ShowKeyPlus

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  1. Posts : 3,453
       #1

    ShowKeyPlus


    Find your Windows product key with ShowKeyPlus.
    Applies to Windows 7, 8 and 10


    • If you purchased Windows from an authorized retailer, the product key will only show as the Installed key. This applies to OEM System Builder keys as well.


    • If you purchased a new PC running Windows, the product key will be included in the firmware in the case of Windows 8 or 10 - or as an OEM marker, in the case of Windows Vista or Windows 7


    • Apart from the key, the associated Edition of each key is displayed below it.



    ShowKeyPlus-image.png


    • Should you have a backup which includes a Windows folder, the key from that installation (as well as the previously installed key, if that installation was an upgrade), can be retrieved using the Retrieve key from backup link.



    • In order to verify the edition your key is associated with, use the Check product key link to confirm.


    ShowKeyPlus-image.png


    • Current version automatically detects Dark and Transparency settings from the OS



    Official Release Download: ShowKeyPlus 1.1.18.0


    ShowKeyPlus-english_get-ms_invariantculture_default.pngShowKeyPlus-majorgeeks_fea.gif

    ShowKeyPlus Preview

    • Get the latest development release
    • Follow the development cycle at GitHub


    Legacy Release Downloads:



    ShowKeyPlus Awards
    ShowKeyPlus-review2_5_showkeyplus_award.png

    Note   Note
    The current release version includes a routine that checks GitHub for newer versions. Some Anti-Malware applications may flag it as PUP. It's a false positive. AV's that have not white-listed it, may require that you create an exception in their settings.

    Code:
    Version history
    Version 1.1.18.0 What's New:
    • Windows 11-type GUI
    • Office 2010-2021 key checking
    Fixed:
    • Crash resulting from permissions
    • Crash on German when clicking Windows 7 OEM marker
    Version 1.1.16.0 Dependency:
    • .Net Framework 4.6.1 or higher. (lowered from 4.7.2)
    What's new:
    • Removed ru and zh-Hant languages
    • Auto detect Accent colour change
    • Fixed crash when "Windows 7 OEM-Marker in Firmware vorhanden" clicked (on German systems)
    • Fixed (partially) memory leak when checking Win 7 keys
    Version 1.1.15.0 Applies to Windows 8 and 10 This version does not apply to Windows 7 nor have WinPE, CLI functionality - please continue using ShowKeyPlus Version: 1.0.7060 for those features Dependency:
    • .Net Framework 4.7.2 or higher.
    What's new:
    • Added additional languages - de, es, fr, it, nl, pt, ru, zh-Hant
    Version 1.1.14.1 This version applies to Windows 8 and 10 only Windows 7 is no longer supported (apart from key checking). It does not have WinPE, CLI functionality - please continue using ShowKeyPlus Version: 1.0.7060 for those features What's new:
    • Re-design to be consistent with Store version
    • "More" and "Upgrades" search for additional and previous installations respectively.
    Version 1.0.7060 Bugfixes:
    • CLI mode support in WinPE
    • Windows 7 hive accessibility
    What's new:
    • The standard help switch in CLI mode (-h, /? etc)
    • Uses offreg.dll's (consistent with UWP version)
    • Saving key info from GUIin WinPE saves directly to executable path else expanded to include Word and Excel file types
    Version 1.0.6893 New features:
    • Added key checking support for new editions in October 2018 update
    • Over-ride the MAK key removal display ("BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB") with explanatory text.
    • 32-bit and 64-bit now have the same versioning with the architecture displayed with version build.
    Bug fix:
    • Windows 8 and Windows 10 key checking on Windows 7 32-bit installations.
    • Added Windows build version and architecture per installation.</span></font>
    Version 1.0.6477 Bug fix:
    • Added key checking support for new edition in Fall Creators Update: Windows 10 Professional Workstation
    Version 1.0.6371 Bug fix:
    • Background opacity on message-box pop-up
    Version 1.0.6320 Bug fix:
    • Suppress messagebox when in CLI mode
    New in this release:
    • Added key checking support for new editions in Creators Update: Windows EnterpriseG and Windows Cloud
    Version 1.0.6125 Bugfix:
    • Version check returning null error
    Code:
    System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object. at ShowKey.frmKeyInfo.bgwVersion_RunWorkerCompleted(Object sender, RunWorkerCompletedEventArgs e
    • Product key checking referencing incorrect dll. on Windows 32-bit versions
    NB: Windows 7 32-bit still does not support key checking of Windows 8 nor Windows 10 keys. It will report those keys as Invalid, but they should be checked on Win 7 64-bit or any Windows 8 or Windows 10 version.
    New in this release:
    • Exception wording added for valid keys with invalid configuration resulting in a null response for edition.
    • Cosmetic fixes.
    Version 1.0.6084 New in this release:
    • Retrieve Windows 8 and Windows 10 key editions on Windows 7 installations.
    • Use CLI to generate a text file of installed, original and OEM key(s) and their editions, silently.
    Usage: [path]\ShowKeyPlus.exe" "[path][filename].txt" (or any text compatible extension, eg: .doc, .csv etc)
    • Implemented Accent colour as the base scheme.
    • Background changes to opaque when pop-up visible.
    • Bug fix: Some motherboards (eg. Gigabyte) have a pre-installed MSDM table in the firmware without an OEM key embedded. Exception caught if key not present.
    • Additional DPI scaling compatibility.
    Version 1.0.5815
    • Bug-fix: Forward-navigation arrow displaying incorrectly.
    • Check version dialog was not returning to calling thread.
    • Windows 8 reporting duplicate installations.
    Update 01-Dec-2015: Version 1.0.5812
    • New in this release: Automated discovery of pre-existing Windows installations (from Windows and Windows.old folders)
    • Last used theme gets saved for use the next time the application is launched.
    • Some GUI enhancements for DPI scaling.
    • Included a version check to alert of new releases
    Version 1.0.5730
    • New in this release: Improved threading and exception handling modifications.
    • Changed to a modern user interface.
    Update 30-June-2015:
    • Included non-native support for Window 8 and Windows 7 key checking (as the former has been removed from Windows 10.)
    • NB: Windows 7 key checking is slow due to it having quite an extensive range.
    Update 08-June-2015:
    • Bug fix - Windows Vista/7 marker was returned from the MSDM rather than SLIC table.
    Update 07-June-2015:
    • Added Windows 7 support. SLIC and edition.
    Update 19-May-2015:
    • Minor bug-fixes
    • GUI improvements.
    Update 16-Apr-2015:
    • Added Product key checker
    Update 15-Apr-2015:
    • Added ability to retrieve key from backed-up windows image.
    • This requires redirection to the offline \Windows\System32\config\SOFTWARE hive - it has no file extension.
    Update 17-Mar-2015:
    • Added OEM edition retrieval.
    • Original key and edition only appears after an upgrade (eg. Pro to WMC)
    **************************************************************************************************** ************

