Halo CD Key Recovery Tool

AN UPDATE FOR THIS APPLICATION HAS BEEN RELEASED.

THE UPDATE IS IMMEDIATELY BELOW.

Created by Limited, TheGhost

Original Post: http://www.modacity.net/forums/showp...7&postcount=98

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9710/cdkeyscreenie.png

Instructions

To use this program, simply download the .exe file and run it. The CD key will appear automatically.

Double click the key to copy it to the clipboard.

Updated v2.0 - Works for both 32bit and 64bit.

> > Download HERE < <

> > Download Mirror < <




ORIGINAL APPLICATION IS BELOW (v1.00)

I needed a small project to brush up on some C# programming, so I wrote this in a few hours. It's a program that parses your encrypted Halo CD key from the registry in case you've lost it.

Halo CD Key Recovery Tool

by TheGhost

http://files.h2vista.net/software/hkr/gui.gif

(Note: The CD key above is not real)

Lost your CD key? This program can help you if you've already installed Halo on your computer.
Your CD key is stored encrypted in the computer's registry. This program parses and decodes the digital
product ID, leaving you with your original CD key as it appeared on your CD case or manual.

Download the program here.

Instructions:

To use this program, simply download the .exe file and run it. The CD key will appear automatically.

Note: You must have the .NET Framework 2.0 installed in order to run this program.

Original inspiration came from -Laser- from a thread of his on the GBX forums. I ended up using different process than he did, but I figured this was a useful thing to be able to do, and doing it by hand was really quite a pain in the ass.

Awesome man, this is going to be really helpful for alot of people.
I remember my CD-Key from the top of me head =p

Awesome. =D

How does it encode it, is it MD5 hash because that would be impossible to get back into a key, words are hard enough :P

Quote:

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Original inspiration came from -Laser- from a thread of his on the GBX forums. I ended up using different process than he did, but I figured this was a useful thing to be able to do, and doing it by hand was really quite a pain in the ass.

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Actually you did it the same way but oh well.

+REP

nice ghosty :D

I think rec0 found a way to get CD keys from key hashes iirc, but of course a method like that should absolutely not be public.

As for the application, I don't see me needing it, but it's still cool :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Limited

Actually you did it the same way but oh well.

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What? You can't even see the code. How do you know how I'm doing it?

He could have disassembled the program... - but for some reason I doubt he did. :p

hehe, nice app, I actually glued my cd key to my keyboard, but this will come in handy :)

+ rep for joo, in return, I want as many red boxes as you can. :D

Finally! :D

Uh oh, it says no halo registry values found >_>

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheGhost

What? You can't even see the code. How do you know how I'm doing it?

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Some things have to be done in the same way no matter if the "idea" is maybe different.

The code maybe done differently, but the process is exactly the same.

Thats just my thoughts. Whos cares if you did do it same way? this is faster and easier because its a program.

=D

I'm not trying to like take credit away from him or something, I'm just stating that you're absolutely wrong by saying that the decoding was done the exact same way. This isn't a matter of opinion or something, it's a fact.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheGhost

I'm not trying to like take credit away from him or something, I'm just stating that you're absolutely wrong by saying that the decoding was done the exact same way. This isn't a matter of opinion or something, it's a fact.

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Ok okay =D


Show your code then, maybe some one else can help you make it more user friendly :O

Wait, what do you mean? All you do is run the progam and it gets the key for you. How could it be more user friendly?

It needs to know when someone has lost their CD-key, then it automatically downloads itself to that PC and runs the application... >_>

I don't see how it could be improved in anyway (except for the fact that a lot of users apparently haven't been able to use this properly...)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheGhost

Wait, what do you mean? All you do is run the progam and it gets the key for you. How could it be more user friendly?

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Does it go straight to C key, because other ppl have it installed in say D.

etc, maybe theres a way you can get hte user to input the letter or the location of key or whatever idk

:O

It checks the registry. In the registry it doesn't matter what drive you've installed it to. When you install Halo, I was under the assumption that it always put the key in the same place: HLKM\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft Games\Halo. For everyone who's said it "doesn't work" they've never been able to show me anywhere else that it's installed in the registry.

It worked just fine for me. Great program!

workd fine for me, and i have halo's installed in my D hard drive.

=D

It can also do your Windows XP CD-Key if I point it to the Windows directory. :p

Someone else already did that... ;)

Sorry to bump, but man, that would help me a lot. I forget things most of the time and that app can help me. =D

What, the Halo CD Key Recovery tool, or the one for Windows XP?

How you figured out how to extract your key if you do NOT have Halo PC Installed? Halo CE Only perhaps?

