When you install a program or a game from a CD, frequently you will have to use a CD key to register the program. If you fail to provide a CD key, you'll be unable to access the program. This means that if you install the program at a later date and lose the CD key, you'll be unable to access the program. However, there is a workaround as Windows keeps track of the CD key in the registry.
Instructions
1.
Launch Regedit. This is a program found on all computers that is used to access the registry. Go to the "Start" menu, and type "regedit" into the Run box in order to run the program.
2.
Click the "+" beside "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE." This will display a bunch of options.
3.
Click on the "+" beside "Software."
4.
Click on "Microsoft." You now need to browse through the folders until you locate where your program is installed.
5.
Double-click on the "Product I.D." Write down the middle two number strings--this is your CD Key. For example, if the number you see under Product I.D. is 29856-137-1364789-94856 you would select "137-1364789" as your product key.
