Have you ever needed to reinstall Windows 10 or activate your PC after a hardware change — only to realize you don’t know where your product key is? Don’t worry; you’re not alone.
Many Windows users don’t realize their product key is stored safely inside the system — and with just a few simple commands, you can find it in seconds. In this detailed guide, we’ll show you how to find your Windows 10 product key using CMD (Command Prompt), along with alternative methods using PowerShell, explain why some keys don’t appear, and share tips to protect your license.
By the end of this article, you’ll understand everything you need to know about product keys, digital licenses, and activation in Windows 10.
🧠 What Is a Windows 10 Product Key?
A product key is a unique 25-character code (formatted like XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX) that verifies your Windows copy as genuine.
This key is used to activate Windows 10, proving that your copy isn’t pirated and unlocking full functionality like updates and personalization.
However, not all systems use a visible key anymore. Since Windows 10, many PCs rely on digital licenses — activation that’s linked to your Microsoft account or hardware ID, instead of a physical key.
💡 Why You Might Need to Find Your Product Key
You may need to retrieve your product key for several reasons:
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Reinstalling Windows 10 after a hardware upgrade.
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Transferring a retail Windows license to another computer.
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Verifying whether your system is using an OEM or retail version.
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Backing up activation information before formatting your hard drive.
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Fixing activation issues after a reinstall.
🔐 Tip: Finding and saving your product key now can save you a lot of time (and frustration) later — especially if you plan to reinstall Windows.
⚙️ Different Types of Windows 10 Product Keys
Before running any commands, it helps to know what kind of license your PC has. Not all product keys can be viewed using CMD.
| License Type | Description | Can Be Retrieved via CMD? |
|---|---|---|
| OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) | Pre-installed by your PC manufacturer and stored in BIOS/UEFI. | ✅ Usually yes |
| Retail License | Purchased directly from Microsoft or a retailer. Transferable to other PCs. | ✅ Sometimes |
| Volume License | Used by businesses or institutions for multiple activations. | ⚠️ May require admin tools |
| Digital License | Activation tied to your Microsoft account, no visible key. | ❌ No key stored |
If you have an OEM or Retail version, you can probably find your product key using CMD. If you have a digital license, it won’t show — but don’t worry, your activation is still valid.
🪟 How to Find Windows 10 Product Key Using CMD (Command Prompt)
Now, let’s get into the step-by-step instructions.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
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Click on the Start button or press the Windows key.
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Type cmd in the search bar.
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Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator.
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Approve the User Account Control (UAC) prompt if it appears.
💬 Note: You must open CMD with administrator rights. Otherwise, the system might block access to license information.
Step 2: Run the Product Key Retrieval Command
Once the Command Prompt window opens, type the following command and press Enter:
If your product key is stored in the BIOS or registry, it will appear on screen as a 25-character code.
Example output:
That’s your genuine Windows 10 product key!
If nothing shows up, your system might be using a digital license instead — we’ll explain what that means next.
🔍 What If No Product Key Appears?
If CMD doesn’t display a key, don’t panic. Here’s what could be happening:
| Reason | Explanation | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Digital License | Windows 10 is activated via Microsoft account instead of a key. | Sign in with your Microsoft account — it will auto-activate. |
| Upgraded Windows | You upgraded from Windows 7/8 and now use a digital entitlement. | No visible key exists; activation is online. |
| Volume Licensing | Your PC is part of a company or school network. | Contact your IT administrator. |
| Corrupted WMI | The Windows Management Instrumentation database is damaged. | Run sfc /scannow to repair. |
In short — no output doesn’t mean your Windows isn’t genuine. It just means it’s activated differently.
🧩 Alternative Commands to Retrieve Your Windows 10 Key
You can use alternative commands for more information about your license.
View General License Information:
This command shows your Windows version and whether it’s activated.
Get Product Key from BIOS:
While not the same as a product key, the BIOS serial number is helpful for support or warranty purposes.
💻 How to Find Windows 10 Product Key Using PowerShell
If WMIC doesn’t work (since it’s deprecated in newer versions of Windows 10), you can use PowerShell instead.
Step-by-Step:
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Press Windows + X and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin).
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Copy and paste the following command:
or
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Press Enter to execute.
If a key is stored in your system’s firmware, PowerShell will display it immediately.
🧠 Tip: PowerShell commands work even if WMIC is unavailable on your Windows build — making it a reliable modern alternative.
🔒 How to Check If Windows 10 Is Activated
You can verify whether your system is properly activated by running:
A small window will pop up showing one of the following messages:
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“The machine is permanently activated” — your Windows is genuine.
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“Windows is in Notification Mode” — activation has expired.
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Error message — activation failed or the system can’t verify it.
You can also check via Settings → Update & Security → Activation to see your license status.
