How to Get Your Windows 11 Product Key: A Step-by-Step Guide

Need to find your Windows 11 product key for activation, reinstallation, or transferring your license? You’re in the right place.

Your Windows product key is a 25-character code used to activate your copy of Windows, proving that it’s genuine. It looks something like this:

In this detailed guide, we’ll explain what a product key is, why you need it, and how to find it using different methods — from Command Prompt and PowerShell to the Registry Editor and Microsoft Account.

Let’s get started!

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🧭 Quick Summary

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What Is a Windows 11 Product Key?

A Windows product key is a unique alphanumeric code used to activate Windows. It verifies that your copy is genuine and prevents piracy.

Product Key Format:

Types of Product Keys:

💡 Tip: If you signed in to your PC with a Microsoft account, you might have a digital license instead of a product key.

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Why You Need Your Windows 11 Product Key

You may need your product key for:

• 🔑 Reinstalling or upgrading Windows

• 💻 Transferring your license to another device

• 🧾 Verifying activation status

• 🧰 Troubleshooting activation errors

Even though Windows 11 often auto-activates via your Microsoft account, keeping a copy of your key is always a smart move.

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Method 1: Find Windows 11 Product Key Using Command Prompt

This is the fastest and easiest way to get your product key — especially for OEM or preinstalled copies.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + S and type cmd.

2. Right-click Command Prompt → select Run as administrator.

3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:

   wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey


4. Your product key will appear on the screen.

✅ Result: Copy and save your key somewhere safe (like Notepad or a password manager).

⚙️ Note: If nothing appears, your system may be using a digital license instead of a traditional key.

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Method 2: Find Windows 11 Product Key Using PowerShell

PowerShell is another quick way to extract your product key.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + X → select Windows Terminal (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).

2. Type the following command and hit Enter:

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


3. PowerShell will display your product key if it’s available.

✅ Result: Your product key is shown in plain text — copy and save it securely.

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Method 3: Find Windows 11 Product Key from Registry Editor

You can locate the product key in the Windows Registry, although it’s encrypted for security.

Steps:

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter.

2. Navigate to this path:

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


3. Look for the BackupProductKeyDefault entry on the right pane.

4. The BackupProductKeyDefault value shows your product key.

✅ Result: You can now note down your product key from this registry location.

⚠️ Warning: Be careful while editing or navigating the Registry — accidental changes can affect system stability.

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Method 4: Retrieve Windows 11 Product Key from Microsoft Account

If you purchased Windows 11 digitally from the Microsoft Store, your key is linked to your Microsoft account.

Steps:

1. Visit the Microsoft Account website.

2. Sign in with the account you used to purchase or activate Windows.

3. Go to Services & Subscriptions.

4. Find your Windows 11 license.

5. Your digital license or product key will appear there.

✅ Result: No need to re-enter the key — it activates automatically when you log in with this account.

💡 Tip: This is ideal for users with digital entitlement, where Windows activates without entering a key manually.

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Method 5: Check Your Product Key on a Preinstalled (OEM) Computer

If your device came with Windows 11 preinstalled, the key is embedded in your system’s BIOS or UEFI.

To confirm:

1. Use the Command Prompt method (wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey).

2. Alternatively, use third-party tools like ShowKeyPlus to read the key from BIOS safely.

✅ Result: Your OEM key will be extracted directly from firmware — no need to contact your manufacturer.

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Method 6: Find Your Product Key on the Physical Label or Packaging

If you bought a boxed copy of Windows 11 or a retail license, you can find the key here:

• 💽 On a card or insert inside the Windows packaging.

• 🖨️ On a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker — usually found on the back or bottom of your laptop/PC.

✅ Keep this code safe; once lost, it’s difficult to retrieve.

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Method 7: Retrieve Windows Product Key Using Third-Party Tools

If the built-in methods don’t work, you can use reliable third-party tools like:

⚠️ Important: Always download third-party tools from official or trusted sources to avoid malware.

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Method 8: Check Product Key via Purchase Email or Invoice

If you bought Windows 11 online (from Microsoft or an authorized reseller):

1. Open your purchase confirmation email.

2. Search for “Product Key” or “Activation Code.”

3. Copy the 25-character key.

✅ If purchased through Microsoft, your receipt email will include both the key and license details.

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How to Check if Windows 11 Is Activated

Before searching for your product key, it’s good to check if your system is already activated.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → System → Activation.

2. Under Activation state, you’ll see one of the following:

✅ If your PC says “Active,” you don’t need to worry — Windows is already activated.

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How to Link Your Product Key to a Microsoft Account

Linking your key ensures you can reactivate Windows after reinstalling.

Steps:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Your info.

2. Sign in with your Microsoft account (if not already).

3. Once linked, Windows will automatically connect your activation to your account.

✅ This makes future reinstallations and hardware upgrades much easier.

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Troubleshooting: Product Key Not Found or Invalid

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Bonus Tip: Export Product Key for Backup

You can export your key for safekeeping using PowerShell:

✅ This will save your product key in a text file on your C: drive.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use my old Windows 10 key to activate Windows 11?

Yes. If your Windows 10 license is valid and genuine, you can use the same key to activate Windows 11.

2. What if my PC says “Windows is activated with a digital license”?

That means your activation is tied to your Microsoft account — you don’t need a physical key.

3. Can I transfer my Windows 11 key to another computer?

Yes, if it’s a retail license. OEM keys (preinstalled) are not transferable.

4. What happens if I lose my product key?

If you linked your Windows to a Microsoft account, you can reactivate it without needing the key.

5. Is it safe to use third-party tools to find my product key?

Yes — but only download from trusted sources like NirSoft or GitHub to avoid malware.

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Conclusion: Finding Your Windows 11 Product Key Made Easy

Finding your Windows 11 product key doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether it’s stored in your BIOS, linked to your Microsoft account, or printed on your PC, there’s always a way to retrieve it.

Here’s what you learned today:

• 🔍 How to find your key using CMD, PowerShell, or Registry

• 🔑 How to retrieve it from your Microsoft account or packaging

• 🧰 How to fix common activation and key issues

With your product key secured, you can reinstall, transfer, or activate Windows 11 confidently.

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Key Takeaways

• Use Command Prompt or PowerShell for quick key retrieval.

• OEM keys are stored in BIOS and auto-detected.

• Digital licenses are tied to your Microsoft account.

• Keep your product key backed up for future use.

• For invalid key errors, contact Microsoft Support.