Windows – How to read the Windows Product Key from a partially rubbed-off sticker

license keywindows

I know all about Magic Jellybean Keyfinder and other solutions to find the key from within Windows. These are not what I'm after because the key they found is the OEM key, and I am trying to reinstall Windows 7 from a clean iso. I have a valid Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker with a unique product key on the bottom of the laptop, but it is partially rubbed off. Any tricks to deciphering the key?

Best Answer

First, through trial and error in the Windows activation dialog, I discovered that the only possible characters are these (others are rejected): 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 B C D F G H J K M P Q R T V W X Y

The real breakthrough was this comment from Tom's Hardware:

"Old School technique worked for me. Soft lead pencil go over faded area gently so you don't tear sticker and my digits appeared..."

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1691850/windows-product-key-rubbed.html

Lightly rubbing with a soft (2B) lead pencil indeed clarified the characters I was missing.

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