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- #How to find product key for microsoft office 2010 how to#
- #How to find product key for microsoft office 2010 install#
- #How to find product key for microsoft office 2010 software#
Just open the Start menu, type “powershell”, and run the Powershell application that comes up. If you want to find the UEFI-embedded key and write it down, you can do so quite simply. (Still, it may be best to find the product key using one of the below methods and write it down before reinstalling Windows–just in case.) You should just be able to reinstall the same edition of Windows the PC came with and it should just work without even asking you for a key. You don’t have to do anything special if you have this. Instead, the key is stored in the computer’s UEFI firmware or BIOS by the manufacturer. No one can glance at your computer’s sticker to steal its product key.
#How to find product key for microsoft office 2010 software#
On newer Windows 8 and 10 computers, the key isn’t stored in software where it can be wiped, or on a sticker where it could be smudged off or removed. If the Key Is Stored in Your PC’s Hardware
#How to find product key for microsoft office 2010 install#
In other words, if it came with Windows 7 Home Premium, you can’t install Windows 7 Professional. It’ll all happen automatically.īe sure to use the same version and edition of Windows the computer came with. You don’t even need to know it–assuming you’re installing the same edition of Windows the PC came with, it should automatically activate and work without you needing to enter a key. The key for the version of Windows the PC comes with is stored in the computer’s UEFI firmware or BIOS.
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The actual key is on a certificate of authenticity (COA) sticker on your PC or its power supply. If your PC uses this, the product key on your PC–the one stored in the registry, and the one key-viewer applications display–will be different from the actual key your PC needs. Printed on a sticker: Some PCs use a technology called “System Locked Pre-installation,” or SLP.Crucially, you’ll need to grab it from your operating system before you begin reinstalling Windows or it could be deleted if you format your hard drive. You can extract this product key, and–often–enter it when reinstalling Windows on your PC. Stored in software on your PC: When you (or your PC manufacturer) installs Windows, Windows stores its product key in the registry.The key you need will be in one of three places: RELATED: Where to Download Windows 10, 8.1, and 7 ISOs Legally All you need is access to the disk drive from a working computer. The great thing is that you can even recover a key, even from a computer that won’t boot anymore. We can only assume that they don’t want anybody to re-use a key from an old computer. We’re not really sure why Microsoft went to great lengths to make it difficult to see the product keys for their software, especially since they are stored right in there in the registry and can be read by software, if not by humans.
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#How to find product key for microsoft office 2010 how to#
RELATED: Beginner Geek: How to Reinstall Windows on Your Computer Luckily, we’re here to help.Īs you can see in the screenshot above, the product ID is stored in the registry but is in a binary format that can’t be read by humans unless you are some sort of Cylon. It’s just not easy to find, and it’s impossible to read without some help. If you’re planning on doing a reinstall of Windows but can’t find your product key, you’re in luck because it’s stored in the Windows Registry.
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