Many antivirus programs flag "key-getting" scripts as "PUP" (Potentially Unwanted Programs) or "Hacktool." While often a false positive, always verify the script's contents first. A Simple, Safe Example
echo Done. endlocal goto :eof
By understanding the underlying commands, respecting the security and ethical boundaries, and knowing the limitations of different license types, you can manage your digital assets with confidence and expertise.
:: Retrieve product key using Visual Basic script fallback echo [*] Attempting fallback method via VBS... echo Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell") > "%temp%\key.vbs" echo MsgBox ConvertToKey(WshShell.RegRead("HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId")) >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo Function ConvertToKey(Key) >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo Const KeyOffset = 52 >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo i = 28 >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789" >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo Do >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo Cur = 0 >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo x = 14 >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo Do >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo Cur = Cur * 256 >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo Cur = Key(x + KeyOffset) + Cur >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo Key(x + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24) And 255 >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo Cur = Cur Mod 24 >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo x = x -1 >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo Loop While x >= 0 >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo i = i -1 >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) ^& KeyOutput >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo If (((29 - i) Mod 6) = 0) And (i ^<^> -1) Then >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo KeyOutput = "-" ^& KeyOutput >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo End If >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo Loop While i >= 0 >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo ConvertToKey = KeyOutput >> "%temp%\key.vbs" echo End Function >> "%temp%\key.vbs" cscript //nologo "%temp%\key.vbs" del "%temp%\key.vbs"
Here’s a safe, non-malicious version you can save as get-keys.bat : get-keys.bat
The existence or execution of this script indicates a failure in the security chain:
@echo off title Windows & Office Key Retriever echo ======================================== echo Windows & Office Key Extractor echo ======================================== echo.
For those who prefer or are required to use PowerShell, Microsoft's more advanced scripting environment offers an equivalent command. Open PowerShell as an Administrator (right-click the Start button and select "Terminal (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)") and run:
if "%DRY%"=="0" ( echo Report written to %OUTFILE% ) else ( echo Dry-run complete: no report written. ) Many antivirus programs flag "key-getting" scripts as "PUP"
What are you trying to achieve (e.g., verifying a security alert, writing your own deployment script)? Share public link
Never double-click a batch file from an unverified source.Follow these steps to safely check what the script does before running it. Step 1: Open with a Text Editor Right-click the get-keys.bat file. Select or Open with and choose Notepad . Review the text commands inside. Step 2: Look for Red Flags
It may use copy to move these to a temporary staging folder before zip-compression or exfiltration. Detection & Safety Considerations
Automating the generation, rotation, or distribution of Secure Shell (SSH) keys across multiple network endpoints. :: Retrieve product key using Visual Basic script
: The script is trying to write keys into a protected folder like C:\Program Files . Fixed by right-clicking the batch file and selecting Run as Administrator .
But what exactly is get-keys.bat ? Is it a native Windows tool? A virus? A magic spell written in 1980s syntax?
%AppData%\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data\Default\Login Data (Browser passwords) %UserProfile%\.ssh\id_rsa (SSH private keys)