If you have been buying software for some time, you know how messy it gets when maintaining a record of all those product license keys - some are printed on software boxes, inside email messages, at the back of CD jewel cases while some developers provide registration details in loose paper that's so easy to misplace.As your software inventory increases, it becomes all the more important to prepare a proper record of all your software at one place. It need not be an Excel spreadsheet and we'll show you an alternate approach:
1. Use Belarc Advisor - This free utility creates a detailed profile of all software installed on your computer including their current version numbers and serial numbers that you have entered while installing the software. It could even identify OEM product keys in some cases.
Here's a snapshot of Belarc's report - it could easily identify most of the software on our machine including products from Adobe, Microsoft, Nuance, Sonic, etc.
2. When you purchase a software through a webstore, store a copy of the online receipt (that has the registration details) as an image using any screen capture program or Firefox extensions.
Adopt a standard naming convention for these images like Vendor_Software_Version (example: Symantec_Norton_360.jpg) - that makes it very easy to sort and locate software licenses in future - and since we are using real screen captures, the chances of making errors are almost null.
3. If the software key is printed on a physical medium like CD or paper, use your cameraphone or digital camera to capture a image of the license key and archive the picture as shown in the previous step. Make sure the camera flash is turned off as that is likely to wash out the print during capture.
For instance, here's an actual image of the DragonNaturally Speaking 9 installer CD that carries the registration code at the top. (The actual image is much larger and very readable)
4. If the license information is an email message, save that as a plain text or PDF file using the same standard naming convention we adopted above.
Now we have one folder that stores all our software licenses in text or image form. Quick and simple. And if you have to backup all your license information, simply archive this folder.
Find this article at: http://labnol.blogspot.com/2007/04/backup-your-software-license-keys-and.html
web: http://www.labnol.org/ email: amit@labnol.org
Reader Comments
Be careful!!
The key that Belarc displays for Windows is NOT the real key so don't rely on it for a true back-up.
Do yourself a favour and record the Windows key that is on the authentication sticker if you don't have it recorded elsewhere.
Regarding the other keys that Belarc produces, in my case, they are the real deal.
Written on 12/4/07 2:47 AM
I wanted to format one of my laptop as its full of junk and could not do bcoz most of the cd keys of installed programs were either lost or misplaced.Looks like you felt my problem and posted this article.
Tussi great ho Amit!
Written on 12/4/07 3:22 AM
Very good points. I do that myself except for the naming convention which is a good idea. I have online backup which makes it very simple. But it is surprising how many people I talk to don't and when their computer crashes they are in a world of hurt
Written on 12/4/07 1:02 AM
This article was so great! Thanks so much for posting this, it will save my life if I have to redo my computer which I may just have to do soon!
Written on 12/4/07 1:14 AM
Amit, one concern I would personally have in using something like Belarc is the safety of the keys. What if it is passed on through a worm to someone else. My keys would be flying on the net in few mins, and being sold on 'deal' sites.Do we know if Belarc is absolutely safe on this count?
PS: The CAPTCHA on your blog is getting too long!
Written on 12/4/07 11:55 AM
@Peter - wow! really feels good to learn that you are already doing something similar.
@Albyxx - Thanks for that warning. That's where a photo of the Windows Authentication sticker on the CPU will help.
@Rajesh - I think you trust Belarc without doubt - even BSA recommends that software for software audits on home computers.
Yes, it's a risk if your Belarc Advisor Report makes way on the internet. But why should that happen if you are careful.
And sorry for the length of the CAPTCHA - wish that was in my hands.
Written on 12/4/07 12:19 PM
I'm already doing something similar, though when it comes to naming convention, I did something to my list where I'm the only one who will [1] understand it; [2] know which-is-which; [3] what's the correct order of the keys; [4] which keys are original and crack; [5] 256-bit encryption of the file.
Coz I agree, if that files goes out, there goes your original keys - byebye.
Still best option is writing it down, but the con is, if you lose it and it goes to someone who understands what s/he's looking at :p
I guess there's really no fool-proof way of gathering and securing our original keys. It really comes down to our personal security practices - whether offline, local machine, network, or online.
Written on 17/4/07 9:00 PM