    Key types:

    1. OEM: DM = PC specific keys found embedded in the Microsoft Data Management (MSDM) table of the firmware of Windows 8 and Windows 10 factory installed PC's.
    2. OEM: SLP = System Locked Pre-installation key - Win Vista/7 manufacturer specific keys used to mass activate those installations. Activation is off-line with a SLIC table in the firmware and matching Certificate installed together with the key.
    3. OEM: COA = Certficate of Authenticity key found as a sticker attached to PC's factory installed with the above
    4. OEM:SLP method as a backup for on-line re-activation.
    5. OEM: NONSLP = Non-System Locked Pre-installation key a.k.a System Builder keys - available from re-sellers and acts as retail on-line activation keys but with an OEM EULA.
    6. Retail = Full Packaged Product (FPP) keys, available from a retail merchant or Microsoft on-line (NB: Windows 10 purchases from Microsoft Store are digital entitlement licences and use a generic key for installation.)
    7. Volume: MAK = Multiple Activation Key is a single key used to on-line activate a pre-determined number of Windows installations.
    8. Volume: GVLK = Group Volume License Key, is a generic key for editions of volume licence versions that activate off-line via a KMS server.
    9. WAU = Windows Anytime Upgrade - Retail key that comes at a reduced price to be used to upgrade an activated previous version of Windows.

    **************************************************************************************************** ***************

    Note   Note
    Should your key display as BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB, it is a placeholder Windows inserts after activating a MAK key. The reason being, these keys can have thousands of activations (for which companies pay huge amounts) and should someone steal one, they could sell that same key to thousands and each will activate as if part of a company network - it's thus a security feature specific to MAK's.


    **************************************************************************************************** ****************

    PS: Please see here regarding unblocking the .exe

    Some info regarding the pitfalls of purchasing cheap product keys

    I bought Windows 10 Pro for $3! - YouTube
    Last edited by Superfly; 21 Nov 2021 at 04:39.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 803
    10 Pro Preview x64
       #2

    Smartscreen has no "Run anyway" dialog.


    Turned off Smartscreen and it runs fine in TP Pro Build 9860.
    Last edited by Brink; 19 May 2015 at 12:14. Reason: removed broken link
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 3,453
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanx Adam... damn these certificates

    I'll add Authenticode signing when I get home tonite...

    Cheers.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 17,841
    Windows 10
       #4

    Superfly said:
    Thanx Adam... damn these certificates

    I'll add Authenticode signing when I get home tonite...

    Cheers.
    Just add the suggestion to 'Unblock' the file in the original post.
    Works fine Superfly.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 3,453
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Great tip Edwin, Thanx :)
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 803
    10 Pro Preview x64
       #6

    Or you can click on "more info" and then "run anyway".... (Found it in the end).
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 3,453
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Just an FYI:

    For those that have installed Windows 7 COA key and have faded stickers...and may require it for the Windows 10 free upgrade.

    I posted an update at EF... ShowKeyPlus
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 3,453
    Thread Starter
       #8

    FYI: New release posted in OP.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 7,128
    Windows 10 Pro Insider
       #9

    Just being curious. My computer came with Windows 8 pre-installed. The last line in ShowKeyPlus shows:
    OEM Key: Windows 7 OEM marker present in firmware. Shouldn't it say Windows 8?
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 3,453
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Winuser said:
    Just being curious. My computer came with Windows 8 pre-installed. The last line in ShowKeyPlus shows:
    OEM Key: Windows 7 OEM marker present in firmware. Shouldn't it say Windows 8?
    Yes, it should - it may be a bug where the SLIC and MSDM tables are getting mixed up... does the previous version show your Win8 key?
      My Computer


 

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