Uniquely identify PC based on software/hardware

Question

For a requirement to generate per-PC license keys, I need some code which will return a stable and (near) unique key on any PC. It doesn't have to be guaranteed unique, but close. It does need to be reasonably stable though, so that a given PC always generates the same result unless the hardware is substantially changed.

This is for a Windows application, using wxWidgets but a Win32 or other option is fine.

I was thinking about MAC address but what about laptops which can routinely disable the network card in power-saving mode? I came across GetCurrentHwProfile but it doesn't quite look like what I want?

Answer 1

One idea I had a while back for this is to use CryptProtectData as a way to identify a machine. Behind-the-scenes in that API, Microsoft has done what you're looking for. I never tested it though and I'm curious if it's actually viable.

Basically you would encode a constant magic value with CryptProtectData with CRYPTPROTECT_LOCAL_MACHINE, and the result is your machine ID.

Answer 2

I think there no really easy and unique method so far discovered here.

1. GetVolumeInformation retrieves not even close to unique ID.....
2. To use any hardware serial is problematic because manufactures are not committed to supported it always and especially to keep it globally unique
3. GetCurrentHwProfile retrieves GUID but it's value affected by minor! hardware changes...
4. Using Product Key ... will bring U to deal with the stolen software - there lot of pirate installations over the globe.
5. Creation of own GUID and preserving it under registry (in any place) will not prevent duplication by cloning of image ....
   etc... From my perspective of view the best way is combine: Volume ID + MAC's list + Machine SID + Machine Name. And obviously manage license policy on the server side ;0)

Regards Mickel.

Answer 3

For a pretty brain dead test I am using the ProductID code of the OS and the computer name - both extracted from the registry. Not really secure, but its all pretend security anyway.

edit

To answer John's question about what keys I am reading:

SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProductID

SYSTEM\CurrentControlset\Control\ComputerName\ComputerName\ComputerName