Software Key retrieval

[BO Terry]

On numerous occasions, I have had a drive that I removed from a computer and connected it to a workbench computer via a USB hub. I've had great success copying files using this method but want to find a way to extract license keys. I have a technicians version of SIW which works great if you run it on a working computer but not on a USB connected drive. Has anyone had luck with this scenario?

Thanks!

 

[MichaelBits]

You should look into Fabs, several posts about it around here.

There are many programs to pull keys.
Just a couple examples. Some are free, some aren't.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html
https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Fabs has one packaged with it.

You may also want to invest in a real HDD dock that connects with SATA and get away from using USB. You will get faster transfers and be able to check SMART data.

 

[BO Terry]

You should look into Fabs, several posts about it around here.

There are many programs to pull keys.
Just a couple examples. Some are free, some aren't.
https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html
https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Fabs has one packaged with it.

You may also want to invest in a real HDD dock that connects with SATA and get away from using USB. You will get faster transfers and be able to check SMART data.

Thanks, Michael. I've used MagicJellyBean but it didn't work when connected in this way.

On the docking station recommendation, do you have a recommendation?

I saw a few posts about Fabs, I will check it out. Thanks!

 

[cypress]

Produkey from Nirsoft is great. Especially with the Fabs integration.

 

[MichaelBits]

Using USB tends to limit your ability to work with drives. Could be why your key puller wasn't working.

I just use ones like these in a couple transfer machines. Not necessarily a recommendation, but what works for me and my "workflow."
https://www.amazon.com/Kingwin-Universal-Tray-Less-Backplane-Enclosure/dp/B00M3WNWB2/
Cheap and generally work. Just had one die on me after about 3 years of use though.

Have one like this at home:
https://www.amazon.com/Syba-5-25-Tray-Mobile-Extra/dp/B00834SJ8K/


Everyone has their favorite.

 

[Markverhyden]

A +1 on the tools above. But make sure you understand the OEM's licensing specs. Just because someone puts in a key does not mean it stays on the machine.

 

[BO Terry]

Thanks, Michael. I have not seen these before and look forward to checking them out. Pretty reasonable pricing too.

 

[Porthos]

What keys are you trying to get??

 

[BO Terry]

Hi, Porthos. I don't have anything today but recently had a Windows 10 OS key I was trying to retrieve as well as an Office key (I think it was 2010 or 2013). The tech version of SIW does a great job when retrieving from a bootable machine but not on a drive connected to a USB docking station. I plan to get one of the hot swapable/trayless drives soon and will test again on one of those.

 

[Porthos]

Office key (I think it was 2010 or 2013)

2010 and older you can get. 2013 and 2016 and future ones you cant with any tool.

Windows 10 OS key

If the computer had Win 10 on it already you do not need a key just install and skip the key and it will activate online.

 

[Diggs]

You may also want to invest in a real HDD dock that connects with SATA and get away from using USB. You will get faster transfers and be able to check SMART data.

There's a few issues with SATA docks. Hot swapping is a huge issue for even eSATA and running a dock on SATA means you need Device Manager to manually find or uninstall your dock drive as motherboard support for SATA hot-swap is spotty.

I run quite a few eSATA and SATA docks but the convenience of USB 3 is hard to beat even if I personally prefer not to use them. (I've never had a problem accessing SMART data via USB.)

 

[Porthos]

Using USB tends to limit your ability to work with drives.

I have a bench machine dedicated to pulling data (Side cover off) but most of the time I just run my tools from a PE flash drive. I use the PE to test smart before I do anything else. Even Fab's workd from PE.

 

[Main10x]

I use a program called Recover Keys. With that program you can get all the keys on the drive, internal and external and it is saved into a neat word or excel document. Program is very reasonably priced.

 

[GTP]

I use a program called Recover Keys. With that program you can get all the keys on the drive, internal and external and it is saved into a neat word or excel document. Program is very reasonably priced.

Is it licensed for "technician use?"
It looks like they have a Home, SMB and Enterprise licence but that is for own use.
Can't see anything about being able to use it in a workshop scenario.

 

[Porthos]

Can't see anything about being able to use it in a workshop scenario.

Portable license allows you to use Recover Keys on unlimited number of computers within one company (license is per user, where user is a person or a company).

After you purchase portable license you will receive separate ZIP archive with portable executable and optional USB-thumb drive installer. Basically, USB-thumb drive installer just extracts contents of ZIP archive into selected USB-drive.

Originally this license was introduced specially for PC-repair-shop alike businesses, which are working with customer's computer hardware, but cannot afford Enterprise license.

Portable license No network support $99.95 Order now

 

[mikeroq]

2010 and older you can get. 2013 and 2016 and future ones you cant with any tool.

You can get the last 5 of the product key if the OS is bootable.

Run this in command prompt:
cscript "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15\OSPP.VBS" /dstatus

Change out Program Files for Program Files (x86) if it's 32 bit office on a 64bit machine. Change out Office15 for Office16 for 2016 version. I'll just drill into those folders from cmd til I find the one which has the ospp.vbs file.

Which may or may not help. All the Office 2013/2016 installs I do if the customer has a Microsoft account that I have access to I will tie it there. If they don't or I don't have details I add it to one of ours. Most of them are on our accounts. I record the key from portal for reinstall so you don't have to mess with logging into the account and picking the correct one (that you can't label!). At least they finally put the date on there when you added it to the account and made the key easier to find.

Pretty much get all my keys from Produkey from Nirsoft. I only reinstall what I have the key for if it's licensed unless it's free. I don't reinstall all programs but I will reinstall pretty much anything available on Ninite.

 

[Porthos]

You can get the last 5 of the product key if the OS is bootable.

There only a handful of cases that those 5 digits would help.

 

[mikeroq]

There only a handful of cases that those 5 digits would help.

Yes I said it may or may not help. They help for me on these licenses that I don't have recorded (lost my spreadsheet from that time period). I can lookup when we bought the office and then look for it on our accounts. For just reinstalling John Smith's computer that someone else installed office on, not so much.