Windows 10: How to Find Your Windows 10 Product Key Using the Command Prompt?

Finding your Windows 10 product key can be a challenge at times. Not everyone notes it down and keeps them handy. When it comes to finding it within the system, you need to know where to look. We're here to help you find your product key using simple tricks.

Using the Command Prompt


When looking for your Windows 10 product key using the command prompt, you will need to run it as an admin. To do this, you need to search 'cmd' in your search bar. When you find the command prompt, right-click on it and select 'run as administrator.' In some cases, you may be asked for your Windows password. Once the command prompt is open, paste the below code in the dialog box and press enter.

wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

You will then see a 25-digit product key on your screen. This is the product key stored in your UEFI firmware or computer BIOS. This means this is the original product key for your computer. If you've used a different key to reinstall Windows, you may need other tools to find that key.

Using the Windows Registry Method


To find your product key using the registry, open notepad. Copy and paste the below code into the notepad.

Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")

MsgBox ConvertToKey(WshShell.RegRead("HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId"))

Function ConvertToKey(Key)

Const KeyOffset = 52

i = 28

Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"

Do

Cur = 0

x = 14

Do

Cur = Cur * 256

Cur = Key(x + KeyOffset) + Cur

Key(x + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24) And 255

Cur = Cur Mod 24

x = x -1

Loop While x >= 0

i = i -1

KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput

If (((29 - i) Mod 6) = 0) And (i <> -1) Then

i = i -1

KeyOutput = "-" & KeyOutput

End If

Loop While i >= 0

ConvertToKey = KeyOutput

End Function

Click on the file menu at the top left and then click on 'save as.' In the explorer dialog box that opens, select 'all files' as the file type. You can give any name to the notepad; however, the extension should be .vbs. For example, you can save it as windowsproductkey.vbs.

Once you save the file, close it and open it again. Your product key will be displayed each time you open the file.



Never Lose Your Product Key Anymore


Now that you know how to retrieve your product key, you can reinstall Windows at any time without worrying about purchasing a new license. We hope these methods helped you. Keep reading this space for more such tips and tricks.

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Convert a Windows 8pro product key to a Windows 10pro produkt key

Hi Andre,

Thank you for contacting Microsoft community.

I suggest you to Uninstall the license using the following steps.

• Press Windows key + X
• Click Command Prompt (Admin)
• At the command prompt, type: slmgr.vbs -upk
• Press Enter, this will uninstall the product key from the computer.

Further on, install Windows 8.1 activate the copy with the product key on the new machine. Then again upgrade the same to Windows 10 using Window Update or Media Creation Tool.

Hope this information was helpful and do let us know if you need further assistance. We will be glad to assist.

 

command prompt will not open in safe mode with command prompt

Would I just follow the same steps within safe mode after hooking up to the other system?

 

Windows 10 Product Key

Hi Oscar,

Since the laptop has no battery compartment wherein the product key is usually located, we recommend that you follow these steps to find your Windows product key:

• Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).
• Enter this command: wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
  and hit Enter.

Also, if you're looking to reinstall Windows 10 after a hardware replacement, we recommend that you follow the steps provided in this

article.

Let us know if performing these steps resolved the issue.