CNET Editors' review
Microsoft Office is a large and expensive software package. If you buy it, it's wise to save your Product ID and CD Key codes, preferably in a secure yet accessible place. The same goes for SQL Server and Exchange Server, and throw Windows in while you're at it. Failure to do so can result in elevated stress levels, should you need to repair or reinstall the software. If you didn't jump through all the hoops in the proper order, you're probably going to have to telephone Microsoft, and we know how you feel about that.
That's why we think it's probably not a bad idea to download and run NirSoft's ProduKey. This compact freeware identifies and displays the Product ID and CD Key for Microsoft Office, Windows, SQL Server, and Exchange Server. If you've lost the codes you need to reinstall these large bundles, ProduKey can help you recover them. It's an extremely simple tool, and completely portable as well. We simply clicked the program's icon, and it immediately opened with the Product ID and Product Key codes displayed for Windows 7, Internet Explorer, and Office. ProduKey also displayed the Installation Folder, Service Pack, and other extracted data. We could choose what headers we wanted the program to display from the Options menu, as well as grid lines, time display, and other settings. We could save, search, and copy data and call up properties pages from the toolbar, which also contained a Select Source feature for choosing how the program loads product codes. A Web-based Help file and documentation sheet contained lots of useful information such as version histories and known issues. It also does a good job of explaining how to use this admittedly simple tool, mostly in the form of Command-Line Options for power users.
ProduKey is a great little tool to have on hand, especially if you shelled out big for some hefty MS wares. Even if you don't download it, don't you feel better just knowing it exists?
Publisher's Description
From NirSoft Freeware:
ProduKey is a small utility that displays the ProductID and the CD-key of MS-Office, Windows, Exchange Server, and SQL Server installed on your computer. You can view this information for your current running operating system, or for another operating system/computer, by using command-line options. This utility can be useful if you lost the product key of your Windows/Office, and you want to reinstall it on your computer.
What's new in this version: Version 1.53 fixed bug where ProduKey displayed wrong product name string for Exchange Server 2003.
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All versions:
3.6 starsout of 34 votes
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Current version:
4.2 starsout of 9 votes
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My rating:
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Results 1-9 of 9
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"Produkey Works"
Version: ProduKey 1.53
Pros
All i can say that produkey does what it says
Cons
none at all
Summary
There is really not much to produkey, just download it and there you go
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"It Worked for me"
Version: ProduKey 1.53
Pros
It found what I wanted (Office 2010 Key) right away.
Cons
None that I can think of.
Summary
I downloaded 5 prorgams. One gave a full key, but it was WRONG. Others gave only a few characters unless you pay. Others didn't even find it. One word: Winning (Sorry, I just had to say it.)
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"Excellent, does exactly what it says"
Version: ProduKey 1.53
Pros
Found all my Windows related product keys as promised
Cons
None that I have found
Summary
Worked excellently for me with Windows 7, Office 2010 and various other Ms bits and pieces
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"No better than other simpler installations"
Version: ProduKey 1.53
Pros
Found Office multi-user product keys and Vista product key.
Free.Cons
Did not find single user key of a multi-user Office license, as is the case with ALL other product key finders that I was able to test.
Requires installation, while most other programs only have an EXE file that runs without installation.Summary
Cannot find single user key of a multi-user MS Office 2010 license.
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"Information is limited, but program is very quick"
Version: ProduKey 1.53
Pros
- Does exactly what it says for a limited number of Microsoft products
- Runs virtually instantlyCons
- Could do more if it included keys from other Microsoft and non-Microsoft products
- Some Microsoft products were misidentified.Summary
Programs like Belarc Advisor provide license and key information for all your software. Produkey seems to be limited to providing only the most basic information about Microsoft products. However, if all you want is a list of Microsoft keys, this program works virtually instantly. Belarc Advisor takes several minutes to analyze a broader cross section of your computer's hardware and software before displaying its report. For the most part, the information from Belarc Advisor matched the information from Produkey. But, there were inconsistencies, and these tended to point to flaws in Produkey. For example, Produkey reported that I had TWO copies of Microsoft Word 2002 installed. Belarc identified one product as being Microsoft Word, while the other was a component of Microsoft Visual Studio. Also, Produkey only identified five Microsoft products (with one of those being a duplicate), whereas Belarc Advisor identified twenty-seven Microsoft products on my machine.
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"It works well"
Version: ProduKey 1.53
Pros
No matter what, it works
Cons
None I know of
Summary
It works well.
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"I could of used this a couple of years ago."
Version: ProduKey 1.53
Pros
dose what is says, in the past i have lost the use of some programs and the manufactures were less than forthcoming with replacement keys. simple to install and use
Cons
none that i have run across
Summary
THUMBS UP !!!
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"Effective."
Version: ProduKey 1.53
Pros
Works as advertised.
Cons
None noticed.
Summary
Can be helpful if you have misplaced your info.
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"Exactly what I needed to get the job done!"
Version: ProduKey 1.53
Pros
Fast, easy and correct. I had used 3 other products and keep getting an invalid key error with Office 2010 Professional Plus.
Cons
Nothing, great product.
Summary
Will be using this again!
Results 1-9 of 9
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