How to Check an XP Product Key Before Installing.

To install Windows XP, you will need to enter a Windows XP product key, which is a unique combination of numbers and letters that comes with your installation package, totaling 25 characters divided into groups of five. The product key will be required each and every time you install and re-install the operating system. It is therefore important to know how to locate and identify this unique key for current and future use.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

1
Locate your Windows XP product key on the back of the installation CD or DVD case. It will appear on a yellow or orange sticker. Other ways of locating the XP key are also available.

2
Insert the installation CD into your PC and locate a folder called "i386." Find the file UNATTEND.txt inside this folder, click on it and scroll down to the last line of the text in the file. This is the XP product key.

3
Look for a sticker with the XP key on the side of your PC if the operating system originally came pre-installed and you do not possess the installation CD/DVD.