Windows 10: Finding Original Product Key

Is there anyway to find the first product key you used in your computer? If yes, please tell me how

:)

 

Find original win 8 product keys used?


That key should still be usable to install 8.1. Technically, since you used it to install Windows 10, if you use it to install Windows 8.1, you should stop using the version of Windows 10 you activated with it. As far as I know though, its not enforced in any manner.
I upgraded my laptop from 8.1 Pro (MSDN Retail key) to windows 10 Pro. Then months latter, reinstalled 8.1 Pro with the original key on that laptop. It activated with no issues. I then clean installed 10 Pro on that same laptop with a skip key and it activated with no issues. The 8.1 key was not blacklisted etc. I don't "think" its tied to the Windows 10 activation in any way. No way of proving it though.
I keep a detailed list of what product keys I've used on what PC. Windows and office etc. Saves me from any guess work latter on. *Wink
Then if I have to reinstall a previous OS I can use the original key and not worry about activation issues.

 

Activate windows 10 after re-installing (I have lost my product key)

I own a Lenovo T430 laptop. In 2017, I installed Windows 10 using my original Windows 7 product key. Unfortunately, I cannot find that product key anymore. I need to re-install windows 10. Will it be automatically activated after the installation, if I skip the step of asking the product key during the installation?

In my opinion, I believe that my laptop will have a digital entitlement stored on the Microsoft Activation Servers and this will not be a problem. Is that true?

If not, please suggest me a solution or a workaround.

 

How to find product key?

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



If you are looking for Windows Operating system product key then please refer the article

Find your Windows product key and see if that helps.



You can also try extracting the Windows product key using the WMIC command on command prompt. Kindly follow the steps mentioned below.

1. Press Windows +
   S key together to open Search.
   
2. Now type CMD and select Run as administrator.
   
3. Accept the UAC prompts.
   
4. Type in the following command and hit enter:
   wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey
   

If you are looking for Office product key then you can refer the article

Find your Office product key



Regards,

Prakhar Khare

Microsoft Community – Moderator