How to Get a Lost CD Key Back

Losing your product key for a program effectively means you can't reinstall it---attempting to do so will halt at the registration part of the process every time. If you're in this situation with any of your software, you might think your options are buying the product an additional time or finding a pirated product key on the Internet. Don't resort to either of those options, however: There is a way to recover your previous product key from a program installed on your computer and it works for a surprisingly broad number of programs.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

1. Download the free Magical Jellybean Keyfinder program.

2. Run Magical Jellybean Keyfinder.

3. Find the product key you need in the list provided by the program, which should include Windows and other programs, such as Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite.

Tips & Warnings

• This method does not work for software installed on your computer by your computer manufacturer.

References

• eHow: How to find a Windows XP Key
• pcworld.com: Magical Jellybean Keyfinder

Resources

• Download Magical Jellybean Keyfinder