Windows ME Product key code upgrade 98 serial key or number

Considering how old Windows 98, Windows 95, and Windows ME are, it's no surprise that you've lost the product key you used to install the operating system.

Unlike with product keys in newer versions of Windows, these older ones stored their valid product keys nice and neat, in a specific registry key, making finding yours pretty simple.

All you have to do to find that lost product key is navigate to that spot in the Windows Registry and then record it somewhere safe. Once you have it, you can reinstall Windows successfully using that code.

Follow the easy steps below to locate your Windows 98, 95, or ME product key code from the Windows Registry, a process that shouldn't take more than 10 or 15 minutes:

How to Find Your Windows 98, 95, or ME Product Key

1. 
   Open Registry Editor, a tool included in all versions of Windows that you can use to view and edit areas in the Windows Registry.

   As mentioned above, you will not be making changes in Registry Editor, you'll just be viewing information. Please follow the steps below exactly as shown to avoid causing a problem in this very sensitive area in Windows.

   If working in the Windows Registry makes you nervous, you have the option of using a special program to show you this key. See our List of Free Product Key Finder Programs for more. We recommend the process below, however.

2. Locate the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEregistry hive on the left, under My Computer.

   • The HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE hive contains most of the configuration data for your computer and, in Windows 98/95/ME, also your product key. We just need to dig a bit deeper to get to it.

3. Click on the [+] icon to the left of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE to expand the "folder."

4. From the resulting list that drops down below HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, find and click the [+] to the left of Software.

5. From that list, under Software, find and click the [+] to the left of Microsoft.

6. The group of registry keys that appears next will be much longer than with the last few. From that much longer list, find Windows.

7. Once you find Windows, click the [+] to the left of it.

   You may see Windows Messaging Subsystem, Windows NT, Windows Script Host, and possible some other Windows ... keys, but what you're after here is strictly the Windows one. The other ones do not contain a copy of your product key.

8. Click on the CurrentVersion key - the word itself, not the[+] to the left of it like you've been doing up to this point.

9. From the results on the right, locate the registry valueProductKey. Values are listed alphabetically so if you don't see it right away, scroll down until you get to the P's.

10. The numbers and letters within this value represent the Windows 98/95/ME product key.

    The product key should be formatted like xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx - five sets of five letters and numbers.

11. Write down your product key exactly as you see it here. You'll have to enter this product key just as shown when you reinstall Windows. If you're off by even one character, it won't work.

12. Close Registry Editor without making any changes.

Tips & More Information

If your computer system was purchased with Microsoft Windows pre-installed, and it's never been reinstalled upgraded since then, the product key found by the steps on this page will only find the generic product key that your computer manufacturer used to install the Windows.

This product key will not work when attempting to reinstall Windows. In this case, you must use the unique product key that is on the sticker attached to your computer case.

While updating from windows 7, 8 or 8.1 to Microsoft’s latest operating system Windows 10, Or installing windows 10 for first you need a Windows 10 Product Key. After trail version if you want to use full features you should’ve a serial key. Windows 10 Product Key Consist of 25 Characters and looks alike “xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx” where x can be the mixture of alphabets and numbers. We have shared Windows 10 Product Keys for X86 (32 bit) and X64 (64 bit) and all other versions of win 10.

Like other versions of windows operating system, Windows ten have multiple versions according to the nature of their users. If you are a student you can use windows 10 student version, similarly if you are a not-commercial or regular user than you need Windows 10 home is the best option for you. Same way if you are representing an organization than you need Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise version.

When you finished installing a fresh copy of win 10 you can’t go ahead without a serial key, Microsoft also give’s 30 days trail period that can be extended to 90 days. But after 90 days you can’t use the proper functions of your windows. To get full functionality of windows you need a Windows 10 key.

Windows 10 Key Features

Windows 10 is the leading operating system with 900 million users and around 40% of PCs are using Win 10 while on the other hand windows 7 is on second place with 38.5 percent. Win 10 was released in July 2015 with innovative tools and better security. It has better user interface which help people to perform their daily tasks more easily and in a productive way. Windows 10 looks like the combination of Win 7 and 8. The main features of it are below.

• Better user interface
• Start menu return
• New features of Windows store
• Bigger app library
• Inbuilt Microsoft virtual assistant
• Fast page rendering speed
• Xbox App
• Spartan Browser
• Improved Multitasking
• Office Apps Get Touch Support
• Continuum
• Action Center
• Unified Settings / Control Panel

Upgrade To Windows 10

Mostly people have upgraded their system from win 7, 8 and 8.1 to windows 10 but still 42% of PC users are using previous versions of windows. if you have not upgraded your system it can be the best time for converting to latest. But you should have some requirements to move on to 10, Like

• Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster processor or SoC.
• RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit or 2 GB for 64-bit.
• Hard disk: 16 GB for 32-bit OS 20 GB for 64-bit OS.
• Graphics card: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver.
• Display: 800×600

But experts recommend to have at least

• Processor: 2.5 GHz Dual Core (Faster is better)
• RAM :- 4 GB (2018 Atleast 8 GB)
• HDD: 320GB
• GPU:- any (Nvidia Tiatan v is the Best)
• Display:- 1920X1080 (Full HD)

Upgrading From Windows 7 Or 8

If you wanted to upgrade from a genuine Windows 7/8 you just need to follow some simple steps.

