How To retrieve a Windows 11 product key: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / October 3, 2025

Why retrieve a Windows 11 product key?

Do you need to reinstall Windows 11, move it to another PC, or just keep a backup of your license? The Windows product key is a 25-character code that proves you own a legitimate copy. Sometimes it’s stored in the system firmware, sometimes it’s a digital license attached to your Microsoft account. Knowing how to retrieve it — quickly and safely — can save you headaches later.

In this guide we’ll cover what a product key is, how it differs from a digital license, and multiple step-by-step methods to retrieve your Windows 11 product key from an active system, from firmware (BIOS/UEFI), from a non-booting PC, and using third-party tools.

Summary (Key Takeaways)

  • You can retrieve your Windows 11 product key using built-in methods (Command Prompt, PowerShell, Registry), BIOS/UEFI queries, or trusted third-party utilities (ProduKey, ShowKeyPlus).

  • If Windows 11 was activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account, you don’t always need the product key — sign in to reactivate.

  • Always back up your product key and never share it publicly.

  • This guide gives multiple safe methods, troubleshooting steps, and best practices so you can recover keys from installed systems, dead machines, or before reinstalling Windows.

What is a Windows product key vs a digital license?

Short answer:

  • Product key: A 25-character alphanumeric code (XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX) used to activate Windows.

  • Digital license (digital entitlement): Activation tied to your Microsoft account or the PC’s hardware (commonly used since Windows 10). No key is required for automatic reactivation on the same hardware.

Why it matters:

  • If your copy is activated via a digital license, you may not find a product key in the registry — sign into your Microsoft account after reinstall and Windows should reactivate.

  • If your Windows was activated with a retail product key (purchased separately), you’ll need that key to reactivate on another machine.

Before you start: safety checklist

  1. Back up important data before making system changes.

  2. Do not share the product key publicly — treat it like a password.

  3. Prefer built-in methods first; use third-party utilities only from trusted sources.

  4. If you’re recovering from a broken machine, remove the SSD/HDD and attach it to another PC or boot from a live USB to extract the key.

  5. Keep a copy of the key in a secure password manager or encrypted note.

Method 1 — Retrieve key using PowerShell (easy & safe)

PowerShell is built into Windows and is safe to use.

Steps:

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

  2. Enter the command (copy and paste):

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

  3. Press Enter.

  4. If the key is stored in the firmware, PowerShell will display it. If nothing returns, your key may not be present or Windows is using a digital license.

Method 2 — Use Command Prompt (WMIC)

WMIC is a classic, reliable command.

Steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (Search “cmd”, right-click → Run as administrator).

  2. Type:

    wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

  3. Press Enter.

  4. The OEM key embedded in BIOS/UEFI (if present) will display.

Note: Modern Windows may not store retail keys in firmware — they may be digital licenses.

Method 3 — Check Windows Activation & Microsoft account (digital license)

If your PC was upgraded to Windows 11 from an eligible Windows 10 or came with Windows 11 preinstalled, activation may be tied to your Microsoft account.

Steps:

  1. Open Settings → System → Activation.

  2. Under Activation state, you’ll see messages like “Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.”

  3. If linked, sign into the same Microsoft account after reinstall and Windows should reactivate automatically.

Method 4 — Query UEFI/BIOS directly (when key is embedded)

Many OEMs embed keys in the firmware.

Steps (on working PC):

  1. Use the PowerShell or WMIC steps above; they read the firmware value.

  2. Alternatively, use:

    powershell "(Get-CimInstance -ClassName SoftwareLicensingProduct | where { $_.PartialProductKey } | select Name, ApplicationId, PartialProductKey) | Format-List"

  3. This lists partial keys and activation info — helpful to confirm license type.

Method 5 — Retrieve key from registry (not always readable)

There’s a registry path that may contain license info, but it’s usually encrypted/obscured. Use this only to check activation details, not to find a clear product key.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + R → type regedit → Enter.

  2. Navigate to:

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

  3. Look for BackupProductKeyDefault — sometimes contains a key, but often empty on modern Windows installations.

Warning: Do not modify registry values unless you know what you’re doing.

Method 6 — Use a trusted third-party key finder (GUI)

If built-in methods fail, a reputable utility can help. Two commonly used tools are ShowKeyPlus and ProduKey (NirSoft).

ShowKeyPlus (recommended)

  1. Download ShowKeyPlus from the Microsoft Store or its GitHub release page.

  2. Run the app (no installation required in the portable version).

  3. It displays the Installed Key, OEM Key (if embedded), and Original Key.

  4. Save the key to a text file or copy it into your secure notes.

ProduKey (NirSoft)

  1. Visit NirSoft’s ProduKey page and download from the official site.

  2. Run ProduKey — it lists keys for Windows and Microsoft Office.

  3. Export and store the key securely.

Security tip: Only download these tools from official sources. Antivirus may flag some key-finder tools as suspicious by design — verify the source before running.

