Finding your Windows 10 product key can feel like a treasure hunt. It’s often hidden on a hard-to-reach sticker on your computer hardware or hidden in the physical copy’s packaging — assuming you haven’t already tossed the box.
However, before you crawl into a closet or behind your desk looking for the 25-digit alphanumeric code on the back of your PC, there are less drastic ways to track down your Windows 10 product key.
This tutorial shows you how to find your Windows 10 product key using the power of the operating system. We have also published suggestions. How to Find Your Product Key in Windows 11.
How to Find Your Windows 10 Product Key
The success of any of these methods depends largely on how your PC was activated. If you activated Windows 10 by upgrading from a valid Windows 7 or 8 installation or with a recent computer purchase, you’ll likely find a product key with most of these methods. However, if your PC was activated as part of an organization’s licensing agreement, finding a product key may be more difficult.
1. Command Prompt
The most straightforward way to find your Windows 10 product is from the command line.
- Kind of
cmdIn the Windows 10 desktop search box. - Then, right-click on the command line result.
- Select Run as administrator from the context menu.
- Type this command at the prompt:
wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
As shown in the image below, the command will display your current Windows 10 product key.
2. PowerShell
If you are using Windows 10 PowerShellthe process is as follows:
- Right-click the Start Menu button.
- Select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the context menu.
- Type this command at the prompt to display the product key.
powershell "(Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey"
3. Registry file
The product key is stored in the Windows 10 registry file, so it’s possible to find the code there if you know the correct key. To do this:
- Kind of
regeditSearch for Windows 10 desktop, and select the appropriate item in the results. - Go to this key:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform
As you can see below, the BackupProductKeyDefault key will display a valid Windows 10 product key.
Note: In my case, the Windows 10 product shown by both Command Prompt and PowerShell methods are identical. In the registry example, the product key is different. The best explanation I can suggest is that since I upgraded from Home to Pro on PC for example, the product key shown is for upgrading to Pro or vice versa. . If you have a better solution, Please let us know.
See: In Windows 10 and 11 S Mode: What is it, and should you use it?
Other ways to find your Windows 10 product key
Third-party vendors offer applications that can also find and display your Windows 10 product key. These applications do essentially the same thing we did here, but they introduce someone else’s programming and potential security issues.
Also, if you purchased Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store, product key information is available in your account order history.
Is the Windows 10 product key tied to my hardware?
If you purchased a device with an OEM key, such as a Dell or Lenovo laptop, the Windows 10 product key may be associated with your hardware. However, if you purchased a digital copy of Windows, you can transfer the license to another computer.
What should I do if I lose my product key after purchasing Windows 10?
According to Microsoftif none of the methods listed here work, you can contact your device manufacturer to find the product key. However, this will only be possible if your device is still under warranty. If all else fails, you may need to purchase a new retail license.
Can I transfer my Windows 10 license to another computer?
Yes, just note that Windows 10 licenses are for use on one computer at a time.