How to Find Your Windows 10 Product Key

By | December 29, 2018
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How to Find Your Windows 10 Product Key

When you purchase a new Windows 10 computer you might not be able to find the Windows product key sticker on the bottom or back of your PC or laptop. Back in the day, it was easy to find your Windows product key just by finding that sticker. Since all Windows 10 computers that you purchase from legitimate retailers have Windows OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) product keys it might be a good idea to find out what yours is and keep a copy of it just in case.

According to Microsoft you can reinstall Windows 10 (even clean install Windows 10) without a product key. Microsoft says Windows installed be installed and the key automatically detected without any input from you. Well –  that’s what they say.

It might be a good idea to find out what your Windows 10 product key is and write it down or print it out just in case. It’s quick and easy to do. And even if you don’t have a brand new Windows 10 computer, you can still use this tip to find your Windows 10 product key.

Here’s how:

1. Type CMD in taskbar search
2. Press Enter when you see Command Prompt appear at the top of the search results
3. At the prompt copy & paste (or carefully type) the following command:

WMIC PATH SoftwareLicensingService Get OA3xOriginalProductKey

(While case is not important, spacing is. The command above must be typed with the exact spacing shown. Best to copy & paste it.)

Cloudeight Windows 10 Tips

This does not work for you?

Some of you are reporting this does not work for you. This command is the same command that Windows runs to find your OEM Product Key when you reinstall Windows 10 or do a Windows 10 Reset or Fresh Start. So, if it does not work for you, you’re either not copying & pasting the command or you’re not typing it correctly (will the spacing exact). If you are sure you’re doing it correctly then you don’t have an OEM Product Key (BIOS) or you have something else going on.

If you want to know your Windows Product Key, there’s another way. Just download a program called “ProduKey” for Nirsoft. It’s free. All you have to do is download, unzip and run it. It does not install. It will show you the Windows 10 product key as well as the Windows product key which is embedded in your PC’s BIOS (the one that Windows uses when you reinstall Windows or do a Reset). You can copy the key(s) and save them to a text or Word document.

Download ProduKey from this link.

Nirsoft is one of the most trusted sites on the Internet, but because some of the tools they make can be used by people for bad things (like finding passwords or product keys) many browsers and/or antivirus programs will give a warning on many of their downloads. But none of their software is dangerous if used for the purpose for which it is intended.

Cloudeight InfoAve Windows Tips & Tricks
Above: ProduKey running on my Windows 10 PC. Note the Windows (BIOS OEM key) and the Windows 10 Home Product Key.

 

27 thoughts on “How to Find Your Windows 10 Product Key

  1. Roger

    Hi There. Many Thanks for that information Found it .Keep up the good work.
    Cheers Roger

    Reply
  2. Anthony Tonda

    I tried your Windows 10 Product Key tip but nothing came up. Just a blank line under the OA3xOriginalProductKey.
    Just curious.

    Reply
    1. Abby

      My Product Key came up following the above instructions
      So I saved it to my folder and also printed it.

      Reply
    2. Abel DUBOIS

      I had the same result as Anthony.
      My PC run with Windows 10 Pro
      Version : 10.0.17134

      Best regards

      Reply
      1. Janice M

        Same here–maybe because I bought a “Refurb” so has new product key!

        Reply
  3. Walter H

    Wow! never knew you could do this. Thanks for this information. I now have the Windows 10 prod key for both my computers. Keep up the good work. Walter H.

    Reply
  4. Maggie Wilson

    Great Tip. Got my product key and got it saved – even printed it. Thanks so much!

    Reply
  5. Jennifer Akridge

    Awesome information! Found mine and copied it down. Thank you TC and Darcy! Happy New Year!

    Reply
  6. David Norcott

    Followed instructions twice, copying and pasting your command into the ‘Command Prompt ‘ and both times it simply reverted back to the ‘Command Prompt’ ?!?!?

    Reply
  7. Daniel G

    Works great. Looks like some of these people are trying to run the command from a Run box and you can’t do that. It has to be run from a Command Prompt window. if you enter the command correctly the key will be shown. This command is correct. Thanks for reminding me.

    Reply
  8. Kenneth Davis

    Hi I have followed your instructions and saved the information. But, as I use One Note extensively for most of your great hints on Windows 10, I have also saved it there as well as a precaution. Many thanks again for all your help over the years. Kind regards Ken D.

    Reply
  9. Conrad Heinzel

    Win 10.0.171134.472 Did’t work ? Ran from Command Prompt and Administrator Command Prompt. Originally Win 7 machine on a Dell Studio XPS machine.

    Reply
  10. Barb

    When I enter all that comes up is the last of what I copied and pasted, then nothing

    Reply
  11. Ivan

    Hi.,
    Please tell me what to do when I have correctly filled in the line to do.
    Thank you.

    Reply
  12. Jason Miller

    I just pressed my Staples “That Was Easy” button again.
    Thank you again for a great tip. As usual, you are always there for us.

    Reply

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