That would be MORE useful since a lot of ppl may not have PC installed.

It works for CE and PC. The program checks for both. If you have one, or the other, or both, it will display it.

This is definitely a cool tool. I have had to find my AutoCAD code in the registry files a couple of times at home. (The official copy is a t work and I didn't feel like going up there to get it.) For the life of me, I get lost every time. This will be a time saver if I ever lose the codes to the programs you mentioned.

BTW, since it works for XP, shouldn't it work for most other programs or does the registry file directory vary too much for other programs?

It should theoretically work for anything encoded with a Microsoft Product ID - they use the same encryption.

it does not work for me though...... :(

Go to HKLM > Software > Microsoft Games > HaloCE, what do you see?

the same as usual.

"No Halo registry values found"

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheGhost

It works for CE and PC. The program checks for both. If you have one, or the other, or both, it will display it.

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What if you installed Halo PC and Halo CE with different keys? :p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Digikid

the same as usual.

"No Halo registry values found"

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I want you to physically open up your registry editor and navigate to that directory.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rescudo

What if you installed Halo PC and Halo CE with different keys? :p

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I believe it looks for PC first :p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheGhost

I want you to physically open up your registry editor and navigate to that directory.

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okay...I did that and the directory is not there at all...yet haloCE is indeed installed and working fine..

WTF? :confused:

\EDIT: oh you left out the MICROSOFT in that....it is supposed to be:

HKLM > Software > Microsoft > Microsoft Games > HaloCE and even there I do not see any key.

...you aren't supposed to see a key, but some hexadecimal numbers... isn't there a key called "DigitalProductID"?

This application was really useful for me yesterday - Halo PC was screwed over and exceptioned when I started it, so I decided to reinstall it. That's when I needed to find my CD-key, 'cause I didn't have the cover at the time... thank you, Ghost! :)

=)

I find it most helpful when I'm LANing with a bunch of people and a lot of us are using the same keys (I have a bunch that we used to install it on all of the computers). Sometimes there is a conflict and this is the easiest way to figure out which two people are using the same one.

This works great! Now can you make one for serious sam: FE?

Suppose you HAD CE installed but then uninstalled it and want to reinstall but can't find your CD key?

Then lets hope you have halo PC installed. >_>

Is there a way to change the CD Key in the registry?

Yes, there is. But right now it seems easier to uninstall and reinstall than to write an app to encrypt the key and change it in the registry. =(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheGhost

Yes, there is. But right now it seems easier to uninstall and reinstall than to write an app to encrypt the key and change it in the registry. =(

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It converts the binary to some format doesnt it ghost?

If so it would just require doing the steps backwards and adding a bit of code

Yes, essentially. But doing things backwards isn't always incredibly easy. Take for example MD5 encryption. It's open source how the encryption is done, but it's impossible to just "do the steps backwards" to get the original string before it's hashed. I might look into it.

If you guys are talking about a "keygenerator" type thing that's very hard to do.You have to find the relation from one key to another.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TheGhost

Yes, essentially. But doing things backwards isn't always incredibly easy. Take for example MD5 encryption. It's open source how the encryption is done, but it's impossible to just "do the steps backwards" to get the original string before it's hashed. I might look into it.

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Thats true, but going by that dudes post on gbx that way can be reverse, I might give it a go, but one other question, does the cd hash come from cd key or is cd hash from the actual CD.

i.e what would changing the cd key actually do like whats the point once its in :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Patrickssj6

If you guys are talking about a "keygenerator" type thing that's very hard to do.You have to find the relation from one key to another.

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Not to mention keygens are slightly immoral

Oh I know why ghost cant do it backwards ;)

Don't worry ghost your secret is safe with me ;)

p.s. that radix part is harrrrrd

Yeah, I'm sure you have saved people a lot of money with this! I had a problem where I couln't find my CD key and wanted to install Halo PC but I had Halo Custom Edition Installed. I found my key, but I'm still curious if I could of used this program :cool:

For those that are getting an error message about no registry data found (I had the error too), are you running 64-bit Windows? If you are, your Digital Product ID is in a different key. You will find your DPID in "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Microsoft Games\Halo". To get your Key via the CD Key Recoverer, you will have to right click the DigitalProductID in the key and modify. Highlight all the contents and right click -> copy. Next, navigate to "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\" Right click the "Microsoft" folder (key) and Select New -> Key. Name the new folder (key) "Microsoft Games" without the quotes. Right click THAT key and create new key. Name that "Halo" without the quotes. Next, in the field on the right with the newly created Halo key opened, right click -> New -> Binary Value. Name that new item "DigitalProductID". Finally, right click the binary -> modify. Right click the "value data" field and paste the contents you copied earlier. Hit ok. Your CD Key recoverer should work now if you had Halo PC installed under a 64-bit OS.

