How to Back up a Software Serial Number Before a System Restore

Salvaging the serial numbers of important computer software

Performing a system restore on a Windows computer is used to virtually roll back the computer's clock to an earlier state. This is done in hopes of alleviating new problems caused after installing programs or downloading buggy software. When this does not work, a complete hard drive formatting and reinstallation of the Windows operating system is sometimes required. Use the following free programs to help back up all the serial numbers for software installed on a computer.

Instructions

1. Download and install the Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder, a freeware software tool used to find the product key required to install Windows. Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder can also find serial numbers for more than 300 other applications. Run the program and click on each of the entries listed to view the serial number for that software. Use the "File" menu to save and export the data as a text or CSV file, then open the text or CSV file and print it.

2. Download and install the Game Key Revealer software program. This program was designed to locate serial numbers for video games installed on a computer hard drive. Run the program and click the "Find Games" button, then wait while a list of installed games is compiled. Click the "Save" button to export the list to a file. Open the file and print it, or attach it to an email addressed to yourself to access the list of serial numbers after performing the system restore.

3. Download the free LicenseCrawler program and run it. Click the "Start Search" button and wait for the program to scan the computer for serial numbers. The program will display any serial numbers detected in a list on the main program screen. If the program has not listed all the serial numbers desired, click to deselect the "High Speed Scan" check box and search again. Export the list to a file using the "File" menu, then print a hard copy of the list.

References

• To the PC: Recover Product Key of Windows & Other Software

Resources

• Google: Game Key Revealer
• Klinzmann.name: LicenseCrawler
• Magical Jelly Bean: Keyfinder