THE BOOK LOVER

Most pieces of retail software come with some form from protection to deter unauthorised copying and installation. Although software makers use different methods to achieve which goal, one common approach involves asking the user to type in a product key or serial number.

This variable-length train of letters and/or numbers appears to be random gibberish at a glance, but it’s actually a unique identifier that the software decodes to verify that your copy is legal. Typically you have to enter that product key to obtain your authorization during the software’s installations, and many companies also use it to ensure your eligibility for product support after installation, so it’s important to know where it is and how to access it.

Here are some easy techniques to find your program key for both Windows so Microsoft Office. (Windows 7)

Find Your Product Key

Try to recall how you purchased your Microsoft software, which determines where you need to check to find the device key.

If you bought a merchandising copy of Microsoft Windows or Office, the first place to look is in the disc jewel case. Retail Microsoft object keys are usually on a bright sticker located inside the circumstance with the CD/DVD, or on the back. The key consists of 25 alphanumeric characters, usually split into groups of five.

If your computer came installed with Microsoft Windows, the software package product key is usually on a multicolored, Microsoft-branded sticker on your PC case. For Microsoft Office, you can find the sticker on the installation disc that accompanied the computer. If all else fails, you will need to make contact with Microsoft to obtain a surrogate key.

Extract Your Key during Microsoft Windows or Office

If you can’t find your current key but the software is installed, you can use a program such as the Magical Jelly Bean Key Finder. This system of measurement can quickly position your Windows key (along with the keys for many other installed programs) and display it for you.

Download Magical Jelly Bean and follow the installation process to install it on your computer.

Launch the program. You can find it by opening the Start menu, typing keyfinder, and pressing Enter.

The program will scan your installments and find the product keys of supported programs, including various versions of Windows and Microsoft Office.

When the scan is perform, the tool will display a window with entries in the left pane for whatever installed versions of Windows and Office it detected.

Click the entry for your variant of Microsoft Windows to reveal the key and other information about the installation. The key will be listed under 'CD Key' on the right side of the window. Record this information in case you need to reference it in the future. Make sure to record the information exactly, as the key may not work otherwise. Do not confuse this with the 'Product ID' entry, which is unneeded.

Click the entry for your version of 'microsoft' Office to reveal the key and other ideas about that installation. The same advice goes for Office: Your key will be listed under 'CD Key' on the right side of the window. Record this content exactly, as the key will not work or else.