Locating Windows Application Installation Keys

[eSolTec, Inc. 501(c)(3)]

Thank you in advance for any and all assistance. I'm looking for a way to
programmaticall y retrieve the following if possible:

Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry
Windows installed applications, like:

MS Office 97-2003
MS FrontPage
MS Word
MS Works
MS Excel
MS Power Point
MS Access

The latter is if an office suite is not installed. I don't want to change
anything, just be able to programmaticall y retrieve this information and
other keys if possible for backup and reinstallation, should I need to format
my computer(s) and can't locate the software keys.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.

[rowe_newsgroups]

Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry

Question: If you know they are somewhere in the registry, why not open
up regedit and hunt down the directory yourself? Then use the
Microsoft.Win32 .Registry namespace in your program to do whatever you
need to do.

Thanks,

Seth Rowe
eSolTec wrote:

Thank you in advance for any and all assistance. I'm looking for a way to
programmaticall y retrieve the following if possible:

Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry
Windows installed applications, like:

MS Office 97-2003
MS FrontPage
MS Word
MS Works
MS Excel
MS Power Point
MS Access

The latter is if an office suite is not installed. I don't want to change
anything, just be able to programmaticall y retrieve this information and
other keys if possible for backup and reinstallation, should I need to format
my computer(s) and can't locate the software keys.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.

[eSolTec, Inc. 501(c)(3)]

Seth,

thank you for your comments. That's what I'm trying to find out, where the
keys are.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.
"rowe_newsgroup s" wrote:

Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry

Question: If you know they are somewhere in the registry, why not open
up regedit and hunt down the directory yourself? Then use the
Microsoft.Win32 .Registry namespace in your program to do whatever you
need to do.

Thanks,

Seth Rowe
eSolTec wrote:

Thank you in advance for any and all assistance. I'm looking for a way to
programmaticall y retrieve the following if possible:

Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry
Windows installed applications, like:

MS Office 97-2003
MS FrontPage
MS Word
MS Works
MS Excel
MS Power Point
MS Access

The latter is if an office suite is not installed. I don't want to change
anything, just be able to programmaticall y retrieve this information and
other keys if possible for backup and reinstallation, should I need to format
my computer(s) and can't locate the software keys.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.

[rowe_newsgroups]

That's what I'm trying to find out, where the keys are.

Not to be rude, but isn't this something that you couldn't figure out
on your own if you took the time to open up regedit and do some
exploring? I always referred to this as "node hunting." If you're sure
it's in there somewhere then start exanding the nodes and looking for
the value. Also the "Find" option on the menu may be something that
would help.

Thanks,

Seth Rowe
eSolTec wrote:

Seth,

thank you for your comments. That's what I'm trying to find out, where the
keys are.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.
"rowe_newsgroup s" wrote:

Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry

Question: If you know they are somewhere in the registry, why not open
up regedit and hunt down the directory yourself? Then use the
Microsoft.Win32 .Registry namespace in your program to do whatever you
need to do.

Thanks,

Seth Rowe
eSolTec wrote:

Thank you in advance for any and all assistance. I'm looking for a way to
programmaticall y retrieve the following if possible:
>
Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry
Windows installed applications, like:
>
MS Office 97-2003
MS FrontPage
MS Word
MS Works
MS Excel
MS Power Point
MS Access
>
The latter is if an office suite is not installed. I don't want to change
anything, just be able to programmaticall y retrieve this information and
other keys if possible for backup and reinstallation, should I need to format
my computer(s) and can't locate the software keys.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.

[eSolTec, Inc. 501(c)(3)]

Seth,

Again, thank you for your comments. I think the reason I'm asking this
question, is that most programs I'm aware of encrypt the key in the registry,
so finding the key is not difficult, but decrypting it is. The Windows Key
for example, is about 200 lines of code to find, and decrypt it for
reinstallation use. I thought if anyone knew, it would save me time and
frustration of finding or attempting to find the keys. I also know some
programs people will know where the keys are, and others will not. I was also
wondering if there is a way to programmaticall y find any installation key, so
if it became necessary to reinstall the software and I couldn't find the key,
I would be able to retrieve it from my program.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.
"rowe_newsgroup s" wrote:

That's what I'm trying to find out, where the keys are.

