Travel Technology - What Do You Guys Do With Microsoft Product Key Stickers?

There's a little sticker on the bottom of my laptop, Sicily (if a college student spends over $1,000 on something it ought to have a name), with the Windows product key which is about to get rubbed off. Is there any reason to leave it on there? I've never worried about this kind of security before because this is my first laptop. I guess I could use goo-gone.

Don't remove it.

It is the license to use the OS, and the only proof you have that the machine is running a legal version.

OK thanks, ScottC.

Make a record of it, too, in case you need it for a replacement.

Best wishes,

Teacher49

Microsoft is starting to require it for their free downloads, too. A few days ago I downloaded their new AntiSpyware, and the website required the OS product key from my laptop before it would allow me to download.

The good news is the new program works very well, it detected and removed some spyware that was directing all of my traffic through a proxy server and that a couple of other anti-spyware programs had failed to detect. Removing it cleared up a couple of very annoying issues I'd been having lately with my browser.

Microsoft is starting to require it for their free downloads, too. A few days ago I downloaded their new AntiSpyware, and the website required the OS product key from my laptop before it would allow me to download.


It wasn't required. On the second screen there was a button to download without the verification. That's what I did. All my copies of the OS are licensed, but I don't feel the need to allow Microsoft to verify that on my hardware.

-David

It wasn't required. On the second screen there was a button to download without the verification. That's what I did. All my copies of the OS are licensed, but I don't feel the need to allow Microsoft to verify that on my hardware.

-David

SOME downloads allow you to bypass the check, but others demand to know the key. Thankfully they can usually be found through other methods.

Don't lose it.

I had to use it earlier this week to install the antispam software on a laptop we got a couple months ago. Until then I would have said that you never ever need it and can get it other ways, but leave it, and make sure you have a copy of it someplace else if it's in a place it may rub off.

I wouldn't remove it either. But I don't keep them if they come on the boxes, cd cases or books with the software. I keep all of my software in one cd case and and throw all of that crap out. I have a master list which I update when I purchase new software and store it in my hotmail account, and on my usb hard drive.

If I build computers for friends, I tape all of the product keys for their software on the inside of the tower.