Have you ever had to re-install your operating system and either the sticker is not on the side of your computer or its worn and no longer readable? In older versions of windows you could easily retrieve the key with no issue. Now days Windows has made it more secure so if you go looking in the registry you will find it however its encrypted so its worthless to you. Never fear there are still ways to get it.

First the product key will look something like this on the back of your PC:

Now if you can't read it or its not there no worries. There are some free programs out there that will retrieve it and read the encryption. The one I have used and love is

JellyBean Keyfinder:

Now it will tell you the FREE version will not find the windows product key, well I can tell you I didn't pay a dime and as you can see above I got the info. Its a small program that all you do is install then run it. Now while you install it they will ask you if you want to install other product - click NO.