Not to be rude, but isn't this something that you couldn't figure out
on your own if you took the time to open up regedit and do some
exploring? I always referred to this as "node hunting." If you're sure
it's in there somewhere then start exanding the nodes and looking for
the value. Also the "Find" option on the menu may be something that
would help.

Thanks,

Seth Rowe
eSolTec wrote:

Seth,

thank you for your comments. That's what I'm trying to find out, where the
keys are.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.
"rowe_newsgroup s" wrote:

Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry
>
Question: If you know they are somewhere in the registry, why not open
up regedit and hunt down the directory yourself? Then use the
Microsoft.Win32 .Registry namespace in your program to do whatever you
need to do.
>
Thanks,
>
Seth Rowe
>
>
eSolTec wrote:
Thank you in advance for any and all assistance. I'm looking for a way to
programmaticall y retrieve the following if possible:

Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry
Windows installed applications, like:

MS Office 97-2003
MS FrontPage
MS Word
MS Works
MS Excel
MS Power Point
MS Access

The latter is if an office suite is not installed. I don't want to change
anything, just be able to programmaticall y retrieve this information and
other keys if possible for backup and reinstallation, should I need to format
my computer(s) and can't locate the software keys.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.
>
>

[Dennis]

If you have original software, you should have the key that you used to
re-install it. The reason the keys are encrypted is to prevent what you are
trying to do.
--
Dennis in Houston
"eSolTec, Inc. 501(c)(3)" wrote:

Seth,

Again, thank you for your comments. I think the reason I'm asking this
question, is that most programs I'm aware of encrypt the key in the registry,
so finding the key is not difficult, but decrypting it is. The Windows Key
for example, is about 200 lines of code to find, and decrypt it for
reinstallation use. I thought if anyone knew, it would save me time and
frustration of finding or attempting to find the keys. I also know some
programs people will know where the keys are, and others will not. I was also
wondering if there is a way to programmaticall y find any installation key, so
if it became necessary to reinstall the software and I couldn't find the key,
I would be able to retrieve it from my program.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.
"rowe_newsgroup s" wrote:

That's what I'm trying to find out, where the keys are.

Not to be rude, but isn't this something that you couldn't figure out
on your own if you took the time to open up regedit and do some
exploring? I always referred to this as "node hunting." If you're sure
it's in there somewhere then start exanding the nodes and looking for
the value. Also the "Find" option on the menu may be something that
would help.

Thanks,

Seth Rowe
eSolTec wrote:

Seth,
>
thank you for your comments. That's what I'm trying to find out, where the
keys are.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.
>
>
"rowe_newsgroup s" wrote:
>
Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry

Question: If you know they are somewhere in the registry, why not open
up regedit and hunt down the directory yourself? Then use the
Microsoft.Win32 .Registry namespace in your program to do whatever you
need to do.

Thanks,

Seth Rowe


eSolTec wrote:
Thank you in advance for any and all assistance. I'm looking for a way to
programmaticall y retrieve the following if possible:
>
Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry
Windows installed applications, like:
>
MS Office 97-2003
MS FrontPage
MS Word
MS Works
MS Excel
MS Power Point
MS Access
>
The latter is if an office suite is not installed. I don't want to change
anything, just be able to programmaticall y retrieve this information and
other keys if possible for backup and reinstallation, should I need to format
my computer(s) and can't locate the software keys.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.

[GhostInAK]

Hello eSolTec, Inc. 501(c)(3),

I'm with Seth. Go find the key entries and if you can't decipher them, then
come askin for help. But to come in here asking where something is just
because you don't want to spend the time yourself, and are unsure of what
you will find were you to look yourself is just plain rude, not to mention
stupid.

