Is it possible to recover a software license from the back up copy of XP with out reinstalling XP?

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My computer was hit by a surge and took out the motherboard. I finally upgraded from XP to 10. I thought I had all my software and license saved but this one slipped by. I can extract individual files from the back up. I went to “%SystemRoot%System32config” and found the file “software” I opened it in a text editor and there was a lost of jibberish, expected and references to the software but I don’t have a clue how to find the registration number.

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Having had a Google for this, is there a file named wpa.dbl or wpa.bak in System32 ?

These files can reactivate XP after reinstalling onto a new hard drive but not onto a different motherboard, but not sure if either would contain the license key.

Was XP originally a retail or OEM install – if OEM then the key on the case sticker may still be legible.

Otherwise all I can suggest is to reinstall XP if you can and then download the free version of Speccy which may give you the license key.

Do you have a system image of when XP was installed to restore with after the reinstall ?

However, others may have alternative suggestions.

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Have a read through the command-line options of Nir Sofer’s Produkey…

BATcher

Plethora means a lot to me.

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Have a read through the command-line options of Nir Sofer’s Produkey…

Would XP not have to be reinstalled to use this ?

EDIT – Perhaps the /external cmd would do that with the disk inserted ?

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I don’t think “a software license” at #1 means a Windows key, so perhaps suggestions so far are off course?

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Produkey also does Office keys – it would be up to the OP to say if something other than Windows or Office was wanted…

BATcher

Plethora means a lot to me.

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Sorry this is for a third party software.

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Sorry this is for a third party software.

Perhaps you’d like to tell us what that software is….

With a 3rd party software you could contact the vendor as they will have a record of your email (usually) if you bought it online but without any specifics, there’s little we can add in the way of advice.

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