Why do I need the product ID code for windows? Windows98 was already on my system when bought it. Doesn't that mean I already own Windows?

if you're reinstalling windows you will need that code again. thats what i know from my experience.

i've reinstalled windows 98 se over itself several times and never needed to enter the product key or id...you may need the key if you have formatted you HD and are starting over from scratch... you can find your product key and product id by clicking start , run , type in regedit, and then click plus sign in front of hkey_local_mach + sign for software + for microsoft +for windows then click on current version (not +) and scroll down right side looking for product key and product id...

Installing an OS over itself doesnt require the key. You will need this key katie when you corrupt your system with a virus that cant easily be cleaned. You will need the key when a toddler learns how to use the delete key while navigating thru windows explorer. You will need the key when youve loaded so much junk on to the HD it takes 20 minutes to open an explorer window.

The Product Key is what setup asks for, not the Product ID. Once you have found it, use an indelible marker & write it directly on the CD. You have no idea how many posts there are on this forum about people who have lost the Key & can't install Windows. Dave

Guess it must be one of those " system variables" BUT, I have full version win 95 CD and upgrade win98 CD, and both ask for product keys even when installing over existing windows setup(NOT formatted) as in; a windows setup repair. This has been the case on ALL the machines I've had, so it must be version dependant. These versions are retail not OEM or proprietory recovery disks. Original win95, on 13 floppies, also requires product key each time setup is run.

"Installing an OS over itself doesnt require the key." Ive never seen this happen not even with recovery disks. Everything but the corporate edition asks for the key every install. My experience is limited to several hundred CD's of the various DOS to Windows XP CD's ive installed over the years so my estimates might not be correct.