-Boo

Seth,

Again, thank you for your comments. I think the reason I'm asking this
question, is that most programs I'm aware of encrypt the key in the
registry, so finding the key is not difficult, but decrypting it is.
The Windows Key for example, is about 200 lines of code to find, and
decrypt it for reinstallation use. I thought if anyone knew, it would
save me time and frustration of finding or attempting to find the
keys. I also know some programs people will know where the keys are,
and others will not. I was also wondering if there is a way to
programmaticall y find any installation key, so if it became necessary
to reinstall the software and I couldn't find the key, I would be able
to retrieve it from my program.

"rowe_newsgroup s" wrote:

>>That's what I'm trying to find out, where the keys are.

Not to be rude, but isn't this something that you couldn't figure out
on your own if you took the time to open up regedit and do some
exploring? I always referred to this as "node hunting." If you're
sure it's in there somewhere then start exanding the nodes and
looking for the value. Also the "Find" option on the menu may be
something that would help.

Thanks,

Seth Rowe

eSolTec wrote:

>>Seth,

thank you for your comments. That's what I'm trying to find out,
where the
keys are.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.
"rowe_newsgro ups" wrote:

Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry
>
Question: If you know they are somewhere in the registry, why not
open up regedit and hunt down the directory yourself? Then use the
Microsoft.Wi n32.Registry namespace in your program to do whatever
you need to do.

Thanks,

Seth Rowe

eSolTec wrote:

Thank you in advance for any and all assistance. I'm looking for a
way to programmaticall y retrieve the following if possible:
>
Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry
Windows installed applications, like:
MS Office 97-2003
MS FrontPage
MS Word
MS Works
MS Excel
MS Power Point
MS Access
The latter is if an office suite is not installed. I don't want to
change
anything, just be able to programmaticall y retrieve this
informati on and
other keys if possible for backup and reinstallation, should I
need to format
my computer(s) and can't locate the software keys.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.

[eSolTec, Inc. 501(c)(3)]

Dennis,

I have been a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and one of the biggest
problems people have if their computers are old, is locating the software to
reinstall the Operating System and Application Programs. Most, not all are
legitimately unable to find them. Some are people whom other people have
installed illegal software on their PC. I have also been an OEM reseller
since 1998 and I know it's encrypted. I didn't ask for a legal or what
should. I asked if anyone knew where the keys could be located so that if a
reinstall is necessary and the keys can't be located, that the system can be
restored and used by a consumer. I'm not a hacker or cracker looking for free
software or keys, just the ability to help my clients, when they need it. A
lot of the time with older software, before Microsoft required the COA to be
affixed, people misplace things. I'm sure you don't do that at all, but thank
you for your input.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.
"Dennis" wrote:

If you have original software, you should have the key that you used to
re-install it. The reason the keys are encrypted is to prevent what you are
trying to do.
--
Dennis in Houston
"eSolTec, Inc. 501(c)(3)" wrote:

Seth,

Again, thank you for your comments. I think the reason I'm asking this
question, is that most programs I'm aware of encrypt the key in the registry,
so finding the key is not difficult, but decrypting it is. The Windows Key
for example, is about 200 lines of code to find, and decrypt it for
reinstallation use. I thought if anyone knew, it would save me time and
frustration of finding or attempting to find the keys. I also know some
programs people will know where the keys are, and others will not. I was also
wondering if there is a way to programmaticall y find any installation key, so
if it became necessary to reinstall the software and I couldn't find the key,
I would be able to retrieve it from my program.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.
"rowe_newsgroup s" wrote:

That's what I'm trying to find out, where the keys are.
>
Not to be rude, but isn't this something that you couldn't figure out
on your own if you took the time to open up regedit and do some
exploring? I always referred to this as "node hunting." If you're sure
it's in there somewhere then start exanding the nodes and looking for
the value. Also the "Find" option on the menu may be something that
would help.
>
Thanks,
>
Seth Rowe
>
>
eSolTec wrote:
Seth,

thank you for your comments. That's what I'm trying to find out, where the
keys are.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.


