How "unique" is a Windows Product Key?

Posted by Uwe Raabe on Super User See other posts from Super User or by Uwe Raabe
Published on 2010-04-26T08:28:22Z Indexed on 2010/04/26 8:33 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 387

Filed under:

Windows

|

product-key

I'm wondering if the Windows Product Key used for activating any Windows since XP is unique to this installation.

How do OEM systems and corporate licenses fit into this scheme? Do they use the same product key for several systems or is each one activated with a seperate key?

© Super User or respective owner

Related posts about Windows

Server 2012 DFS New Member Issue

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I am trying to add a new member to our DFS topology. We have 3 DCs (VMs - VMware) running Windows server 2012, two servers are located in or Primary site and the third at our DR site. Currently the two servers at our primary site are currently replicating DFS (full mesh) and are working fine. I have… >>> More
error in IIS7 but not on IIS6

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I have a website that is we are now deploying to windows 2008 servers that has worked in the past on IIS6 without a problem. It is using .net 2 framework. Most of the website works. Just when we create a screen report over a certain size on the server we get this error. Event code: 3005 Event… >>> More
error in IIS7 but not on IIS6

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I have a website that is we are now deploying to windows 2008 servers that has worked in the past on IIS6 without a problem. It is using .net 2 framework. Most of the website works. Just when we create a screen report over a certain size on the server we get this error. Event code: 3005 Event… >>> More
Microsoft Management Console stops working when I add snap-in to it

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
I have Windows 7 Ultimate OS. I'm opening mmc.exe as administrator and trying add Certificates or any other snap-in, then while loading that snap-in MMC breaks and displays following message and after that it closes automatically once I click on close button on that message. What could be the problem… >>> More
Handling keyboard and mouse input (Win API)

as seen on Game Development - Search for 'Game Development'
There is a number of ways to catch mouse or keyboard under Windows. So I tried some of them, but every of them has some advantages and drawbacks. I want to ask you: Which method do use? I've tried these: WM_KEYDOWN/WM_KEYUP - Main disadvantage is that, I can't distinguish between left and right-handed… >>> More

Related posts about product-key

invalid / unauth Product Key (10 replies)

as seen on .NET 247 - Search for '.NET 247'
I recently purchased a tablet PC (Fujitsu ST5011D) on ebay. In the item description, it stated that "I just installed Windows TabletXP, but it needs to be activated." Fine and dandy, valid COA on the back per auction images. Well. Upon attempting activation, I was informed that I… >>> More
invalid / unauth Product Key (10 replies)

as seen on .NET 247 - Search for '.NET 247'
I recently purchased a tablet PC (Fujitsu ST5011D) on ebay. In the item description, it stated that "I just installed Windows TabletXP, but it needs to be activated." Fine and dandy, valid COA on the back per auction images. Well. Upon attempting activation, I was informed that I… >>> More
Windows product key is valid but wont activate

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
Last month, I needed to install Windows XP (Pro Version 2002 SP3) from a Reinstallation CD a co-worker gave me, and with a product key the IT team told me to use. Everything installed successfully and I have been using the XP machine for the last 30 days without any problems; however it kept reminding… >>> More
Windows XP Product Key for SP3 installation

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
I have an somewhat older Notebook with an original Windows XP Professional License Sticker underneath. This Notebook was erased completely once and now I want to install a new Windows XP Professional System on it using the key that's on the sticker. But there seems to be one problem: I am using… >>> More
Regex for product key

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Hi i'm trying to do a regex that will show all product keys with the value #####-#####-#####-#####-##### this is the regular expression i have created [A-Z0-9]{5}-[A-Z0-9]{5}-[A-Z0-9]{5}-[A-Z0-9]{5}-[A-Z0-9]{5} for some reason it just isn't working. Any help? >>> More