Windows Product Key is embedded in the computer’s BIOS/UEFI firmware and cannot be easily seen or accessed. You will find below different methods to find Windows 10 Product Key.
Find Windows 10 Product Key
Windows Product Key, also known as OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) Key is a 25 character long code used by Microsoft to prevent unauthorized use of its software.
The 25-character Windows Product Key contains letters and numbers, divided into 5 groups that are separated by a hyphen “-” and written in the following format:
Windows Product Key: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
The method to find Windows Product key varies, depending on whether Windows 10 was purchased from Microsoft, came pre-installed on your computer or was obtained by switching to Windows 10 from an earlier version of Windows.
1. Find Windows 10 Product Key Using Command Prompt
In case of new computers, Windows 10 Product Key is embedded right into the UEFI/BIOS firmware and won’t be available on the packaging or stickers attached to the computer.
1. Right-click on the Start button and click on Run.
2. In Run Command window, type wmic path softwarelicencingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey and press the Enter key on the keyboard of your computer.
3. Once the command is executed, it will display Windows 10 Product Key on the Command prompt window.
2. Find Windows 10 Product Key Using Registry Editor
While it is easy to locate the Registry entry containing the Product Key, you will need a third party software to convert Registry entries in to 25 Digit Windows 10 Product Key.
1. Right-click on the Start button and click on Run.
2. In Run Command window, type regedit and click on OK.
3. On Registry Editor screen, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MicrosoftNT\CurrentVersion.
4. Open CurrentVersion Folder and click on DigitalProductId entry in the right-pane to find Windows 10 Product ID.
As mentioned above, you will be needing a third part service to convert the coded registry entries in to 25 digit Windows 10 Product ID.
3. Use ShowKeyPlus for Windows 10
ShowKeyPlus is a free to use Open Source Software Program that can find Windows 10 Product Key on your computer.
You can Download ShowKeyPlus from GitHUB directly on your computer or download the program to a USB drive and Run the program from there.
The ShowKeyPlus Program for Windows 10 has a very simple user interface, most users should find it easy to use this program.
You can easily save the Product Key and other information displayed by this program to a text file by just clicking on the Save button.
4. Check Confirmation Email from Microsoft
If you bought a digital copy of Windows 10 from Microsoft, you will find Windows 10 product key in the confirmation email received from Microsoft.
If you do not have the confirmation email, you should be able to find the Product Key by logging in to your Microsoft Account and checking your order history.
Note: Only Microsoft and Amazon are authorized to sell digital copies of Windows 10. Other retailers selling Windows 10 product keys are not legitimate or genuine.
5. Check Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
If your computer came with Windows 7 or earlier versions of Windows operating system, Windows Product key will be available on COA sticker attached to your computer.
On Laptops, the sticker is usually placed at the bottom or at the lower right corner of the keyboard.
In case of Desktop computers, the sticker is fixed on the sides, at the back or inside the casing.