22 Free Product Key Finder Programs (June 2015)
If you're preparing to reinstall a program or an operating system (like a clean install of Windows), you'll need to find your unique product key (CD key) or serial number before continuing.
Normally this product key is located with the original install disc, or maybe in your order confirmation email. If you've lost your product key you can often find it in the Windows Registry but this can be difficult, or sometimes even impossible, to do. Luckily, there are many free key finder programs available to help.
Important: Please read my Key Finder Programs FAQ for lots of helpful information. This isn't an easy topic, especially if you're new to it.
Below are the top 22 free key finder programs. I also keep a list of commercial key finder programs but I highly recommend that you exhaust the options below before paying for one.
1. Belarc Advisor
Belarc Advisor is the standard when it comes to system information software. I've been using this program for many, many years. One small aspect of Belarc Advisor is its ability to extract product keys for many software programs, including the one for Windows.
Advantages include display of information in your browser window, no adware/toolbars to worry about, and an extensive list of other important computer data.
Finds Keys for Operating Systems: Windows 8 & 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2012/2008/2003, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows ME, Windows 98, and Windows 95.
Finds Keys for Other Software: Microsoft Office 2013, 2010, (plus all previous versions), Microsoft enterprise products, most programs from Adobe, Nero, Corel, and more, as well as keys for popular video games.
Please try Belarc Advisor for your software and Windows key finding needs before any other program. It's likely to provide you with the best results. More »
2. Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder
The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder program is a free utility that retrieves product keys from the registry. It also has the ability to find product keys for Microsoft Office programs, along with product keys from many other non-Microsoft programs.
Advantages include very small size, ease of use, instant display of product keys and multiple product key saving options.
Finds Keys for Operating Systems: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 98, and Windows 95.
Finds Keys for Other Software: Microsoft Office 2007, Office 2003, Office XP, and several non-Microsoft programs.
The Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder website says that this free key finder will find your Office 2010 product key but in fact it does not, at least as of v2.0.10.11. More »
3. Winkeyfinder
The Winkeyfinder program is another free utility that retrieves product keys from the Windows registry.
Advantages include small program size, no installation required, and additional features such as the ability to change registered user information.
Finds Keys for Operating Systems: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows ME, and Windows 98.
Finds Keys for Other Software: Microsoft Office 2010, 2007, 2003, XP, 2000 SP2, and 97.
I tested Winkeyfinder in Windows 7 without any problems. More »
4. LicenseCrawler
LicenseCrawler is another well put together free key finder tool.
LicenseCrawler differs from other key finder programs in its almost full-text interface, which I like. I found LicenseCrawler to be very effective at finding serial numbers for the many programs on my PC.
Finds Keys for Operating Systems: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows 2000.
Finds Keys for Other Software: Microsoft Office 2013, Office 2010, Office 2007, Office 2003, most Adobe products, and many more.
I was able to test LicenceCrawler in Windows 8 and not find any problems. More »
5. Keyfinder Thing
Keyfinder Thing is another free, easy to use utility that finds product keys and serial numbers hidden in the Windows registry.
Advantages include small program size, nothing to run, and support for a large list of non-Microsoft programs.
Finds Keys for Operating Systems: Windows Vista, Windows 2003 Server, Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows ME.
Finds Keys for Other Software: Microsoft Office 2007, Office 2003, Office XP, Microsoft Money, Nero, Corel Suite, The Sims, and many more programs.
Keyfinder Thing does not find product keys for Windows 8, Windows 7 or Windows NT. I tested it in Windows XP and didn't find issues. More »
6. Product Key Finder
The not-so-originally-named Product Key Finder tool is actually a pretty good key finder program.
After executing Product Key Finder, a simple window opens displaying your Windows product key along with other product keys and serial numbers that Product Key Finder can locate.
Finds Keys for Operating Systems: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008 & 2003, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98, and Windows NT.
Finds Keys for Other Software: Most Microsoft and Adobe applications, more than 200 in all according to the Product Key Finder website.
Unfortunately, Product Key Finder doesn't find keys in Windows 8. More »
7. ProduKey
ProduKey is another completely free and easy to use key finder tool.
The thing I liked best about ProduKey is how easy it is to do advanced key finder tasks like loading product keys from remote registries.
Finds Keys for Operating Systems: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000.
Finds Keys for Other Software: Microsoft Office 2013, Office 2010, Office 2007, Office 2003, Exchange Server, and SQL Server.
Everything worked fine for me with ProduKey as I used it in Windows XP. More »
8. Windows Product Key Finder Pro
Gear Box's Windows Product Key Finder Pro is another fantastic utility that can find your Windows product keys. It can also find product keys for several Microsoft Office programs.
Advantages include a very small download size, no compressed files to extract, and nothing to run. Windows Product Key Finder Pro instantly displays product keys and allows you to save or print them for safe keeping.
Finds Keys for Operating Systems: Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Windows 2000.
Finds Keys for Other Software: Microsoft Office 2013, Office 2010, Office 2007, Office 2003, and Office XP.
Note: Don't let the name fool you. The "Pro" in Windows Product Key Finder Pro doesn't mean it costs - it's actually absolutely free to use. More »
9. WinGuggle
WinGuggle is a very simple key finder program. WinGuggle easily finds product keys for popular Microsoft Windows operating systems and several Microsoft Office programs.
Major advantages include a quick download size, no installation required, access to a few advanced tools, and a very simple interface. WinGuggle instantly displays your Windows and Office product keys.
Finds Keys for Operating Systems: Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.
Finds Keys for Other Software: Microsoft Office 2010, Office 2007, Office 2003, and Office XP.
WinGuggle unfortunately does not find keys for Windows 8. More »
10. SIW
SIW (System Information for Windows) is a portable program that displays tons of detailed information on your Windows installation and hardware devices.
Finds Keys for Operating Systems: Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows 2000, and Windows NT.
Finds Keys for Other Software: Microsoft Office 2010, Office 2007, Office 2003, Office XP and other Microsoft products as well as non-Microsoft applications like Adobe products, Norton, Nero, AutoCAD, and 150+ others
Note: SIW doesn't look to still be in development, but even though no new updates have been released in a long while, it's still a great program. More »
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