The Windows 10 product key is usually a very crucial code that helps you prove you have a valid Windows license. You’ll need it for several different reasons, like during installation, activation, or reinstallation of the operating system.
For whatever reason, Windows keys are no longer prominently displayed on physical labels or packaging. But not to worry, there are still several other methods available to help you find it.
This guide will provide you show you where to find Windows 10 product key with various methods.
This Article Covers:
How to Find a Windows 10 Product Key
- To open the Command Prompt as an Administrator, press the Windows key.
- Type “Command Prompt” in the search bar.
- Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey
- After running the command, Windows will retrieve your product key, and it will be displayed in the Command Prompt window.
What Is the Difference Between a Product Key and an Activation Key?
Although they are sometimes used interchangeably, the terms product key and activation key have distinct meanings and functions. A product key is a unique code that contains both numbers and letters and is used to verify the authenticity and legality of a copy of Windows or other software.
It is typically required during the installation or activation process. The product key is specific to the version and edition of Windows being installed and serves as proof of purchase or licensing.
Once activated, the product key is associated with your hardware configuration and stored on Microsoft’s servers.
This lets you reinstall Windows on the same device without needing to re-enter the product key. A good example of a similar one is the Microsoft Office product key.
An activation key, also known as an activation code or license key, is a code or file that is used to activate or validate a software license.
When you enter the product key during the activation process, Windows verifies its validity and then generates an activation key specific to your hardware configuration. This activation key is stored on your system and is used to activate and validate your copy of Windows.
In summary, the product key is the initial code you enter to prove that you have a valid license for Windows, while the activation key is the code or file generated by Windows during the activation process to confirm that your specific installation is genuine and licensed.
How to Find Your Windows 10 Product Key
From utilizing built-in system tools to using third-party software, we’ll explore different approaches to help you retrieve your Windows 10 product key, including the following:
- Checking for the code on your purchase
- Using CMD
- Using Powershell
- Using Registry Editor
- Using a third-party tool
- Contacting Microsoft Support
How to Find a Windows 10 Product Key Physical Code
Some of the time, your product key for Windows 10 is given to you when you make a purchase of a brand-new device or software.
Here’s how you can find your Windows 10 Product key:
- Check the packaging or documentation:Â If you bought a physical copy of Windows 10, the product key might have been printed on a sticker inside the box or referenced in the accompanying paperwork. Look for a label or card with the key on it.
- Check for a sticker on your computer: Some laptops, particularly those that are pre-built, may include a sticker on the chassis that displays the Windows 10 product key. Look for a sticker with a 25-character sequence.
You can also check your online purchase log to find your activation. It will most likely be shared with you through your account on the site you bought it or through email.
If you’re unable to locate the product key with this method, then you can try finding it on your device with the following methods.
How to Find a Windows 10 Product Key Using CMD
The command prompt lets you input specific commands to perform a wide range of tasks, such as navigating the file system, managing files and directories, running programs, configuring system settings, and troubleshooting issues.
To find your Windows 10 product key using the Command Prompt (CMD), you can follow these steps:
- To Open the Command Prompt as an Administrator, press the Windows key.
- Type the words Command Prompt in the search bar. Before you finish typing it, the program will likely appear in the suggestions.
- Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey
After running the command, Windows will retrieve your product key, and it will be displayed in the Command Prompt window.
If the command doesn’t work or doesn’t display the product key, it may be because your system uses a different method to store the key. In that case, you can try one of the alternative methods mentioned earlier, such as using third-party software or checking the Windows Registry.
How to Find Windows 10 Product Key Using Powershell
Windows PowerShell is a powerful command-line shell and scripting language developed by Microsoft. With PowerShell, you can perform a wide range of tasks, such as managing files and directories, configuring system settings, and even finding your Windows 10 product key.
To find your Windows 10 product key using PowerShell, you can follow these steps:
- Go to Start by clicking on it or pressing the window key.
- Type “PowerShell” in the search bar.
- Right-click on Windows PowerShell and select Run as administrator.
- In the PowerShell window, type the following command and press Enter:
(Get-WmiObject -query ‘select * from SoftwareLicensingService’).OA3xOriginalProductKey
- After running the command, PowerShell will retrieve your product key, and it will be displayed in the PowerShell window.
How to Find Windows 10 Product Keys Using Registry Editor
The Windows Registry stores a range of system information, including the product key. Follow these steps to find Windows 10 product key in registry:
- Press the Win+ RÂ keyboards shortcut to open the Run dialog box.
