Hey there! Just a quick update: Microsoft has stopped selling Windows 10, and support for it will wrap up on October 14, 2025. But don’t worry—you can still snag a copy from some third-party retailers.
Looking for your Windows 10 product key? It can feel like searching for buried treasure. Often, it’s hidden on a sticker somewhere on your PC or tucked away in the box of a physical copy—if you haven’t already tossed the packaging. Instead of crawling around looking for that tricky 25-digit code, let’s go through some easier ways to find it using your operating system.
How to Find Your Windows 10 Product Key
How successful you are with these methods depends on how you activated your Windows 10. If you upgraded from a legit Windows 7 or 8, or if you recently bought your computer, these tips should work. But if your PC was activated under an organization’s license, it might be a tougher hunt.
1. Using Command Prompt
This is a straightforward way to grab your product key.
- Type
cmdin the Windows 10 search bar. - Right-click on the Command Prompt result.
- Select “Run as administrator.”
- Enter this command:
wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKeyYou’ll see your Windows 10 product key pop up.
2. Using PowerShell
If you prefer PowerShell, here’s how:
- Right-click the Start Menu button.
- Click on “Windows PowerShell (Admin).”
- Type in this command and hit Enter:
powershell "(Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey"Your product key will show up there too.
3. Checking the Registry File
Your product key is also stored in the Windows Registry. Here’s how to find it:
- Search for
regeditin the Windows 10 search bar and open it. - Navigate to this path:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatformLook for the BackupProductKeyDefault key, which will reveal your product key.
Just a heads-up: I noticed that the product key I found using both Command Prompt and PowerShell was the same, but the key in the registry was different. This might happen if you upgraded from Home to Pro or the other way around.
Other Ways to Locate Your Product Key
You can also find your Windows 10 product key using third-party apps. They do the same job, but you might run into some security risks with those. If you bought your copy through the Microsoft Store, check your account order history for the key.
Is the Windows 10 Product Key Tied to My Hardware?
If you got your device with an OEM key—think Dell or Lenovo—the product key might be tied to that hardware. But if you grabbed a digital copy, you can transfer the license to another machine.
What If I Lose My Product Key?
If none of these methods work, Microsoft suggests reaching out to your device’s manufacturer for help. But this might only happen if your device is still under warranty. If you’re out of luck, you may need to buy a new retail license.
Can I Transfer My Windows 10 License?
Absolutely! Keep in mind, though, that each Windows 10 license is meant for one computer at a time.
