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Nov 24, 2019 · During installation, you'll be prompted to enter a product key. Or, after installation, to enter the product key, select the Start button, and then select Update & Security > Activation > Update product key > Change product key.
- Overview
- Locate your product key for Windows 10 or Windows 11
- A new PC running Windows
- A copy of Windows 10 or Windows 11 from an authorized retailer
- A digital copy of Windows 10 or Windows 11 from an authorized retailer
- A digital copy from a Microsoft website
- Free upgrade to Windows 10
- Microsoft Store App
- Volume Licensing agreement or MSDN subscription
- Windows authenticity
A Windows product key is a 25-character code used to activate Windows. It looks like this:
•PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10 or Windows 11, you'll need either a 25-character product key or a digital license to activate it. A digital license (called a digital entitlement in Windows 10, Version 1511) is a method of activation in Windows 10 and Windows 11 that doesn't require you to enter a product key. Without one of these, you won't be able to activate your device.
Where to find your product key depends on how you got your copy of Windows.
The product key is preinstalled on your PC, included with the packaging the PC came in, or included on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to the PC. For more info, contact your hardware manufacturer, and for pictures of authentic product keys and COA labels, see How to tell your hardware is genuine.
The product key is on a label or card inside the box that Windows came in. For more info, contact the retailer that sold you Windows 10 or Windows 11. How to tell your software is genuine.
Find your product key in the confirmation email you received after buying Windows 10 or Windows 11 in a digital locker accessible through the retailer’s website.
The product key is in the confirmation email you received after buying your digital copy of Windows. Microsoft only keeps a record of product keys if you purchased from the Microsoft online store. You can find out if you purchased from Microsoft in your Microsoft account Order history.
If you upgraded to Windows 10 for free from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you should have a digital license instead of a product key.
If you bought Windows 10 or Windows 11 Pro upgrade in the Microsoft Store app, you'll receive a digital license instead of a product key in the confirmation email that was sent to confirm the purchase. That email address (MSA) will contain the digital license. You can use the digital license for activation.
For more information about digital licenses and product keys in Windows 10 and Windows 11, see the “Methods of Activation” section in Activate Windows.
Locate your product key for Windows 7 or Windows 8.1
A product key is usually required when uninstalling or reinstalling Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. Generally, if you bought a physical copy of Windows, the product key should be on a label or card inside the box that Windows came in. If Windows came preinstalled on your PC, the product key should appear on a sticker on your device. If you’ve lost or can’t find the product key, contact the manufacturer. To ensure your product key is genuine, see How to tell your software is genuine and How to tell your hardware is genuine.
For info about how to tell if your copy of Windows is genuine Microsoft software, see the How to tell page.
Aug 20, 2023 · Quickly find your Windows 10 product key by opening Command Prompt with administrative privileges and enter: "wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey". If the command-line method doesn't work for you, use software like NirSoft's ProduKey or ShowKeyPlus to find your product key.
Jun 26, 2022 · This post shows how to find Windows 11/10 Product Key using Command Prompt or PowerShell, from BIOS, UEFI or Registry. It works for Retail, OEM, etc, licenses.
Mar 27, 2024 · Things You Should Know. You can find your Windows product key using the Command Prompt, Powershell, or the Windows Registry. If you bought a digital version of Windows or an upgrade online or from the Microsoft Store, you should receive your product key in a confirmation email.
May 20, 2020 · Most installs will show one of these same generic Product Keys if you use a utility, such as Nirsoft's ProduKey, to reveal the current Product Key for your Windows 10. The keys listed in product.ini will not activate Windows unless the specific device already has a digital license for Windows 10.
People also ask
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Learn how to activate Windows using a product key or digital license, check your activation status, and link your Microsoft account.
