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For about users, particularly with Microsoft Windows 10, the last operating system you will ever need, in that location has been no need for product keys because there has been no "new" version of Windows. When this article was beginning published in Baronial 2021, Windows 11 was a pending release – at present that it'south available, we take tips on how to discover your product fundamental in Windows eleven. However, some users may still demand to know their Windows ten product primal.

SEE: Checklist: Securing Windows 10 systems (TechRepublic Premium)

Your Windows 10 product key should exist listed on a sticker located on your computer hardware somewhere—typically in the most inaccessible spot possible. Simply earlier you get crawling backside your desk looking for a 25-digit alphanumeric code printed in fine print on the behind of your PC, in that location are less strenuous ways to runway down your Windows 10 product key.

This how-to tutorial shows yous how to find your Windows ten production fundamental using the power of the operating system itself.

How to discover your Windows ten product key

Before we brainstorm, notation that the success of any of these methods is largely dependent on how your PC was activated. If y'all activated Windows 10 by upgrading from a valid Windows seven or viii installation or with the computer's recent purchase, you are likely to discover the product key with well-nigh of these methods. However, if your PC was activated every bit part of an system's licensing agreement, finding a product key may be more than problematic.

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1. Command prompt

The most direct method for finding your Windows 10 production primal is from the command line. Blazon "cmd" into the Windows x desktop search box and then correct-click the command line issue and select "run equally administrator" from the context menu. Type this command at the prompt:

wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

As yous can see in Figure A, the command will display your current Windows ten production key.

Figure A

ii. PowerShell

If y'all are using Windows ten PowerShell, the process is similar. Correct-click the Start Carte push and and then select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the context menu. Type this command at the prompt to reveal the production key equally shown in Figure B.

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

Figure B

3. Registry File

As you might imagine, the product fundamental is stored in the Windows 10 Registry File, so information technology is possible to discover the code there if y'all know the right primal. Type "regedit" into the Windows 10 desktop search and select the appropriate item in the results. Navigate to this key:

ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionSoftwareProtectionPlatform

As you tin come across in Figure C, the BackupProductKeyDefault key will reveal a valid Windows ten product fundamental.

Figure C

Note: In my case, the Windows 10 product central displayed by both the command prompt and PowerShell methods are the same. In the registry example, all the same, the production keys is dissimilar. The best explanation I tin propose is that because I upgraded from Habitation to Pro on the example PC, the production fundamental displayed is for the upgrade to Pro (or vice versa). If you accept a ameliorate solution, please let us know in the word.

At that place are 3rd-party vendors offering applications that can locate and brandish your Windows 10 product key besides, simply they substantially do the aforementioned affair nosotros did here without involving someone else'due south programming and potential security issues. As well, keep in mind that if you bought Windows x from the Microsoft Shop, your account lodge history would have product key information available.