Software installation to 'unlock' or open the product. PIDs are used by MicrosoftĬustomer Service to help identify the product when customers engage Microsoft for support.Ī Product key is a unique combination of numbers and letters that is used during Microsoft As per their website on the subject: A PID is created after a product is successfully installed.
Don’t confuse these with Process Identifiers). Microsoft products have a very specific way of doing this, and it involves Product Identification Numbers (PID for short. Reasons for registering could include customer support or simply keeping a program functional after a 30 day trial period. You’ll also probably need keys for everything else you buy further down the line.
When you buy a shiny new PC sporting a copy of Windows, you’ll find it comes with a key for product activation.