Extracting Windows Key
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I am in need of a utility program to extract the windows key. I unfortunately do not have any information about this PC as it's a brand new contract and they "don't know even the basics of computer". They are infected with ransomware and I will likely need to format the HD. What do you guys use to accomplish this? I know that the bios has the key, but I want to extract it before I do anything just to be sure I have the correct information.
If there is a better way to do this any advice is appreciated.
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Belarc advisor will pull they keys up to Win 7, not sure after that.
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@rojoloco is that capable of pulling it from the bios?
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Do you know if its a OEM Windows install? Windows should automatically get activated.
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@black3dynamite I don't know anything which is frustrating. I assume it is but I want to be prepared.
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@wirestyle22 I'm not sure how it finds the key, but IIRC it didn't work on win 8/8.1, so I have basically abandoned the program.
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bleh. I really don't want to just hope this works. this company has no documentation at all and are literally incapable of following direction
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If the machine originally came with Windows 7, it's really time for the company to replace it instead of fixing it.. the cost of fixing isn't worth it.
That said - Personally, if Belarc can't get it itself, I'd consider it BIOS based and wouldn't move any harder to retrieve it. Also make sure it's not on the box/laptop, under a battery, etc.
Then reinstall - assuming this is the goal.
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@dashrender said in Extracting Windows Key:
If the machine originally came with Windows 7, it's really time for the company to replace it instead of fixing it.. the cost of fixing isn't worth it.
That said - Personally, if Belarc can't get it itself, I'd consider it BIOS based and wouldn't move any harder to retrieve it. Also make sure it's not on the box/laptop, under a battery, etc.
Then reinstall - assuming this is the goal.
I don't get to decide unfortunately. I was just told to go there tomorrow and was given basically zero information.
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@wirestyle22 said in Extracting Windows Key:
@dashrender said in Extracting Windows Key:
If the machine originally came with Windows 7, it's really time for the company to replace it instead of fixing it.. the cost of fixing isn't worth it.
That said - Personally, if Belarc can't get it itself, I'd consider it BIOS based and wouldn't move any harder to retrieve it. Also make sure it's not on the box/laptop, under a battery, etc.
Then reinstall - assuming this is the goal.
I don't get to decide unfortunately. I was just told to go there tomorrow and was given basically zero information.
Perhaps while you're finding out how to recover a key (you're billing for this time, right?) ask who has the authority to approve replacing the PC as well.
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@dashrender said in Extracting Windows Key:
@wirestyle22 said in Extracting Windows Key:
@dashrender said in Extracting Windows Key:
If the machine originally came with Windows 7, it's really time for the company to replace it instead of fixing it.. the cost of fixing isn't worth it.
That said - Personally, if Belarc can't get it itself, I'd consider it BIOS based and wouldn't move any harder to retrieve it. Also make sure it's not on the box/laptop, under a battery, etc.
Then reinstall - assuming this is the goal.
I don't get to decide unfortunately. I was just told to go there tomorrow and was given basically zero information.
Perhaps while you're finding out how to recover a key (you're billing for this time, right?) ask who has the authority to approve replacing the PC as well.
I always recommend it but all of our contracts are cheap. It's insane how cheap.
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@black3dynamite said in Extracting Windows Key:
Q: Can I retrieve the product key from a non-booting Windows installation?
As long as both Windows versions are 2000, XP, 2003, or Vista, you can use the Load Hive function. You will have to slave the drive and point the Keyfinder to the non-booting Windows directory.I'm making the assumption that this is a worst case scenario
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It is usually in the BIOS but you can use this tool as below:
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@dbeato said in Extracting Windows Key:
It is usually in the BIOS but you can use this tool as below:
For all I know they could've had these PC's built and pro is installed on them. No idea. It would be nice if they have a windows 10 machine.
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@wirestyle22 said in Extracting Windows Key:
@black3dynamite said in Extracting Windows Key:
Q: Can I retrieve the product key from a non-booting Windows installation?
As long as both Windows versions are 2000, XP, 2003, or Vista, you can use the Load Hive function. You will have to slave the drive and point the Keyfinder to the non-booting Windows directory.I'm making the assumption that this is a worst case scenario
If you can't boot the machine - yes, this would be a worst case scenario. This is a case where you slave up the drive to another PC, then you have side load the registry off the old drive.
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@dashrender said in Extracting Windows Key:
@wirestyle22 said in Extracting Windows Key:
@black3dynamite said in Extracting Windows Key:
Q: Can I retrieve the product key from a non-booting Windows installation?
As long as both Windows versions are 2000, XP, 2003, or Vista, you can use the Load Hive function. You will have to slave the drive and point the Keyfinder to the non-booting Windows directory.I'm making the assumption that this is a worst case scenario
If you can't boot the machine - yes, this would be a worst case scenario. This is a case where you slave up the drive to another PC, then you have side load the registry off the old drive.
I'm betting those are all things I will have to do
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@wirestyle22 said in Extracting Windows Key:
@dashrender said in Extracting Windows Key:
@wirestyle22 said in Extracting Windows Key:
@black3dynamite said in Extracting Windows Key:
Q: Can I retrieve the product key from a non-booting Windows installation?
As long as both Windows versions are 2000, XP, 2003, or Vista, you can use the Load Hive function. You will have to slave the drive and point the Keyfinder to the non-booting Windows directory.I'm making the assumption that this is a worst case scenario
If you can't boot the machine - yes, this would be a worst case scenario. This is a case where you slave up the drive to another PC, then you have side load the registry off the old drive.
I'm betting those are all things I will have to do
Again, you are so far into the cost of a new machine at that point - you shouldn't be repairing this one. I hope you've already talked to all powers that be so you know how to proceed.
I can send you a bill for $500 and you'll have a 10+ year old machine that's fixed for now.. or we can spend $1200 and get a NEW computer and get it setup for the user.
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Just went through this with a system my brother was working on. Non bootable. This product will pull it from the Registry Hive. just have to pull up the drive as an external.
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@gjacobse thanks very much
