What's the purpose of the Backup product key in registry


jimbo45

jimbo45

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Hi folks

Any of you Learned Windows Gurus can help here please.

There's a backup product key in the registry file in the chain windowsNt-> etc -- anybody know what this actually does and is it the same as the original product key --I can't tell as I've lost the original key. W11 is licensed and activated BTW.

Reg link is : Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform

Cheers
jimbo
 

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jimbo45 said:
-- anybody know what this actually does and is it the same as the original product key --
Click to expand...
Sorry, I don't know what its used for; maybe it's one of the MS 'generic' keys?

However, I've just checked the quoted registry key on my system and it is NOT my current poduct key.
 

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From memory I think it is there to assist with the OS install for when you don’t enter a product key during install.
Once installed and running, if you’re connecting to your account online, it will identify that you have a digital Windows license key.
 
Last edited:

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  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5039
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    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    1000/400Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
@jimbo45

I used my Win 7 retail key to install Win 10 in May 2020.
Then I did an In-Place upgrade from Win 10 to Win 11, in July 2021 (Insider), and again in Oct 2021 (RTM).

The key in the registry is the generic Windows key...

www.elevenforum.com

Generic Product Keys to Install or Upgrade Windows 11 Editions

This tutorial will provide you with a list of RTM (retail) and KMS generic keys (default keys) for all editions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. Generic keys (aka: "default keys") for Windows 10/11 from Microsoft will allow you to install or upgrade to a specific Windows 10/11 edition you want...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com



Microsoft licensing.png
 
Last edited:

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    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 15 years?
Most times I've seen that is after Upgrading from Win10 to Win11. Some BIOSes may have an older key.
 

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    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
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    12GB
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    256GB SSD NVMe M.2
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    Dell Vostro 5890
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    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
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@antspants

@Bree

@Berton

Hi folks

Finally found out why my Windows iot Enterprise on Canary updated to Win 11 PRO rather than the iot enterprise verison.

Somehow I had a load of "Devices" linked to Ms digital licence. So I deleted the lot of them ( note even for store apps you are allowed a Maximum of 10). Then re-entered the generic key (the one from the registry under backup key) and the edition updated again to the proper iot Enterprise version.

Activation then as OK -- somehow the key had got lost / wiped in doing a load of copying from VM to physical machine and back again. Original product key was non existent in the system even using the powershell commands.

The wonder of Windows !!!!!.

So thanks guys.

All working again properly.

@Ghot

100% correct --it;s the generic key -- still useful as there's nowhere on the web to find a generic key for Win11 iot Enterprise which is the edition I have a license for and want to use !!!.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,7,10,11 Linux Arch Linux
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
(y)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe M.2
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 4TB Seagate HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
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