How to Find the Microsoft XP Product Key
Finding the Microsoft Windows XP product key is a necessity when attempting to install Windows XP. You use the product key--a 25-character key that includes numbers and letters--to activate Windows XP on your computer. Typically, you have 30 days after installing Windows to activate it by inputting your product key and letting the software contact Microsoft servers for activation. Fortunately, the product key is usually located in the documentation that came with your copy of Windows XP or on the computer that came with Windows itself.
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Instructions
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Locate your certificate of authenticity. This is a document that comes with your copy of Microsoft Windows and has a hologram on it which says "Certificate of Authenticity." Look at the bottom of the certificate and note the "Product key" which is mentioned there.
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Look at the top or back of your computer tower or desktop computer. Look for a sticker which says "Microsoft Windows XP" followed by the version of Windows XP (i.e. Windows XP Home, Windows XP Pro, etc.). Look at the bottom of the sticker and you will find your product key.
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Look at the bottom of your laptop computer. Look for a sticker which says "Microsoft Windows XP" followed by the version of Windows XP (i.e. Windows XP Home, Windows XP Pro, etc.). Look at the bottom of the sticker and you will find your product key.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have lost or misplaced your certificate of authenticity or the sticker on your computer has come off or rubbed out, there are a number of software tools that can be used to find your product key on the computer if Windows XP has already been installed and activated. See resources for several examples. Note that if you are re-installing Windows XP using an OEM copy of Windows XP you may have trouble with activation. See resources for more information.
Always type the product key exactly as it appears on the certificate of authenticity or on the sticker on your computer. If you make even one mistake, Windows activation will fail.
