How to Find Windows 10 Product Key Easily and Quickly

If you need to reinstall Windows 10 on your PC, you might need to enter your product key to activate it. A product key is a 25-digit code that verifies that you have a genuine copy of Windows 10.

Problem

However, finding your product key can be tricky, especially if you bought your PC from a manufacturer or upgraded from a previous version of Windows. In this article, we’ll show you three simple ways to find your Windows 10 product key easily and quickly.

What is a Windows 10 Product Key and Why Do You Need It?

A Windows 10 product key is a unique code that consists of five groups of five characters, such as XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. It is used to activate your copy of Windows 10 and verify that it is not a counterfeit or pirated version. You need a product key to install or reinstall Windows 10 on your PC, or to transfer your license to another device.

However, not all Windows 10 users need a product key. If you bought a new PC with Windows 10 preinstalled, or upgraded from Windows 7 or 8.1 for free, you might not have a product key. Instead, your PC has a digital license that is linked to your Microsoft account or your device’s hardware. A digital license allows you to activate Windows 10 without entering a product key.

You can check if you have a digital license by going to Settings > Update & Security > Activation. If you see “Windows is activated with a digital license” or “Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account”, you don’t need a product key. However, if you see “Windows is not activated” or “Enter a product key”, you need to find your product key and enter it to activate Windows 10.

Solution 1: Find Windows 10 Product Key Using Command Prompt

One of the easiest ways to find your Windows 10 product key is to use the Command Prompt. The Command Prompt is a built-in tool that allows you to execute commands and perform various tasks on your PC. To find your Windows 10 product key using the Command Prompt, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu. This will open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

3. The Command Prompt will display your Windows 10 product key. You can copy it and save it somewhere safe, or enter it to activate Windows 10.

Solution 2: Find Windows 10 Product Key Using PowerShell

Another way to find your Windows 10 product key is to use PowerShell. PowerShell is a more advanced tool that allows you to perform complex tasks and automate scripts on your PC. To find your Windows 10 product key using PowerShell, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + X on your keyboard and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the menu. This will open PowerShell as an administrator.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

   (Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey

3. PowerShell will display your Windows 10 product key. You can copy it and save it somewhere safe, or enter it to activate Windows 10.

Solution 3: Find Windows 10 Product Key in the Registry

You can find your Windows 10 product key in the registry file. Follow these steps:

1. Search for regedit on the Windows 10 desktop and click the matching result.
2. Go to this key:

   Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform

The BackupProductKeyDefault key shows your Windows 10 product key.

Note: The product key may differ from the ones shown by the command prompt and PowerShell methods. This could be because of an upgrade from Home to Pro or vice versa. If you know a better explanation, please share it in the comments.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: How do I activate Windows 10 with my product key?

Answer: To activate Windows 10 with your product key, go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation and click on Change product key. Enter your product key and click on Next. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the activation process.

Question: How do I transfer my Windows 10 license to another device?

Answer: To transfer your Windows 10 license to another device, you need to deactivate Windows 10 on your old device and activate it on your new device. To deactivate Windows 10 on your old device, go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation and click on Troubleshoot. Select the option that says “I changed hardware on this device recently” and follow the instructions on the screen. To activate Windows 10 on your new device, follow the steps above to enter your product key or sign in with your Microsoft account.

Question: How do I find my Windows 10 product key if I lost it or deleted it?

Answer: If you lost or deleted your Windows 10 product key, you can try to recover it using one of the methods above. However, if none of them work, you might need to contact Microsoft support or buy a new product key.

Summary

In this article, we showed you how to find your Windows 10 product key easily and quickly. You can use the Command Prompt, PowerShell, or a third-party software to find your product key. You need your product key to install or reinstall Windows 10 on your PC, or to transfer your license to another device. However, if you have a digital license, you don’t need a product key. You can activate Windows 10 with your Microsoft account or your device’s hardware.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. We are not responsible for any damages or losses that may result from using the information in this article. You should always consult a qualified professional before making any decisions regarding your Windows 10 product key or license.