I just built my wife a new computer and, along with the parts, bought a fresh OEM copy of Windows Home. When it came time to install the OS, I cut open the cardboard envelope and looked high and low for the treasured Activation Code. The code was nowhere to be found, so, I jumped on the web and started checking things out. One hit suggested that the twenty-five character code was printed in very fine print on the colorful little sticker inside. I found my magnifier and went to work. No code. There was however, a small, dull gray, rectangle measuring a mere 0.3"x 0.6". The little gray box reminded me of those scratch-off boxes you sometimes see in the mail. After a moment's consideration, I started scratching, and, to my amazement, underneath the waxy gray substance was the code in three lines.