If your PC is still running, you can get the activation key from Windows itself. The apply-titled program ProduKey does this job quickly and easily. The program is free and portable; you don’t have to install it. You do need to download the right 32- or 64-bit version.



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ProduKey

You can also get this key from Belarc Adviser, a free (but not portable) program that offers all sorts of useful information.

Once you’ve got the key, put it somewhere safe. Mr. Freeman suggests taping it to the outside of the PC.

One more suggestion: When your PC is set up the way you want it, create an image backup on an external hard drive. This provides you with a quicker and easier way to restore Windows. You won’t need the activation key, and the restored version will have your programs and settings.

Windows 7 and 8 both come with image backup programs, but I prefer the more versatile EaseUS ToDo Backup Free.