# Determining the CDKey for Windows XP **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 5, 2009, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-the-cdkey-for-windows-xp/501955 "2009-07-05T03:00:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirka_T_Bawa)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-the-cdkey-for-windows-xp/501955/1 "2009-07-05T03:00:00Z")
I have two computer loaded with the same version of Windows XP in my house. I need to reload the OS on this computer due to a virus. I have the two CD keys next to each other, but don’t know which is which. So… How can I tell what the CD Key is on a Windows XP computer? Neither copy has been deleted yet. I don’t need the CD Key, I just need to know which is on which computer. How would I find this out? ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-the-cdkey-for-windows-xp/501955/2 "2009-07-05T03:09:04Z")
Try them both, only the correct key will work. SSG Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![Lazlo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lazlo/32/9678_2.png) [@Lazlo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lazlo)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-the-cdkey-for-windows-xp/501955/3 "2009-07-05T03:14:59Z")
Look up “magical jelly bean.” ---
**Author:** ![Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirka_T_Bawa)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-the-cdkey-for-windows-xp/501955/4 "2009-07-05T03:15:09Z")
> [@SSG\_Schwartz](#): > > Try them both, only the correct key will work. > > SSG Schwartz They are both OEM versions of Windows XP, from my experience the installation media won’t matter, so they will both actually work. I just want to make sure there will be no conflicts later on, since both these computer will end up networked together. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-the-cdkey-for-windows-xp/501955/5 "2009-07-05T03:19:01Z")
> [@Lazlo](#): > > Look up “magical jelly bean.” Seconded. This utility will show you all your currently installed Microsoft keys. ---
**Author:** ![Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/db5fbb/32.png) [@Hirka\_T\_Bawa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hirka_T_Bawa)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-the-cdkey-for-windows-xp/501955/6 "2009-07-05T03:23:54Z")
> [@Lazlo](#): > > Look up “magical jelly bean.” Thanks, this is exactly what I needed! Now time to reload windows (Oh what fun!). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-the-cdkey-for-windows-xp/501955/7 "2009-07-05T03:26:58Z")
FYI, Belarc Advisor will also tell you the CDKey for Windows, along with a bunch of other information about the computer. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2009, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/determining-the-cdkey-for-windows-xp/501955/8 "2009-07-05T13:03:10Z")
Produkey and Keyfinder will also tell you the key of the installation. Have a look also at [Unlocking WinXP’s setupp.ini](http://www.thetechguide.com/howto/setuppini.html).