Product Key (CD Key)

Product Key (CD Key)

Definition: The product key is a usually unique, alphanumeric code of any length required by many software programs during installation. Unique product keys help assure software manufacturers that each copy of their software was legally purchased.

All Microsoft Windows operating system versions require the entry of unique product keys during the installation process. Below are examples of what these product keys look like:

* Windows 95: xxxxx-xxx-xxxxxxx-xxxxx
* Windows NT: xxxxx-xxx-xxxxxxx-xxxxx
* Windows 98: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
* Windows ME: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
* Windows 2000: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
* Windows XP: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
* Windows 2003: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
* Windows Vista: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

Many other operating systems and most other programs from nearly every software manufacturer, small and large, require product keys. Some, including Microsoft, often require product activation in addition to the entry of product keys to help further ensure that software is obtained legally.

Since product keys are required during installation, finding that you've lost a product key could be a serious problem if you need to reinstall a program. Luckily, there are a number of ways to retrieve lost product keys:

Find Microsoft Windows Product Keys
Find Microsoft Office Product Keys
Find CD Keys Using a Key Finder Program

Important Note: The unique product key entered for an operating system or a software program is typically stored in an encrypted format in the Windows Registry, making finding one very difficult without some help. The above linked guides should locate just about any CD key you may be looking for.
Also Known As: CD key, key code, installation key
Examples: "I was getting ready to reinstall Microsoft Office 2007 but I realized I had thrown away the product key along with the manual! No worry - I downloaded a product key finder program and it showed me the Office 2007 cd key from my currently installed copy. I wrote it down this time!"