• Go to Control Panel.
• Click on Windows Update.
• You will get a link for “Upgrade this PC now.” Just click on it.
• In new window license agreement will pop up. Accept the terms and conditions, and your Windows 10 installation process will begin.
• Follow the instructions given by the installation wizard and it will start downloading the required files from the Microsoft server.

How to Download Windows 10 and Install it Without a Key

Microsoft gives you two ways to download windows 10 from its server, i.e using “Media Creation Tool” or just downloaded an ISOs file. If you are from a windows machine and don’t wanted to use media creation tool you need to change the user agent to non-windows browser. If you don’t know how to change user agent for Chrome or Firefox just watch below video that are related to your browser. By Changing user-agent you can have the direct ISOs file link.

And if you’re ok with media creation toll just watch below video on how to download windows 10 free from Microsoft’s Website.

Methods To Activate Windows 10

There are 4 different ways to activate windows 10.

1. Buying a genuine windows 10 key (Recommended)
2. Manually entering a windows 10 activation key
3. Find your key from inside windows
4. Through a third party tool

1. Buying A Genuine Windows 10 Key

You can activate windows 10 by entering a unique key that you can buy from Microsoft, Amazon Or other sources. You just need to follow the below path and enter a product key and after that your copy of windows’ll be activate.
Go to: Settings > Update & Security > Activation

After entering a digital licence, you should see “Windows is activated with a digital license” or “Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.”
You can also attach your key with your Microsoft’s account by click on “Add a Microsoft Account” one same page where you entered your key.

2. Manually Entering A Windows 10 Activation Key

This method is same like the above one you just need to copy Windows 10 Product Keys from below tables and paste it according to your windows like Windows 10 home key or Windows 10 Pro key. Just follow the below path and enter a key, If any key give an error just use other one.
Go to: Settings > Update & Security > Activation

3. Find Your Key From Inside Window

There is a visual basic script which retrieves registry based windows keys ( not those saved in the UEFI/BIOS). Download script by clicking here. Copy the code in notepad and save it as .vbs than double click to launch it.

4. Through A Third Party Tool

There are two third party tools that i have used till date to activate windows and they are ProduKey and Showkey Plus. you can use them to register a free windows 10 key. You can also use PassFab Product Key Recovery to activate Windows 10 pro product key, millions of people have used that software to activate windows 10 and this software didn’t disappointed a single user.

Free Windows 10 Product Keys

We have shared different types of product keys for different versions of windows 10, Like Windows 10 home key, Windows 10 Pro key and for other versions of windows 10.

Windows 10 Home Product Key

Windows 10 Pro Product Key

Windows 10 Enterprise Key

Windows 10 Key For Other Versions

Activate Windows 10 Using A Product Key

After copying key from above you have to follow a process to complete windows activation with product key.

Go to Settings (Open the Settings interface by pressing the Windows + I keys together) > Click Update & Security > Click on the Activation > Click on Change Product Key> Enter the key > Click Next
If you are feeling it difficult you can take help from below images

After completing the Windows 10 Activation process you should check if product key is completed or not. you can check it using the following path Settings > Update & Security > Activation. Check the activation status.

If this process is not working for you, You can use the second method i.e using SLUI. You can use this method to activate windows through registry. You have to follow some steps just to complete activation process.

Press Windows key + R from you keyboard, a box will appear just type SLUI and click ok. Enter Windows 10 activation key and click Next.

You need an internet connection during both methods because your key’ll be check through Microsoft server and if you had enter a valid key, it’ll activate the windows. If the key you have entered didn’t work just copy the other one. Because sometimes due to compatibility issues some keys may not work.

What If Product Keys Are Not Working For Me?

If the keys above or not working for you for any reason you can use Microsoft Toolkit to activate the copy of your windows. Just download the tool from above link, After downloading run the file. A new interface appears click on ” Activate Windows 10 without a product key ” and than click on “EZ Activator” that’ll appear on next screen, than restart your computer and your windows will be activated. you can check it using the following path Settings > Update & Security > Activation. Check the activation status.

Switch Between Different Versions Of Windows 10

You can switch the version from one to other. Like if you are using the Windows 10 Home you can convert it in Windows 10 Pro or on Windows 10 Education.

If you are using windows 10 home and wanted to switch on windows 10 pro you can do it easily. You just need a Windows 10 pro key that you can copy from above keys. Just follow some steps and your work’ll be done.

Press Windows+1 together to open setting, Click “Updates & Security”, Click on “Activation” than click on “Change The Product Key” and enter “Windows 10 Pro Key“. Wait for sometime and you’ll be upgraded to Windows 10 professional.

Similarly you can switch to upgraded versions, But keep in mind you can’t downgraded i.e you can not switch from Windows 10 pro to Windows 10 Home.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

I have check mostly keys and they are working, But sometimes the key will be deleted from Microsoft’s server, and it can’t work. You can try other keys that are provided above, Please mention the keys in comment box that are not working and i’ll replace them with new working keys.

Thursday, 22 November 2012