Windows Product Key

Looks like I have to pay fr the version that gives me the product key, but I think I can handle that. Seems from Noels Post that the laptop will run more efficiently and being just a little laptop, that may make more noticeable difference.
 
Plus my version of Windows has a fixed default Desktop back ground, so I can have something more interesting

Great tip, Jeff! Thanks. That could be a lifesaver someday.
 
My own insurance has been to maintain a master file that contains every serial number and product key I've ever installed, along with logins and passwords, bank account numbers and social security numbers for the whole family.
 
I've been copying that file forward from machine to machine for 35 years (its original incarnation was on an Apple ][ !). Granted, it would be a treasure-trove for an identity thief, but I keep it well-hidden and password-protected. 

bitflipper
 
My own insurance has been to maintain a master file that contains every serial number and product key I've ever installed, along with logins and passwords, bank account numbers and social security numbers for the whole family.
 
I've been copying that file forward from machine to machine for 35 years (its original incarnation was on an Apple ][ !). Granted, it would be a treasure-trove for an identity thief, but I keep it well-hidden and password-protected. 

Yes I do the same, except not for Windows, I usually have the book the CD, the box or whatever with the product key stored away, but for some reason I couldn't locate it for this laptop, that's when I had to call on the jelly bean.

Cactus Music
 
It is encripted text that only I will understand as the passwords are not verbatium but clues like 
"Top Drawer".    see that means nothing unless you know what I keep in my top drawer. 
And bank numbers are cleverly noted as phone numbers. 
 

Technically, it is not encrypted text but hints and misdirection. It would probably be safer to actually encrypt the list of secure items on you computer, then upload that encrypted database to the cloud. In that case even a clever guesser, and the cloud provider would not have anything to grasp. I have been using Keepass, which can easily store passwords, account and registration numbers etc. as well as screen captures and other files as encrypted attachments. Of course you can still use your personal hint system within an encrypted container, steganography in attached photos or whatever. The database and the program can be loaded onto a USB stick and used on any Windows computer without installation, but that probably exposes you to security loss if the computer you use it on is compromised. So it, like every other security system you use is only as secure as the computer you use it on. And at some point, you are going to need to transfer the actual password to an application, which will make it available to a keylogger, screen reader, clipboard viewer etc. on the machine you are using. Public computers are as secure as a billboard printed with your passwords. The cloud, dropbox etc. is only as secure as your computer, any computer it passes through, and any computer or removable, backup or discarded storage it is saved to. And of course any account that lets you use a password hint to recover your password has a hole big enough to drive a truck through. So never use anything anyone can guess. City where you were born? Syphilitic Orangutan.  So anything you can do to limit the ability of anyone to the file out of your control is a major benefit.
 
http://www.zdnet.com/article/dropbox-google-drive-onedrive-files-man-cloud-attack/?tag=nl.e539&s_cid=e539&ttag=e539&ftag=TRE17cfd61
 

bitflipper
Great tip, Jeff! Thanks. That could be a lifesaver someday.
 
My own insurance has been to maintain a master file that contains every serial number and product key I've ever installed, along with logins and passwords, bank account numbers and social security numbers for the whole family.
 
I've been copying that file forward from machine to machine for 35 years (its original incarnation was on an Apple ][ !). Granted, it would be a treasure-trove for an identity thief, but I keep it well-hidden and password-protected. 

In the used jocks draw hey!

+1 for Belarc Advisor
Serial Numbers and lots of detailed computer info all in one place. And if's free!

+ 1 for what Bob says. Great minds think alike ;-)

Plus i keep a copy on OneDrive for access anywhere.

Cheers,
Jerry

All good but the windows 10 product key you may get from it is effectively useless (unless you bought win 10 outright).

It's been a few weeks since I upgraded to Windows 10 but I believe when you down load the ISO it asks if the the down load is for the current computer or for another one. 

Yes it does. But when I tried it the key I was providing was not working. (But I had NOT first upgraded to Win 10 on that machine before trying to install the ISO... that may be the reason why).

The rule is. You must run setup within win 7/8 first, do not boot from DVD! After that you can do a completely clean install by booting off DVD/USB whatever. No upgrade, no authorisation, on a per machine basis. Bottom line.

Ah! Thanks Doktor... my post was replying to fscanlan and saw yours after posting mine. That will do it!