Key Storage Systems

I have a legitimate copy of photoshop, but I get an error message that says in essence that my key is missing. After having done a system restore, btw. I have my key with me, but I do not have my installation disks. The fix for this standard error is to re-run the installer and just re-enter information, but this is obviously not an option for me. I could download a copy and use it to do, but it's too long.

So, in summary: Where do photoshop store its license key locally, and it is in a format that will allow me to change my key back in?

You can not even do that with a download, you need your copy of the key is unique to it.

They do not store keys or other hackers can access the keys and get a free copy of Photoshop.