Are you not able to locate your Windows 10 key? Whether it is lost in the email or word file with the product key got accidentally deleted. Whatever the case may be, your Windows key is lost what you have on your mind is “how to find my Windows 10 product key”.
Read the blog till the end, and you may have just found the solution you have been wanting. But before that let’s get down to few basics
What is Windows 10 Product Key? Why Do We Need Windows 10 Product Key?
- If you have a computer that didn't come with a digital or printed license key, then odds are it's embedded in your UEFI firmware or BIOS. The beauty of this method is that don't need to know your key, nor activate Windows; it's all done for you. But, if you want to retrieve your Windows key, it's simple.
- If you bought a computer installed with Windows 10, you may find the serial key on the Microsoft-branded sticker on your PC case.
The price of the Windows 10 serial key is too much and why to waste money on buying windows 10 key. I will help you to get windows 10 working keys and it is totally free. If you have upgraded your original windows 7 or 8.1 to Windows 10 then you will have to get a digital license key. Instead of a product key. If you bought a pre-built computer or laptop that came with Windows, then you probably have an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) Windows license. This opens up the possibility that your OEM will know which product key goes with your computer’s. Well, Windows 10 is right now the most used desktop operating system. Compared to every other desktop OS, Windows 10 has more features and options. Let’s admit, there are times when we need to get our PC’s serial number. We are not talking about the Windows activation key; we are talking about the serial number that’s assigned to your PC. Step 3: Double-click 'windowsproductkey.vbs' and pop-up window shows Windows 10 product key. Method 3: Find Windows 10 Product Key Using Command Prompt. You can also use Command Prompt to find the lost Windows 10 product key and here are the details. Step 1: Type command prompt in the search bar and run it as administrator.
In the simplest terms, the Windows 10 product key is a 25 character long code whose main purpose is to activate Windows. It appears in the form of alphabets and numbers, and it helps a person access all the features of Windows 10.
Now you must be wondering why I need to find or check my Windows 10 product key. You see, there might arise a time when you might want to change your computer, upgrade your Windows 10 or even reinstall your Windows.
Get Windows License Key using PowerShell To find your Windows 10 Product Key, open a PowerShell window with administrative privileges, type the following command and hit Enter: powershell '.
You will thank us for having your Windows 10 product key handy.
How To Find My Windows 10 Product Key
Here are some extremely simple ways to find your Windows 10 product key in no time at all –
1. Using The Command Prompt
Command Prompt is a doorway to so many wonderful things and to find product key in Windows 10 is one of them. For this, you will have to open the command prompt with administrative rights. Here are the steps to check the Windows 10 Product Key via command prompt.
- Type cmd in the search bar next to Windows icon
- From the right pane choose Run as administrator
- Once the command prompt opens, copy and paste the following command-
wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey
- Press enter
It would help if you now had your product key right in front of you.
2. Notepad
Another neat trick with the help of which you will surely be able to find your Windows 10 product key is using the Notepad. There are a series of commands that you’ll have to enter. Don’t worry, copy-paste the command and do as we say.
- Open the Notepad
- Copy and paste the following command
Set WshShell = CreateObject('WScript.Shell')
MsgBox ConvertToKey(WshShell.RegRead('HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionDigitalProductId'))
Function ConvertToKey(Key)
Const KeyOffset = 52
i = 28
Chars = 'BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789'
Do
Cur = 0
x = 14
Do
Cur = Cur * 256
Cur = Key(x + KeyOffset) + Cur
Key(x + KeyOffset) = (Cur 24) And 255
Cur = Cur Mod 24
x = x -1
Finding Your Win 10 Serial Key Free
Loop While x >= 0
i = i -1
KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput
If (((29 - i) Mod 6) = 0) And (i <> -1) Then
i = i -1
KeyOutput = '-' & KeyOutput
End If
Loop While i >= 0
ConvertToKey = KeyOutput
End Function
3. Save as product key.vbs
Remember adding the .vbs in the end.
Double click onicon, and you should be able to see your product key.
3. Product Key Finder
Don’t feel like diving into commands and stuff?
Not a problem, here’s an easy route. There are several product key finder software that can help you find Windows product keys in no time. The moment you install and fire them up, they provide you with keys of not just the version of Windows you are having but every software on your computer.
