How To Find Windows 10 Product Key Using Command Prompt

Granted, it's probably not going to be the virtually exciting job in your day, simply learning how to discover your Windows x product key is definitely one of the most of import. Subsequently all, without information technology, you won't be able to activate your new Bone and yous may also miss out on crucial updates - yikes!

Thankfully, finding your Windows 10 production primal is fairly straightforward. These days, the product primal is no longer crucial for installing and reinstalling Windows on your PC, so you'll be able to perform a clean install of Windows 10. But, there are some features that you won't be able to access if you don't have the production primal, then knowing how to find it is well worth your time.

If you've invested in one of the best computers that comes with Windows 10, residual assured that your product primal will be on it. Merely, earlier you become crawling around backside your desk-bound trying to locate the 25-digit code that you'll probably need a magnifying drinking glass to read, there are easier means to runway this trivial beauty down.

Where to observe the product key volition depend on whether you lot purchased your reckoner or spent hours learning how to build a PC from scratch. If you opted for the latter (and we salute you!) then we recommend you check out our guide to the best Windows x production key finder as this will help make tracking it down that much easier.

The instructions below are for those of you who opted for the path of least resistance and picked upwards your PC from the store - no judgement from united states, it'southward our chosen path too! If you've installed Windows 10 but are now struggling to find your Windows 10 product key so you tin can access certain features, here'south everything you need to know.

Why you demand a Windows ten production key

It's no longer necessary to have a Windows 10 product cardinal to install the operating system on a PC. You can add it during the installation procedure, but you lot can only equally hands do so afterward.

Figuring out how to detect your Windows 10 product primal is necessary to activate your copy of Windows ten and gain unrestricted admission to its features. It's possible to continue to employ your PC with an unactivated re-create but you volition miss out on a number of features and, crucially, important updates.

It'll too nag you from time to time as a reminder that you're not using an activated copy of Windows 10.

Where to observe the Windows 10 product key for copies yous purchased

If y'all need to buy Windows x, you'll be given a fundamental either to enter manually or that will automatically be applied to your Microsoft Account. If y'all purchase through the Microsoft Store on your PC, the latter will apply.

If you buy through an authorized reseller, either digitally or receiving a physical box, you volition be provided a copy of the product key which you volition need to enter manually. It'south a good idea to keep this safe in instance you lot ever need it, simply if you lot exercise misplace it all is not lost - nosotros can definitely help you detect your Windows 10 product key so you don't miss out on important updates.

How to find your Windows ten product key on your PC

It isn't a well-advertised feature, just it is possible to detect your Windows 10 product primal from your PC.

It only takes a few minutes and the only pre-requisite is you're comfortable using Control Prompt.

Windows 10 Activation — (Image credit: TechRadar)

ane. Check if Windows ten is activated

The first stage is to check whether your copy of Windows 10 is activated. If it is, yous'll be able to find your product key. If it isn't you'll need to purchase ane.

Open the 'Settings' app on your PC and then select 'Update & Security.' Next, click 'Activation' in the sidebar.

You'll now run into a bulletin telling y'all whether Windows 10 is activated and whether it'due south with a digital license or with a digital license linked to your Microsoft Account.

Windows 10 product key — (Image credit: TechRadar)

2. How to find your product fundamental

The start step is to open Command Prompt with ambassador rights. In Windows search type 'Control Prompt' and when it appears, right-click and select 'Run equally Ambassador'. Click 'Yep' at the bulletin box that pops up and the Command Prompt window will open.

Alternatively, you can use Windows PowerShell. Open up this by correct-clicking on the Start Card and choosing 'Windows Powershell (Admin)'.

Now you'll have to enter the necessary control to see your Windows 10 product key. Annotation that it is example-sensitive, so you lot'll demand to copy it exactly as below:

          wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

Printing 'Enter' and y'all'll now see the product fundamental in front of you.

Summary

There are only a few times you may e'er need your Windows 10 production key, but it's an important thing to accept.

Fortunately, even if yous have a physical key and you lose information technology, you're not out of luck and can always dive into your PC and see what it is. Slice of mind if yous're transferring to a new PC or doing a clean install of Windows 10.