How to Find Your Windows Product Key? 6 Quick Ways

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Where Is Your Windows Product Key Located?

The location of your Windows Product Key depends on how you acquired your copy of Windows:

• Pre-installed by Manufacturer: If your PC came with Windows pre-installed, the product key might be stored in the BIOS/UEFI firmware or printed on a sticker on your computer or inside the battery compartment.
• Retail Copy: If you bought a retail copy of Windows, the product key is usually on a label inside the Windows packaging.
• Online Purchase: If you purchased Windows online from Microsoft, the product key should be in the confirmation email you received after purchase.
• Digital License: If you upgraded to Windows 10 from an eligible copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8, you might not have a product key. Instead, your activation is managed via a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.

Here are several methods to find your Windows Licence Key:

Method 1: Using Command Prompt

Let’s start by using Command Prompt to find your Product key. Use the steps below:

• Press ‘Win + S’ to open the ‘Windows Start’ menu search field.
• Type “CMD”. This will display the Command Prompt in the Start menu.
• Click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as Administrator”. Make sure you are logged into an administrative account to do this.

• Type the following command and press ‘Enter’:
  wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

Your 25-character product key will be displayed under “OA3xOriginalProductKey.”

• Make sure to save a copy of your product key by either taking a screenshot or writing it down for future reference.

Method 2: Find Product Key Using PowerShell

The second method involves using Powershell, here’s how you can utilise it to find your Product Key:

• Click on the ‘Windows key’, type “PowerShell”. 
• Right-click on “PowerShell” and select “Run as administrator”.

• In the PowerShell window, type or copy and paste the following command, then press ‘Enter’:
  powershell "(Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey"

Your product key will appear directly below the command. If it doesn’t appear immediately, try entering the command again and press Enter.

Either take a screenshot of the results or write down the product key.

Method 3: Using a Third-Party Tool

There are several third-party tools available that can retrieve your Windows Product Key. Some popular ones include:

• ProduKey
• Show Key Plus

Simply download one of these tools, follow the instructions provided, and retrieve your Windows Product Key.

Method 4: Check the Sticker on Your Device or the Receipt

If your computer came with Windows pre-installed, there might be a sticker on the case or inside the battery compartment with the product key. Look for a sticker labeled “Windows Product Key” or “Certificate of Authenticity”.

Or if you purchased a digital copy of Windows, either online or through the Microsoft Store, you should have received a confirmation email. This email contains your Windows product key. Check your email inbox for the confirmation message to find your product key.

Method 5: Reach out to Microsoft Support

If the above methods don’t work, you can reach out to Microsoft Support for personalized help:

• Access “Settings” by pressing the ‘Win + I’ keys shortcut.
• Go to the “System” tab and select “Activation”.
• Click on “Get Help”.

• Choose the relevant product and select “Contact Support”.
• Enter your phone number, and a support agent will contact you.
• Adhere to the on-screen instructions given by the support agent.

Method 6: Using the Windows Registry

You can also use the registry to find the product key but editing the Registry can cause damage to your Windows operating system. So, do not modify or move any files unless you are experienced and sure of what you are doing.

• Press ‘Win+R’ to open the “Run” dialog. 
• Type “regedit” and press ‘Enter’ to open the “Registry Editor”.

• In the left panel of the Registry Editor, navigate through the following folders to find the “SoftwareProtectionPlatform” folder:
  HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > SoftwareProtectionPlatform
• Double-click on the “BackupProductKeyDefault” file. Your 25-character product key will be displayed in the “Value Data” field. You can also see the product key under the “Data” column next to the “BackupProductKeyDefault” file.

• Ensure you save a copy of your product key by either taking a screenshot of the results or writing it down for future reference.

By following the methods and instructions provided, you can easily locate your Windows Product Key and ensure your system remains activated and fully functional.

If your key is stored in a .zip and it’s corrupted — learn how to recover a faulty ZIP archive here.

Cheers!