- Type “regedit” (without quotes) and press Enter.
- Go to the following path by copy-pasting it to the text box at the top:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersion
- Â Look for the entry named Backup ProductKey on the right-hand side. The value data for this entry contains the product key.
How to Find a Windows 10 Product Key Using a Third-Party Tool
Another simple way to find your Windows 10 product key is to use a third-party product key finder.
A quick Google search will show you a couple of Product key-finder tools, some for free and others for a subscription. Some good ones include Lazesoft and LicenseCrawler.
Here’s how to use a key finder to find your Windows 10 product key:
- Go to the Lazesoft site and download the software.
- Double-click on the .exe file to open the program. The file does not need to be installed.
Most of the product key finders will work in the same way.
The program will display information about your device, including your Windows 10 product key.
Remember to exercise caution when using third-party software. However, be careful when using third-party tools since they aren’t safe, and some may carry malware that will harm your device.
Contact Microsoft Support
To find your Windows 10 product key by contacting Microsoft Support, you can follow these steps:
- Open a web browser and visit the Microsoft Support website.
- Click on the Contact us link to access the support options.
- Choose the appropriate support option for you, such as Open Get Help or Chat with Support.
- You may need to sign in to be able to contact Microsoft support.
- Microsoft support will guide you through the verification process to confirm your identity and ownership of the Windows 10 license.
- Once your identity is verified, the support representative will provide you with the Windows 10 product key or guide you on how to locate it on your system.
This is usually a last resort since it can take time for Microsoft Support to get back to you.
Related: Microsoft office alternatives for 2023
How to Activate Windows 10
Once you get the product key, here are the steps for how to activate Windows 10:
- Click on the Start button, which is usually located in the lower-left corner of the screen, and then click on the gear-shaped Settings icon.
- In the Settings window, click on the Update & Security option.
- Go to the Activation tab from the left sidebar.
- Under the Activation tab, click on the option to Change product key.
- In the Change product key window, enter your valid product key for Windows 10. The key should be a 25-character code.
- After entering the product key, click on l Next. Follow any on-screen prompts or instructions that appear to complete the activation process.
Windows will attempt to verify the product key and activate your copy of Windows 10. If the key is valid and successfully verified, your Windows 10 installation will be activated.
Upgrade to Windows 11
If all else fails, you may just have to upgrade your Windows system to Windows 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Code to Find the Windows 10 Product Key?
If you’re using the command prompt to find the Windows 10 product key, then you can enter the following code:
wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey
After running the command, the Windows product key will be displayed in the Command Prompt window.
This command retrieves the product key for Windows 10 using the Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line utility.
If you’re using Windows PowerShell, then you can use the following code for the same results:
(Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey
What Happens if You Don’t Activate Windows 10?
If you fail to activate Windows 10 with your product key, you will experience certain limitations when using your device, for example:
- A watermark will appear on your desktop screen at the bottom right corner, indicating that your copy of Windows is not genuine. This can obscure parts of your screen.
- Â You will have limited access to personalize Windows, such as changing the desktop background, theme, colors, and other customization features. Some personalization options may be disabled or locked.
- You also won’t be able to use Microsoft support for any technical issues or assistance. Microsoft provides support services primarily to activated Windows users.
- Although you’ll still receive critical security updates from Windows Update, you may not receive optional updates, including feature updates. This means you could miss out on the latest features, improvements, and bug fixes.
- Some features and functionalities of Windows 10 may be limited or disabled. For example, you may not be able to change the lock screen image, access certain settings, use Windows Store apps, or enable certain system features.
- In some cases, unactivated copies of Windows 10 may experience reduced performance compared to activated versions. This can be due to restrictions on system resources or optimizations limited to activated copies.
Is It Safe to Activate Windows 10 Without a Product Key?
While it is possible to use Windows 10 without activating it, an unactivated copy may have certain limitations and restrictions. Unactivated Windows 10 may display watermarks on the desktop, restrict access to certain features and customization options, and periodically prompt you to activate the product.
We, therefore, do not recommend activating Windows 10 without the product key. Instead, you can find the product key with the methods we’ve shown you above or contact Microsoft Support.
Bottom Line
Finding your Windows 10 product key is essential for various tasks, such as activating the operating system, reinstalling Windows, or troubleshooting issues.
In this article, We’ve shown you how to find a Windows 10 product key in all the possible ways. If you followed our steps, then you should have found it by now. If you found this guide helpful, you can also check out our guide for
Related:
