k or XP)installations (and have never managed to find the key by searching the registry!)

 

[bitwise]

Hey Jsteve, that may work for XP, but not for 2000. I've tried searching the registry by using the valid key, but it is not found. The CD Key in 2000 must be encrypted, in binary, hexadecimal, or in some other format other than plain text. Anyway, I've searched and looked but can't seem to find it in the registry anywhere. If anyone finds it let me know.

Thanks,
-bitwise

 

[wolluf]

Have you tried emailing jellybean@magicaljellybean.com and asking if they know?

 

[bitwise]

Go idea wolluf...ok, I emailed him/her. If I figure it out, I'll post it.

-bitwise

 

[Jsteve]

try this link

http://pcsupport.about.com/cs/pctutorials/a/lostkey_2.htm

 

[bitwise]

Jsteve, I took a look at the article, but it only said that the key is encrypted (something I suspected), and that to get the key you should use jelly bean key finder (something I already have). If that be the case, where is the encrypted key stored? That's all I want to know.

Thanks,
-bitwise

 

[lobsterman]

Try looking HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version. I think it's the Digital Product ID

 

[Jsteve]

ok, I found where it is stored

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/MICROSOFT/WINDOWSNT/CURRENTVERSION/DigitalproductID

http://alphacomps.com/tools/keyviewer/keyviewer.php

This link gives you a little bit more info and a utility to decode the RAW code.

 

[dearingkr]

that key is not in my win2k pc

MCSE CCNA CCDA

 

[bitwise]

Jsteve, that is the one! Thanks. I suspected that value, but didn't know what portion of it was the actual CD Key. I wonder why Microsoft is so up-tight about displaying the CD Key in plain text. I mean, it is still easy to get.

Thanks,
-bitwise