| You probably don't keep track of every original CD in | | | | another workstation unless you're using a |
| your home. So when it's time to reinstall Windows XP, | | | | Volume-Licensed version of Windows XP. That |
| what do you do? You can't just use any product key. | | | | means each Windows XP workstation in your |
| Don't panic. KeyRecover can find your computers | | | | organization has a different product key. |
| original product key. | | | | If you try to reinstall Windows XP and don't have your |
| Microsoft's new Windows Product Activation presents | | | | original product key or CD, you can't simply borrow |
| support techs with all sorts of new challenges, including | | | | one from another workstation. Normally, you'd have to |
| the need to have a valid product key to install, or | | | | obtain a new product key, meaning a new purchase |
| reinstall, Windows XP on workstations. But what do | | | | of Windows XP. Naturally, you don't want to do that |
| you do if you can't find the CD with the original key | | | | because you already have a copy of XP-you're just |
| that matches the machine you're working on? You | | | | missing the valid key that goes with your workstation. |
| can discover the key using KeyRecover. | | | | That's where KeyRecover comes in handy. |
| Why you need to know your product key | | | | In today's world of setup wizards and multi-megabyte |
| For years, Microsoft has been concerned about piracy | | | | downloads, KeyRecover is amazingly simple. The file |
| issues surrounding its products. In an effort to combat | | | | itself is small-only about 2 MB. Just run the program, |
| this, it came up with the concept of Windows Product | | | | either from the command line or by double-clicking it |
| Activation. When you install Windows XP on a | | | | from the folder you downloaded it to. When you do, |
| workstation, you must enter a 25-digit code from the | | | | your product key will appear along with other |
| original Windows XP CD during Setup. Setup takes this | | | | information suck as computer name and registered |
| information, mixes it with information it derives from the | | | | user. (I changed my product key in this image for |
| hardware configuration of the workstation, and | | | | security reasons.) |
| creates a code that it sends to Microsoft to validate | | | | That's all there is to it. Write down the number and |
| the installation. | | | | then you can reinstall Windows XP, or place the key in |
| This can cause problems for support techs, because | | | | a database where you won't lose it. KeyRecover |
| each product key can be used only one time. After | | | | Windows Edition is a handy tool to keep in your |
| the key has been activated, it can't be used on | | | | software utility toolbox. |