"rowe_newsgroup s" wrote:

Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry
>
Question: If you know they are somewhere in the registry, why not open
up regedit and hunt down the directory yourself? Then use the
Microsoft.Win32 .Registry namespace in your program to do whatever you
need to do.
>
Thanks,
>
Seth Rowe
>
>
eSolTec wrote:
Thank you in advance for any and all assistance. I'm looking for a way to
programmaticall y retrieve the following if possible:

Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry
Windows installed applications, like:

MS Office 97-2003
MS FrontPage
MS Word
MS Works
MS Excel
MS Power Point
MS Access

The latter is if an office suite is not installed. I don't want to change
anything, just be able to programmaticall y retrieve this information and
other keys if possible for backup and reinstallation, should I need to format
my computer(s) and can't locate the software keys.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.
>
>
>
>

[eSolTec, Inc. 501(c)(3)]

I don't believe that I have been rude or stupid. This is a moderated
newsgroup and I've paid my money to Microsoft to ask the questions. Maybe if
someone would take this pointer. Not everyone wants your opinion. I'm asking
professionals about finding information about what I'm looking for. I'm not a
programmer by trade, I'm a technician and I'm building this application to
aid me and other techs in resolving issues of people installing spyware,
adware and other malicious programs in people's computers that require a
reformat, rather than attempting to rundown the culprid. Calling someone
stupid because they don't think like you is really imature. If you don't want
to help, please don't comment. If you do, thank you for your help and
assistance.

The smart person, knows when to ask for help. It's the dumb one's that
explore and end up finding something way over their heads and end up
drowning. Thank you for your two cents, you and Seth both, but I'll pass on
playing in something I don't know and am unfamiliar with.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.
"GhostInAK" wrote:

Hello eSolTec, Inc. 501(c)(3),

I'm with Seth. Go find the key entries and if you can't decipher them, then
come askin for help. But to come in here asking where something is just
because you don't want to spend the time yourself, and are unsure of what
you will find were you to look yourself is just plain rude, not to mention
stupid.

-Boo

Seth,

Again, thank you for your comments. I think the reason I'm asking this
question, is that most programs I'm aware of encrypt the key in the
registry, so finding the key is not difficult, but decrypting it is.
The Windows Key for example, is about 200 lines of code to find, and
decrypt it for reinstallation use. I thought if anyone knew, it would
save me time and frustration of finding or attempting to find the
keys. I also know some programs people will know where the keys are,
and others will not. I was also wondering if there is a way to
programmaticall y find any installation key, so if it became necessary
to reinstall the software and I couldn't find the key, I would be able
to retrieve it from my program.

"rowe_newsgroup s" wrote:

>That's what I'm trying to find out, where the keys are.

Not to be rude, but isn't this something that you couldn't figure out
on your own if you took the time to open up regedit and do some
exploring? I always referred to this as "node hunting." If you're
sure it's in there somewhere then start exanding the nodes and
looking for the value. Also the "Find" option on the menu may be
something that would help.

Thanks,

Seth Rowe

eSolTec wrote:

Seth,

thank you for your comments. That's what I'm trying to find out,
where the
keys are.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.
"rowe_newsgrou ps" wrote:

Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry

Question: If you know they are somewhere in the registry, why not
open up regedit and hunt down the directory yourself? Then use the
Microsoft.Win 32.Registry namespace in your program to do whatever
you need to do.

Thanks,

Seth Rowe

eSolTec wrote:

Thank you in advance for any and all assistance. I'm looking for a
way to programmaticall y retrieve the following if possible:

Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry
Windows installed applications, like:
MS Office 97-2003
MS FrontPage
MS Word
MS Works
MS Excel
MS Power Point
MS Access
The latter is if an office suite is not installed. I don't want to
change
anything, just be able to programmaticall y retrieve this
informatio n and
other keys if possible for backup and reinstallation, should I
need to format
my computer(s) and can't locate the software keys.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.

