Clear Product Key from Registry in Windows  

    Clear Product Key from Registry in Windows

    Clear Product Key from Registry in Windows

    How to Clear Product Key from Registry in Windows
    Published by Category: Windows Update & Activation
    20 Aug 2018
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Clear Product Key from Registry in Windows

    information   Information
    When you install and activate a retail copy of Windows, the product key is stored in the registry. This can be helpful to be able to use a program like ShowKeyPlus to view your installed product key if lost.

    However, having your installed product key in the registry could leave it vulnerable to being stolen from disclosure attacks by malicious software. Clearing the product key from the registry will prevent this, but you will need to make sure to keep a copy of your product key written down and kept in a secure location.

    This tutorial will show you how to permanently clear the product key from the registry to prevent it from being stolen in Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.

    You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to clear the product key from the registry.

    Note   Note
    This will not remove an OEM Windows 8/8.1/10 product key embedded in the UEFI firmware chip.

    If you run the slmgr /dli command in a command prompt, you will still be able to see the last 5 characters of the installed product key to help let you know what key you used to activate Windows with.

    Clear Product Key from Registry in Windows-slmgr_dli.png



    Here's How:

    1. Open an elevated command prompt.

    2. Copy and paste the command below into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

    slmgr /cpky

    Clear Product Key from Registry in Windows-clear_product_key_from_registry-1.png

    3. Click/tap on OK when the product key has successfully been cleared from the registry. (see screenshot below)

    Clear Product Key from Registry in Windows-clear_product_key_from_registry-2.png



    That's it,
    Shawn






  1. Posts : 3,453
       #1

    Hmmm... Shawn, makes me wonder... whether I should include an encryption function on the keys in the registry, that can only be decrypted with ShowKeyPlus?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,543
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    That would be a good idea to have that included.

      My Computers


 

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