If you can still boot to Windows, here are some utilities, all of which will display your product keys: Overall, I don't think you have much chance, but this is the outline of how. This one claims to do that: (note their note 3: "Load Hive option". Most of the key finders (Magic Jellybean Finder, etc.) assume that you want the local system, so you need one that you can specify and pick the registry file. This is the part I am not sure about because I have never used this software. Then you would need to use a program that can read the encrypted location. Copy that file, or multiple copies, off the disk to the computer you are using to access the disk. There will likely be multiple copies to try with. You would be looking for the one called SYSTEM with no extension. You first need to download and install a data recovery software, like DiskDigger.Īfter you scan for all the deleted and recoverable files on the disk, you need then need to find the registry hive the key was stored in, which was originally located in C:\Windows\System32\config (this is just for reference, as your file will probably not have a directory associated with it). So try to move the disk to another computer for access there. I have not tested this, so it is only theory due to the last step, but here is how you would try:įirst, if the computer you are using now, is the same one, everything you do risks overwriting the data. Save my name and email and send me emails as new comments are made to this post.You are in a very tough spot, and you probably will not be able to recover it. The usual thing with OEM software, is on the PC it comes with, there is a “Create re-installation CDs” or Re-Imaging… You should ALWAYS do this with new laptops and PCs.ĭamn MS for not giving you CDs like what happened up until Vista.īe prepared, as one day your PC will be in drastic need of formatting and recovering data. Note: One caveat is if your computer came with Windows 7 installed, the OEM key on the sticker on the bottom of your computer won’t work.Īlso, remember that you can create install media for Windows 8.1 and download the ISO for the latest tech preview build of Windows 10 (9926).
If you plan on doing a clean reinstall, make sure to check out our article on collecting your software product keys, including your Windows key. Or you can use the ISO file to run a portable version of Windows from a flash drive. Or you can create an installation flash drive or DVD by using the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool (which works with other versions of Windows too). After downloading the image, you can create an installation SD card or Flash Drive following these instructions.
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