[GhostInAK]

Hello eSolTec, Inc. 501(c)(3),

Yes.. run and hide from the unknown.. run and hide. DO YOUR OWN DAMN WORK.

-Boo

I don't believe that I have been rude or stupid. This is a moderated
newsgroup and I've paid my money to Microsoft to ask the questions.
Maybe if someone would take this pointer. Not everyone wants your
opinion. I'm asking professionals about finding information about what
I'm looking for. I'm not a programmer by trade, I'm a technician and
I'm building this application to aid me and other techs in resolving
issues of people installing spyware, adware and other malicious
programs in people's computers that require a reformat, rather than
attempting to rundown the culprid. Calling someone stupid because they
don't think like you is really imature. If you don't want to help,
please don't comment. If you do, thank you for your help and
assistance.

The smart person, knows when to ask for help. It's the dumb one's that
explore and end up finding something way over their heads and end up
drowning. Thank you for your two cents, you and Seth both, but I'll
pass on playing in something I don't know and am unfamiliar with.

"GhostInAK" wrote:

>Hello eSolTec, Inc. 501(c)(3),

I'm with Seth. Go find the key entries and if you can't decipher
them, then come askin for help. But to come in here asking where
something is just because you don't want to spend the time yourself,
and are unsure of what you will find were you to look yourself is
just plain rude, not to mention stupid.

-Boo

>>Seth,

Again, thank you for your comments. I think the reason I'm asking
this question, is that most programs I'm aware of encrypt the key in
the registry, so finding the key is not difficult, but decrypting it
is. The Windows Key for example, is about 200 lines of code to find,
and decrypt it for reinstallation use. I thought if anyone knew, it
would save me time and frustration of finding or attempting to find
the keys. I also know some programs people will know where the keys
are, and others will not. I was also wondering if there is a way to
programmatica lly find any installation key, so if it became
necessary to reinstall the software and I couldn't find the key, I
would be able to retrieve it from my program.

"rowe_newsgro ups" wrote:

That's what I'm trying to find out, where the keys are.
>
Not to be rude, but isn't this something that you couldn't figure
out on your own if you took the time to open up regedit and do some
exploring? I always referred to this as "node hunting." If you're
sure it's in there somewhere then start exanding the nodes and
looking for the value. Also the "Find" option on the menu may be
something that would help.

Thanks,

Seth Rowe

eSolTec wrote:

Seth,
>
thank you for your comments. That's what I'm trying to find out,
where the
keys are.
--
Michael Bragg, President
eSolTec, Inc.
a 501(C)(3) organization
MS Authorized MAR
looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.
"rowe_newsg roups" wrote:
>>Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry
>>>
>Question : If you know they are somewhere in the registry, why not
>open up regedit and hunt down the directory yourself? Then use
>the Microsoft.Win32 .Registry namespace in your program to do
>whatever you need to do.
>>
>Thanks,
>>
>Seth Rowe
>>
>eSolTec wrote:
>>
>>Thank you in advance for any and all assistance. I'm looking for
>>a way to programmaticall y retrieve the following if possible:
>>>
>>Windows Installation Key or COA from the registry
>>Windows installed applications, like:
>>MS Office 97-2003
>>MS FrontPage
>>MS Word
>>MS Works
>>MS Excel
>>MS Power Point
>>MS Access
>>The latter is if an office suite is not installed. I don't want
>>to
>>change
>>anythin g, just be able to programmaticall y retrieve this
>>informati on and
>>other keys if possible for backup and reinstallation, should I
>>need to format
>>my computer(s) and can't locate the software keys.
>>--
>>Michael Bragg, President
>>eSolTec , Inc.
>>a 501(C)(3) organization
>>MS Authorized MAR
>>looking for used laptops for developmentally disabled.