So how do you edit the cd key if you already put something in?

could you make one for Halo CE plz:D

it would be a lot easier just to create a different program so that it only searches for a ce cdkey rather than both. This way we are not confused about which cdkey we see.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Limited

You use the same fucking CD key for both you freaking idiot

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I bought 2 cd-keys moron. the 2nd one from Microsoft. cause i got 2 pcs at home me and my bro both play!

So does it REALLY matter that much that you get the perfect one?

Also, why the hell do you have 2 different cd keys on the same pc? You said you got 2 pcs at home, surely they have one cd key each, no sharing one. And if you are sharing one, whats the matter if you read his key? You had to read his key when you installed it...

bs if you ask me

If you want a CD just ask.

thanks

Heh, I wanna learn C# now, I just never gots around to it :(

Tanks ghost.

Sorry to be a bother, and I do realize that I'm not in the correct area of the forums, but you seem to know what you're doing, but I was merely wondering if there was a similar program for Halo 2?

Nope, it seems that Halo 2's product key isn't stored in the registry, but in a file that I would have no idea how to read.

I just downloaded this program, yet it doesn't work. Is there something that I need to download additionally to make this application function correctly?

Can you be more specific than "it doesn't work"?

Call Bill, that always works

You're not funny. Anyways, I got the program working; thanks for the concern Conscars, it's nice to know some people are willing to help.

I used this tool, It says "No Halo Registery Values found"
What is wrong.:confused2:

You need Halo installed in order it for to have the program find your key.

lol hey guys i had this program... didnt work. downloaded it again. nope. i dont have dialup but yeah that could come in handy. (what i need is a cd key for h2. mine wasnt with the game. wierd yet true. dont ask me)

to be more precise... It wouldnt even load (ERROR) i forget what the error was.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ~Stf~ Chief

lol hey guys i had this program... didnt work. downloaded it again. nope. i dont have dialup but yeah that could come in handy. (what i need is a cd key for h2. mine wasnt with the game. wierd yet true. dont ask me)

to be more precise... It wouldnt even load (ERROR) i forget what the error was.

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:lmao:

Ohh what a coincidence...cracks don't happen to be working so well. :rolleyes:

I already know this will not work for me because I had to do a TRUE wipe of my hard drive meaning that there are no regestry values or folders left for halo. I think that a better solution would have been making something that checks that you have the CD in the disk drive then have it try to find a key for you based on that. The cd key for my Halo pc game is still on the CD slip that the game came with so I don't have it now. The slip is lost and I hope it didn't get throwen in the trash.

Except the CD only checks that you have a valid CD key, it doesnt have to be the one that came with it.

Also, you could just mount an ISO, so thats stupid >:|

what if u already accidently uninstalled halo before u remembered that u lost the key? the thing wint work then

Nope, it will go back through time and collect the key before you deleted the file :3.

Just telling you guys this app doesn't work any more. Awesome idea, but i think the new update has blocked it. if you can release a new version that would be awesome.

uh, the program works by getting the key from the registry, has nothing to do with what version of halo is installed.

i just tried it, and it worked fine on 1.08.

get the latest framework like the instructions say.

This tool needs to be updated for 64-bit versions of Windows.

I just tried running it on Vista, but the it gave me the error "No Halo registry values found."

It turns out that Windows Vista x64 stores the DigitalProductID under:

Code:

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HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Microsoft Games\Halo CE

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http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9710/cdkeyscreenie.png

Instructions

To use this program, simply download the .exe file and run it. The CD key will appear automatically.
Double click the key to copy it to the clipboard.

Updated v2.0 - Works for both 32bit and 64bit.
Download Here


I figured Ghost probably wont have time to update it to work for 64 bit and he might have lost the original code. So I coded it. Algorithm is Ghosts though, I take no credit for that :).

Cool beans

o.0 so many people thank you for this app being released. Here i knew about it for months now. Well all I have left to say is thanks for releasing it. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ssateneth

For those that are getting an error message about no registry data found (I had the error too), are you running 64-bit Windows? If you are, your Digital Product ID is in a different key. You will find your DPID in "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Microsoft Games\Halo". To get your Key via the CD Key Recoverer, you will have to right click the DigitalProductID in the key and modify. Highlight all the contents and right click -> copy. Next, navigate to "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\" Right click the "Microsoft" folder (key) and Select New -> Key. Name the new folder (key) "Microsoft Games" without the quotes. Right click THAT key and create new key. Name that "Halo" without the quotes. Next, in the field on the right with the newly created Halo key opened, right click -> New -> Binary Value. Name that new item "DigitalProductID". Finally, right click the binary -> modify. Right click the "value data" field and paste the contents you copied earlier. Hit ok. Your CD Key recoverer should work now if you had Halo PC installed under a 64-bit OS.

