How to find Windows 10 product key in three ways

Editor’s note: Microsoft is no longer selling 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. It’s often found on a hard-to-reach sticker on your computer hardware or hidden in the packaging of a physical copy – assuming you haven’t already thrown away the box.

But before you crawl into a closet or behind your desk and look for a 25-digit alphanumeric code in the small print on the back of your PC, there are less strenuous ways to track down your Windows 10 product key.

This tutorial will show you how to find your Windows 10 product key using the power of the operating system. We’ve also published tips on how to find your product key in Windows 11.

How to find your Windows 10 product key

The success of any of these methods largely depends on how your PC was activated. If you activated Windows 10 by upgrading from a valid Windows 7 or 8 installation or when you recently purchased the computer, you will likely find the product key using most of these methods. However, if your PC was activated under an organization’s license agreement, finding a product key may be more problematic.

1. Command Prompt

The most direct method to find your Windows 10 product key is the command line.

1. type cmd into the Windows 10 desktop search box.
2. Then right-click on the command line result.
3. Select “Run as administrator” from the context menu.
4. Enter this command at the command prompt:

wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

As shown in the image below, the command displays your current Windows 10 product key.

2. PowerShell

If you use Windows 10 PowerShell, the process is similar:

1. Right-click the Start Menu button.
2. Select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the context menu.
3. Enter this command at the command prompt to display the product key.

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

3. Registration file

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 this, proceed as follows:

1. type regedit in Windows 10 desktop search and select the corresponding item in the results.
2. Navigate to this key:

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

As you can see below, the BackupProductKeyDefault key indicates a valid Windows 10 product key.

Note: In my case, the Windows 10 product key displayed by Command Prompt and PowerShell methods is the same; In the registration example, the product key is different. The best explanation I can suggest is that because I upgraded from Home to Pro on the example PC, the product key shown is for upgrading to Pro or vice versa. If you have a better solution, please let us know.

SEE: Windows 10 and 11 in S Mode: What is it and should you use it?

Other ways to find your Windows 10 product key

Third-party providers offer applications that can also find and display your Windows 10 product key. These applications essentially do the same thing we do here, but involve someone else’s programming and potential security issues.

Additionally, if you purchased Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store, the product key information is available in your account’s order history.

Is the Windows 10 product key tied to my hardware?

If you purchased a device with an OEM key, such as a Dell or Lenovo laptop, the Windows 10 product key may be tied to your hardware. However, if you purchased a digital copy of Windows, you can transfer the license to another computer.

What should I do if I lose my product key after purchasing Windows 10?

If none of the methods listed here work, Microsoft says you may be able to contact your device manufacturer to get the product key. However, this is probably only 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. However, keep in mind that Windows 10 licenses are intended for use on one computer at a time.