How to Get the Microsoft Vista Product Activation Key

Microsoft representatives can be your best resource in this situation.

Things in our homes go missing all the time. We lose our keys, our bills or wallets, and even, sometimes, our Microsoft Windows Vista Product Activation Keys. If you recently reinstalled or intend to reinstall Vista on your computer and you cannot locate your product key, a few simple steps will help you find it.

Instructions

1. Look for the key. If Windows Vista came pre-installed with your computer, the manufacturer may have taped a copy of the product key to the top, sides, back or bottom of your CPU, the tower or the desktop box that you plug the monitor, keyboard and mouse into. In other cases the key gets taped to the side of the Windows Vista Product Manual or to the outside of the CD case.

2. Locate your computer's product name, product number and serial number to obtain a new product code. This information is always taped to the top, sides, front, back or bottom of your CPU, or to the bottom of your computer if you have a laptop.

3. Call your computer manufacturer, or Microsoft, to replace your lost product key. Be prepared to wait an hour or more to speak to a representative. Explain to the representative that you lost your product code and need to reinstall Vista on your computer. The representative will ask you for certain identifying information about your computer and yourself. Your original computer manufacturer does this to bring up specific information about your computer, and Microsoft does this to make records of every new product key that it distributes in order to combat software piracy.

4. If you installed Vista after you purchased your computer, you will need to call Microsoft directly at 1-800-642-7676. If your version of Windows Vista did come installed with the computer when you purchased it, you may also be able to obtain a replacement product code by contacting your computer's original manufacturer.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that you looked everywhere before you start making phone calls. Calling Microsoft can sometimes take an hour or more.

Resources

• Microsoft: How to replace Microsoft software or hardware