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Seriously its like people don't fucking LOOK THROUGH THE GOD DAMN THREAD BEFORE POSTING.

This is ridiculous, I do not see why everyone just skips the pages and goes directly to post, only to realize seconds later THEIR QUESTION WAS ALREADY ANSWERED.

Im sorry, but I just get pissed about shit like this. :maddowns:

Yeah, I knew you could do that.

That thought even crossed my mind before I posted.

But you shouldn't have to edit your registry for an application to work. If 64-bit operating systems are out, you shouldn't leave them in the dark and force them to find a workaround.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CodeBrain

Seriously its like people don't fucking LOOK THROUGH THE GOD DAMN THREAD BEFORE POSTING.

This is ridiculous, I do not see why everyone just skips the pages and goes directly to post, only to realize seconds later THEIR QUESTION WAS ALREADY ANSWERED.

Im sorry, but I just get pissed about shit like this. :maddowns:

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You are completely misunderstanding the reason programs and apps are made.

So that it cuts out the manual work you have to do. Converting a Halo PC map to a Halo CE map. Its possible to do it by hand, with the knowledge. Yet its long winded, unnecessary and it means the person has to have the knowledge of what bits to edit. Same with this, people are more likely to use an app, than work out/research that you have to fuck around with the registry making new keys, which will not get uninstalled when you remove the game I might add.

Yes, Limited has a point.

Most of the apps I wrote for HaloCE were to simplify manual work. The very first model I ever imported to 3ds max I did by hand. Yes, I know I'm insane. Then I wrote the GBXModel importer maxscript to do it automatically, and improved on it to do more and more things over time (bones, skinning, etc).

Eventually the app becomes no longer supported (most of the things I have written), and people require workarounds to preserve the functionality. At this point, there is nothing wrong with someone stepping up and updating the app as necessary. Many of my maxscripts have since been updated by other people, and now this too.

So yes, I thank you for updating the app to provide 64-bit users the same functionality as it provides to 32-bit users, and we can all stop arguing about this =)

I know this is a mighty bump but TheGhost, you seriously saved me here man.

Thanks for your app.

don't forget limited. :/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ssateneth

For those that are getting an error message about no registry data found (I had the error too), are you running 64-bit Windows? If you are, your Digital Product ID is in a different key. You will find your DPID in "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Microsoft Games\Halo". To get your Key via the CD Key Recoverer, you will have to right click the DigitalProductID in the key and modify. Highlight all the contents and right click -> copy. Next, navigate to "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\" Right click the "Microsoft" folder (key) and Select New -> Key. Name the new folder (key) "Microsoft Games" without the quotes. Right click THAT key and create new key. Name that "Halo" without the quotes. Next, in the field on the right with the newly created Halo key opened, right click -> New -> Binary Value. Name that new item "DigitalProductID". Finally, right click the binary -> modify. Right click the "value data" field and paste the contents you copied earlier. Hit ok. Your CD Key recoverer should work now if you had Halo PC installed under a 64-bit OS.

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Thanks a lot for your reply, over a year later and this thread just saved me :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Limited

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/9710/cdkeyscreenie.png

Instructions

To use this program, simply download the .exe file and run it. The CD key will appear automatically.
Double click the key to copy it to the clipboard.
Updated v2.0 - Works for both 32bit and 64bit.
Download Here
I figured Ghost probably wont have time to update it to work for 64 bit and he might have lost the original code. So I coded it. Algorithm is Ghosts though, I take no credit for that :).

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I tried downloading this after I had already manually edited the registry, but the link is dead. Might wanna update it for possible future users.

The link works for me, try again?

Oops, I had Peerblock running and it blocked it. My mistake, link is live :D

Sometimes those links do die though, I'll download and keep a copy just incase.

hey guys, got a bit of a challenge for ya. I think.

lost my CD case with the key. I had Halo installed on my old PC and upgraded, and used the old hard dive so I wouldn't have to transfer all the data.

the new PC has it's own OS, so the app can't find my key. if I knew where to look, I bet I could find the registry, and dig out the key for the app to find, but I am not sure where to look.

roommate has a CD so I can re-install from there, just want to get my key from the old registry