Hello,

Ok so I installed Windows 7 pro 64-bit on my laptop. I obtained Windows through an MSDN account I had through my school. My MSDN account is no longer active as I have graduated from the school. The problem I'm having is that I totally torched my Windows installation (don't ask me how). Anyway my only option is to re-install Windows. I had the license written down on a CD, but I can't seem to find it. I have used Produkey to try and extract the key from the drive, but the problem is that I have a volume license key which is not stored in the registry so Produkey will not find the key. My question is: is there any way to obtain the key without having to call Microsoft? The only thing I can think of is to call the MSDN admin at the school, and see if he can give it to me, but that's kind of a long shot.

Thanks in advance,

Farva.

Go through the phone activation route and explain the issue.
I found them to be very helpful in cases like this.

How to Reveal Your Windows Product Key in All Current Versions of Windows (http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/how-reveal-your-windows-product-key-all-current-versions-windows.htm)

:D

As I understand it, Product keys for software obtained through an MSDN account are only valid as long as the MSDN account is active.

Thanks for everyone's quick responses to this. ScottGem I really hope that isn't true. I have a buddy that is using the same volume license key for his Windows installation, and he graduated at the same time as me, and his is still going strong. I don't think that is true, because it's the same license key for everyone, whether you still have the MSDN account or not.

NeeKarma I have tried the suggestions on the site with no luck. I currently have the drive in an external hard drive enclosure, and connected it to a working Win7 PC, and ran both Magic Jelly Bean and Produkey and they both return the same results. Since this is a volume license key the key is not stored in the registry so Produkey and Jellybean can't find it.

Curlyben I think I'll have to do what you suggested and just call Microsoft. I was trying to avoid that, but if it's my only option than so be it.

Wow I'm retarded. I totally just thought that I can get with my buddy that is using the same license key, and get if from him.. Jeeeez how did I not think of that before? Well thanks anyway for eveyone's help. Truly appreciated.

As I understand it the key doesn't deactivate the software, but if you need to re-enter the key it will no longer work.

Ah that makes sense... That would totally suck if that's the case. I have the OEM version of Windows that came with the laptop, but it is home premium, and I would like to have professional. Can you add home premium to a domain? That's really my only concern.

No, I believe you need Pro to add it to a domain.

None of the home versions have domain functionality..

Well that stinks. Oh well I guess I shouldn't have been dumb, and completely wiped out my MBR partition.

I believe that with Windows 7 VL editions, the key isn't enough. You need to have a KMS server. However, I have just been doing some reading, and it appears that Microsoft has VL activation centers. They might be able to give you a hand, especially if you can find the original product key.

https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/existing-customers/product-activation.aspx

Microsoft Volume Licensing - Activation Centers (http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/existing-customers/activation-centers.aspx)

https://www.microsoft.com/Licensing/servicecenter/default.aspx

Thanks for the info InfoJunkie! I will give that a shot when I get off work.