Method 7 — Extract key from a dead PC’s disk (offline)

If the original PC won’t boot, you can mount its drive on another computer and attempt extraction.

Steps:

  1. Remove the SSD/HDD from the broken machine.

  2. Connect it to a working Windows PC via SATA or USB adapter.

  3. Use ShowKeyPlus’s “Load from external disk” feature or run a registry hive extraction:

    • Open regedit → select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE → File → Load Hive.

    • Browse to the external drive’s Windows\System32\config folder and load the SOFTWARE hive with a temporary name.

    • Search for BackupProductKeyDefault or SoftwareProtectionPlatform keys.

    • Unload the hive when done.

This is advanced: be careful not to modify the mounted drive’s system files.

Method 8 — Find keys from purchase sources

Where you bought Windows matters:

  • Microsoft Store / Digital purchase: Sign in to the same Microsoft account → order history shows product info. Retail keys may be stored in your account portal.

  • Online retailer (e.g., Amazon): Check your order confirmation email or account purchase history.

  • Physical box: Product key printed on a card inside the packaging or on a sticker.

  • OEM preinstalled PC: The manufacturer may include a COA sticker (older systems) or keys embedded in firmware (use WMIC/PowerShell).

What if you can’t find a key?

  • If your system is activated with a digital license tied to Microsoft account, reinstall and sign in — Windows should reactivate automatically.

  • If you lost a retail key, contact the vendor or Microsoft Support with purchase proof.

  • If the machine is OEM and the key isn’t embedded, contact the PC manufacturer for assistance.

Table: Quick method comparison

Method Works On Difficulty Best When
PowerShell (OA3x query) Firmware-embedded keys Easy OEM systems or preinstalled Windows
WMIC Firmware keys Easy Quick firmware lookup
Settings → Activation Digital license systems Very Easy Confirm digital license linked to MS account
Registry Some older installs Medium Check activation metadata
ShowKeyPlus / ProduKey Installed systems Easy Visual, loads external disk, user-friendly
Mount external disk / hive load Dead PC disk Advanced Recover key from non-booting machine
Purchase history / retailer Retail purchases Easy Retrieve key from vendor or account

Troubleshooting: common problems & fixes

  • Command returns blank: Key may not be embedded (digital license). Check Settings → Activation.

  • Third-party tool flagged by antivirus: Verify download source and certificate; use ShowKeyPlus from Microsoft Store if worried.

  • Recovered key doesn’t activate: Make sure it’s the correct edition (Home vs Pro). A Home key won’t activate Pro.

  • Key shows as partial or masked: Use tools that show the full key or check Microsoft account for digital license.

Best practices for storing your product key

  • Save the key in a password manager (1Password, Bitwarden).

  • Create an encrypted file (VeraCrypt/BitLocker) with license info.

  • Keep physical backups: screenshot saved to an external encrypted drive and a printed copy stored securely.

  • Never email the key in plain text.

Step-by-step checklist before reinstalling Windows

  1. Confirm activation type: Settings → System → Activation.

  2. Try PowerShell/WMIC to extract firmware key.

  3. If not found, run ShowKeyPlus or ProduKey.

  4. If machine won’t boot, remove disk and use “Load hive” method.

  5. Back up the key securely.

  6. Reinstall Windows 11 and sign into your Microsoft account for automatic reactivation (if applicable).

Conclusion

Retrieving a Windows 11 product key can be straightforward if you know where to look. Built-in tools like PowerShell and WMIC are safe and fast for firmware-embedded keys. If Windows is activated with a digital license, your Microsoft account often removes the need for a key during reinstallation. For stubborn cases, ShowKeyPlus or ProduKey provide an easy GUI route, and disk mounting/hive loading helps with dead machines.

Remember: treat your product key like sensitive data — back it up and keep it private.

FAQs (Short, precise answers)

1. Can I retrieve the Windows 11 key if my PC won’t boot?
Yes — remove the drive, connect it to another PC, and use ShowKeyPlus’s “load from external disk” or load the SOFTWARE registry hive to read stored keys.

2. Does a digital license mean I don’t need a product key?
Correct. A digital license tied to your Microsoft account lets Windows reactivate without entering a key on the same hardware.

3. Is it safe to use ProduKey or ShowKeyPlus?
Yes, when downloaded from their official sites or Microsoft Store. Verify checksums and read community feedback.

4. Where is the product key stored in modern PCs?
Often in the UEFI/BIOS firmware (OA3), or not at all if activated via a digital license.

5. What if my product key fails to activate after reinstalling?
Ensure you installed the same Windows edition (Home vs Pro). If edition is correct and activation still fails, sign into the linked Microsoft account or contact Microsoft Support with proof of purchase.

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