Abstract This document will cover details about what makes up a Microsoft CD Keys and how they are authenticated. With the rush in of Windows'95, Microsoft has implemented a CD Key to either help foil piracy or to track their software thoughout the world. It was brought to my attention by a Microsoft Production Manager that they use this for their regional tracking, and also for product codes. They also understand the weakeness of the key. I find this a little bothersome. Here are some points: If you do not supply a valid CD Key, you cannot install the software. For all you people that claim Hit the ignore button, that only appears in beta versions of Microsoft products (besides too many of you replied that very same message, looks like you downloaded too many Windows'95 betas from the internet!). It was also brought to my attention by R. Pickett, that upgrade versions of Windows'95 allow you to use the Ignore button, but require that you have an older version of Windows installed. My Plus Pack and Visual Basic Professional, they both share the same first 3 digits. How does this seperate the 2 products? People on the other side of the United States have the same first 3 digits of some of my software. What? Is Microsoft only tracking by continent now? Is there really a sequence to the last seven digits that can be recognized as a regional code? If you can answer these questions please inform me!. In either case, the CD Key is real a hassle on my part. I either lose the cases or my kids eat the sticker. Great how am I suppose to reinstall my software when my system crashes? Also if this IS being used as a scheme to foil piracy. It doesn't work, because one can easily copy the CD as well as the key. C Source code is provided to show how a key can be authenticated. CD Key Details CD Keys are interchangable between Microsoft Products employing this scheme. This means you.
I am no fan of Microsoft for a lot of different reasons which I won't go through here. However, one of the things that I think is so insane is the silly OEM registration sheets that they ship with CDs. Anyone who is thorough enough to copy a CD would certainly copy the OEM registration number. However, the average guy who just files the CD away after a successful installation may very well separate the actual CD from the little sheet with the OEM regsitration number. Fortunately just about any Microsoft OEM registration number will do. So this web site is to help out people who have legitimately bought/received a Microsoft CD ( OEM variety but have lost their sheet with the registration number. If you purchased your MS CD software separately (it did not come with your computer you need to follow the link to MS CD Keys. That link may also be useful if you have current OEM software that uses the latest 25 character keys. I am now preparing a suit against Microsoft for misrepresenting their copyrights under the DMCA and so on. I also believe that their CD keys are primarily intended to defraud consumers from their legal rights to use the software (in the hope that they will lose the CD keys and have to buy another license, this time directly from Microsoft). So, I would like to include a class action suit of consumers who: purchased a computer with OEM licenses, lost their key, had to reinstall their software, but were blocked by Microsoft key validation software, and either purchased an additional license at a store (hence were defrauded by Microsoft) or used information on my site to permit them to reinstall their legally purchased software If you are a U. S. resident (preferrably of upstate New York) and can document your purchases as above (what a pain please send me an email at brian@brian.carr.name (take out the space). I will need your full name and.
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