4. PowerShell
PowerShell is yet another force to reckon with in Windows 10. From zipping/unzipping files in Windows 10 to completely wiping off the hard drive, there is so much that Windows PowerShell can do for you.
Here’s yet another wonder that is capable of, you can even try retrieving the Windows 10 product key using Windows PowerShell (Admin). It’s a relatively simple process.
- Fire up Windows PowerShell (Admin) by typing PowerShell in the search bar next to Windows 10 icon and click on Run as administrator
- Once the Windows PowerShell (Admin) window opens, type the following command in the command line
powershell '(Get-WmiObject -query ‘select * from SoftwareLicensingService’).OA3xOriginalProductKey'
4. Press Enter
You will be able to find Windows 10 product key in no time at all.
Hope We Were Of Help
If you’d been scratching your head and wondering how to find Windows 10 product key, we earnestly hope that we have been able to deliver the right solution. The above ways are quick and easy. If you have a better and faster way, shoot it in the comments section below. If you have more such questions regarding Windows 10 troubleshooting problems, do let us know in the comment section below. Till then, do read other engaging Systweak blogs and follow us on Facebook and YouTube.
Responses
A Windows product key is a 25-character code used to activate Windows. It looks like this:
PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Locate your product key for Windows 10
Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10, you'll need either a 25-character product key or a digital license to activate it. A digital license (called a digital entitlement in Windows 10, Version 1511) is a method of activation in Windows 10 that doesn't require you to enter a product key. Without one of these, you won't be able to activate your device.
Where to find your product key depends on how you got your copy of Windows.
Select any of the following to see more information:
A new PC running Windows
The product key is preinstalled on your PC, included with the packaging the PC came in, or included on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to the PC. For more info, contact your hardware manufacturer, and for pictures of authentic product keys and COA labels, see How to tell your hardware is genuine.
A copy of Windows 10 from an authorized retailer
The product key is on a label or card inside the box that Windows came in. For more info, contact the retailer that sold you Windows 10. How to tell your software is genuine.
A digital copy of Windows 10 from an authorized retailer
Find your product key in the confirmation email you received after buying Windows 10 or in a digital locker accessible through the retailer’s website.
A digital copy from a Microsoft website
The product key is in the confirmation email you received after buying your digital copy of Windows. Microsoft only keeps a record of product keys if you purchased from the Microsoft online store. You can find out if you purchased from Microsoft in your Microsoft account Order history.
Free upgrade to Windows 10
If you upgraded to Windows 10 for free from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you should have a digital license instead of a product key.
Windows 10 Store App
If you bought Windows 10 Home, Professional, or Upgrade to Pro in the Windows 10 Store app, you'll receive a digital license instead of a product key. You can use the digital license for activation.
If your product key is scratched, blurred, or otherwise unusable, contact the retailer who sold you the product. If you aren't able to get help from your retailer or have already tried and couldn't get a working key, call Microsoft Support.
For more information about digital licenses and product keys in Windows 10, see the “Methods of Activation” section in Activate Windows 10.
Locate your product key for Windows 7 or Windows 8.1
A product key is usually required when uninstalling or reinstalling Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. Generally, if you bought a physical copy of Windows, the product key should be on a label or card inside the box that Windows came in. If Windows came preinstalled on your PC, the product key should appear on a sticker on your device. If you’ve lost or can’t find the product key, contact the manufacturer. To ensure your product key is genuine, see How to tell your software is genuine and How to tell your hardware is genuine.
Related links
Finding Your Win 10 Serial Keys
Windows authenticity
For info about how to tell if your copy of Windows is genuine Microsoft software, see the How to tell page.
Windows download and installation
For more Windows 10 download info, see Download Windows 10.
If you need installation media to install or reinstall Windows, see Create installation media for Windows to learn how to create your own installation media using either a USB flash drive or a DVD.
Windows activation
If you need more help with activation, see Activate Windows 10.
If you're getting an activation error, seeGet help with Windows activation errors.
If you’re reinstalling Windows 10, you might not need a Windows product key. See Activation in Windows 10 for more info.
If you're reinstalling Windows 10 due to a motherboard problem or some other hardware issue, see Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change.
Other product keys
If you're looking for product keys for Office, apps, games, and more, see Find your Microsoft downloads and product keys