How Can I Locate My Windows 98 Product Key?
 

The Windows 98 Certificate of Authentication Product Key Code will be required if you reinstall or upgrade Windows 98.
 

The Product Key is a 25 digit alphanumeric code that is located on the lower right hand corner of the Certificate of Authenticity.
 

The Certificate of Authenticity is the front cover of the "Getting started: Microsoft Windows 98" manual.

If you are unable to locate your " Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98" booklet, you can still retrieve the Product Key from your existing installation of Windows 98.

This information is stored in your windows registry. To access your windows registry, use the following procedure.

Click START | RUN.  
 

In the open box type REGEDIT and press Enter. You will see a window that is labelled "Registry Editor".
 

Locate the folder "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" and click on the plus "+" to the left of it.
 

Locate the folder "SOFTWARE" click on the plus "+" sign to the left of it.
 

Locate the folder "MICROSOFT" click on the plus "+" sign to the left it.
 

Locate the folder "WINDOWS" click on the plus "+" sign to the left of it.
 

Locate the folder "CURRENT VERSION" and click on the folder icon.
 

Look on the right side of the registry editor window.

You will see many entries organized into "NAME" and "DATA" columns.

You are looking for the "VALUE", under the "NAME" called "PRODUCTKEY". The Product Key is located to the right. It will be similar to this;
 

Productkey "XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX"
 

Write the code down.

Click the close button, the "X" in the upper right-hand corner of the "Registry Editor" window.