Windows Registry is a finicky database

Question: I purchased Microsoft Office 97 and the CD-ROM case got broken and thrown out. I want to know if there is a place in the Windows 95 registry where I would be able to find out what my CD KEY number is. –PJD

Answer: The registry is a very useful part of Windows 95 and NT. It stores all kinds of neat information about your system and the software installed on it. It’s like a little database. The problem is that it’s a finicky thing which can be completely corrupted if you go into it and mess around without knowing what you’re doing.

To avoid problems, I use the “Look, but don’t touch” rule.

To open it for a look-see, go to Start > Run and type regedit and then click OK. This opens the registry, which looks a lot like a file manager.

You can find the Microsoft Office CD Key in the registry under “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE”. Double-click it and it expands to reveal a list of folders. Follow them as follows: SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Office 97 Professional > (a number) > Registration. The number in brackets should look something like 97.0.0.XXX, etc. The Xs are numbers and brackets. This example above uses Office 97 Professional. Your version may be different and will probably be listed under a different Office product name. When you get to Registration look for the ProductID entry on the right side of the screen. Next to it will be your registration number.

But why go registry diving when this information is available under the Help menu in any of the Office products? Under Excel’s Help menu, for example, you’ll find it under About Microsoft Excel.

You can also get your CD key from your Control Panel. Double-click the System icon and select the General tab. The CD key should be listed under the Registered to: heading.