Editor’s note: Microsoft no longer sells Windows 10, and support ends on October 14, 2025. However, you can still purchase Windows 10 from some third-party retailers.
Finding your Windows 10 product key can feel like a treasure hunt. If you haven’t thrown away the box yet, it’s often hidden in an inaccessible sticker on your computer hardware or in the packaging of a physical copy.
But before you crawl into your closet or behind your desk to find the 25-character alphanumeric code printed in small print on the back of your PC, there’s a less arduous way to track down your Windows 10 product key.
This tutorial shows you how to find your Windows 10 product key using the operating system’s features. We’ve also posted tips on how to find your product key in Windows 11.
How to find your Windows 10 product key
The success of these methods largely depends on how your PC was activated. If you’re upgrading from a valid installation of Windows 7 or 8, or if you recently purchased your computer and activated Windows 10, you can find your product key using most methods. However, if your PC is activated as part of your organization’s licensing agreement, finding your product key may be more difficult.
1. Command Prompt
The most direct way to find your Windows 10 product key is through the command line.
- category
cmdEnter the Windows 10 desktop search box. - Then right-click the command line result.
- Select Run as administrator from the context menu.
- Enter the following command at the prompt:
wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
As shown in the image below, this command will display your current Windows 10 product key.
2. Powershell
If you’re using Windows 10 PowerShell, the process is similar.
- Right-click the Start Menu button.
- From the context menu, select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
- To display your product key, enter this command at the prompt:
powershell "(Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey"
3. Registry files
The product key is stored in the Windows 10 registry file, so if you know the correct key, you can find the code there. To do so:
- category
regeditEnter Windows 10 Desktop Search and select the appropriate item from the results. - Go to the next key.
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform
As you can see below, the BackupProductKeyDefault key displays a valid Windows 10 product key.
memo: In my case, the Windows 10 product key displayed by Command Prompt and PowerShell methods is the same. In the registry example, the product key is different. The best explanation I can offer is that since I upgraded from Home to Pro on my example PC, the product key shown is for upgrading to Pro and vice versa. If you have a better solution, please let me know.
See also: Windows 10 and 11 in S Mode: What is it and should you use it?
Alternative ways to find your Windows 10 product key
Third-party vendors also provide applications that can find and display your Windows 10 product key. These applications essentially do the same thing as we did here, but introduce programming challenges and potential security issues for others.
Additionally, if you purchased Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store, you can find your product key information in your account order history.
Is my Windows 10 product key tied to my hardware?
If you purchased a device with an OEM key, such as a Dell or Lenovo laptop, your Windows 10 product key may be tied to your hardware. However, if you purchased a digital copy of Windows, you can transfer your license to another computer.
What should I do if I lost my product key after purchasing Windows 10?
According to Microsoft, if none of the methods listed here work, you can contact your device manufacturer to find your 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. Windows 10 licenses are designed to be used on only one computer at a time.