⚡ Understanding Digital Licenses vs Product Keys
Many modern Windows 10 PCs (especially laptops) don’t have visible product keys because they’re activated digitally.
| Feature | Digital License | Product Key |
|---|---|---|
| Linked to Microsoft Account | ✅ | ❌ |
| Visible via CMD | ❌ | ✅ |
| Required for Reinstallation | No (auto-activates) | Yes |
| Common on OEM Devices | ✅ | ✅ |
If your device uses a digital license, Windows automatically reactivates when you reinstall using the same Microsoft account.
💬 Example: If you reinstall Windows 10 on the same PC and sign in with your old Microsoft account, activation happens automatically — no need to type a key.
🧰 Other Ways to Find Your Windows 10 Product Key
If the CMD or PowerShell method doesn’t work, here are some alternate ways:
1. Check Your Device or Packaging
If you bought a retail copy of Windows, the product key is printed on:
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The packaging (inside the box).
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A sticker on your laptop or desktop case.
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Your purchase confirmation email (for digital purchases).
2. Retrieve from Microsoft Store or Account
If you bought Windows 10 online:
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Sign in to your Microsoft account → Services & Subscriptions.
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Locate your Windows product and click View Product Key.
3. Use a Reliable Third-Party Tool
Tools like ProduKey, ShowKeyPlus, or Belarc Advisor can read keys stored in your system registry.
⚠️ Only download such tools from trusted websites to avoid malware.
🧾 Comparing Methods: CMD vs PowerShell vs Third-Party Tools
| Method | Requires Admin Rights | Works for OEM Keys | Works for Digital Licenses | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMD (WMIC) | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| PowerShell | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Third-Party Tools | ❌ | ✅ | ⚠️ Limited | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ |
🧩 Recommendation: Always try CMD or PowerShell first. They’re safe, built into Windows, and require no extra downloads.
⚠️ Common Problems and How to Fix Them
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Command returns blank | Using a digital license | Sign into Microsoft account; activation is online |
| WMIC not recognized | Deprecated in newer builds | Use PowerShell command |
| “Access Denied” error | CMD not run as administrator | Reopen with admin rights |
| Product key invalid | Wrong edition (e.g., Home vs Pro) | Match your Windows version |
| Activation fails | Hardware change | Use Activation Troubleshooter |
🧩 How to Back Up Your Windows Product Key
Once you’ve retrieved your product key, save it in a secure location:
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Store it in a password manager (e.g., Bitwarden, 1Password).
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Save it as a text file on an external USB drive.
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Print it and keep it with your PC’s documents.
Never post your key online — it can be misused to activate unauthorized systems.
🧰 Bonus Tip: Find License Type with a Command
To check what type of license you have (OEM, Retail, or Volume), run this in CMD:
A small window will appear showing your license type.
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Retail channel → transferable between PCs.
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OEM channel → tied to your device hardware.
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Volume channel → enterprise use.
🧭 How to Use Your Product Key to Reinstall Windows 10
Once you have your product key, you can reuse it during Windows setup:
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Create a Windows 10 installation USB using the Media Creation Tool.
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Boot from the USB and begin installation.
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When asked for a product key, enter the one you retrieved.
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Choose the correct edition (Home or Pro).
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Complete setup — your system will activate automatically.
If your PC uses a digital license, simply skip the key step; Windows will reactivate once you sign in.
🧩 Troubleshooting: Activation Still Fails?
Try these steps:
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Open Settings → Update & Security → Activation.
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Click Troubleshoot if Windows isn’t activated.
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If you upgraded hardware (like motherboard or CPU), select I changed hardware on this device recently.
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Sign in with your Microsoft account and follow prompts.
If activation still fails, contact Microsoft Support — they can verify your license manually.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the CMD command to find my Windows 10 product key?
Use:
Run it in CMD as Administrator.
2. What if CMD doesn’t show a product key?
That usually means your PC is activated with a digital license, not a product key. It’s perfectly normal.
3. Can I use this key on another PC?
Only Retail keys are transferable. OEM and Volume keys are tied to specific hardware.
4. Is WMIC still supported in Windows 10?
Yes, but it’s deprecated in newer versions. PowerShell’s Get-CimInstance command is the recommended alternative.
5. Is it safe to share my product key?
No. Never post or share your key publicly. It can be used to illegally activate other systems.
✅ Key Takeaways
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CMD command:
wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKeyretrieves your Windows 10 product key. -
Run Command Prompt as Administrator for best results.
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No output = digital license, which auto-activates via Microsoft account.
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PowerShell is a reliable modern alternative if WMIC doesn’t work.
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Always back up your product key securely and never share it publicly.
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You can check activation and license type using
slmgr /xprandslmgr /dli.
🎯 Conclusion
Finding your Windows 10 product key using CMD is quick, safe, and simple once you know the right command. For most OEM or retail systems, the WMIC method will instantly reveal your key.
If your system uses a digital license, don’t worry — your activation is still secure and will automatically restore when you reinstall Windows or sign in with your Microsoft account.
Whether you’re reinstalling Windows, transferring your license, or just curious about your system, these methods will give you the clarity and control you need.
💬 Pro Tip: Save your key somewhere safe today — it’s your golden ticket to a smooth Windows reinstallation tomorrow.