Checking Microsoft Activation Keys

Question

I have several copies of Microsoft Windows which I am unsure as to whether they have ever been installed or not.  I have the full retail box with genuine CD and manual along with the registration keys but I do not know how to check to see if they have ever been registered.

They were purchased from a Dixons Group PLC trade clearance sale along with a large batch of other software.

I know I would find out if I tried to install but we are looking to resell the software and do not wish to do so if it has already been used.

Does anybody know of how I may check the registration keys?

Many thanks.

Answer 1

As far as I know, there is no way to determine if a Product Key is active or has been active except  by trying to activate the product with it.  There's no database to check.

Here's the process for a manual activtion.  If anyone knows if it can be done, they probably do.

To manually activate, go to start, search box and type in slui 4 and enter.  Enter your country and press next.  You'll be on a screen with a phone number and a bunch of codes at the bottom.  Call the number and wade through the automated prompts until you reach a human.  Have your product code handy as it will be requested.  Explain the situation but it's the same PC and only installed on that one PC.  They should give you a code to enter on that screen to activate Vista.  I honestly don't think even they can help you with this.

I hope this hellps.

Good luck!

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Lorien - MCSE/MCSA/Network+/A+ --- If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.

Answer 2

On Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:38:08 +0000, PC Resales wrote:

> I have several copies of Microsoft Windows which I am unsure as to whether they have ever been installed or not. I have the full retail box with genuine CD and manual along with the registration keys but I do not know how to check to see if they have ever been registered.

>

> They were purchased from a Dixons Group PLC trade clearance sale along with a large batch of other software.

>

> I know I would find out if I tried to install but we are looking to resell the software and do not wish to do so if it has already been used.

>

> Does anybody know of how I may check the registration keys?

Note that you have it right in the Subject line, but not in the text

quoted above. It's activation (which is mandatory) that's the issue,

not registration. Registration is optional, and no key is required.

There's no way to check the activation key other than by trying to use

it.

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Ken Blake