The product key in Windows 10, as in earlier versions of this operating system, is a 25-digit code consisting of letters and numbers that is used to activate the system. It can be useful to the user during the OS reinstallation process, so losing the key is a rather unpleasant event. But if this happened, you should not be very upset, since there are ways with which you can find out this code.
There are several programs with which you can view the Windows 10 OS activation key. Let's consider some of them in more detail.
Method 1: Speccy
You need to be wary of third-party programs, as your product key can be stolen by intruders and used for their own purposes.
Method 3: ProduKey
ProduKey is a small utility that also does not require installation. You just need to download it from the official website, run it and view the information you need. Unlike other programs, ProduKey is designed only for displaying activation keys and does not overload users with unnecessary information.
Method 4: PowerShell
You can also find out the activation key with the built-in tools of Windows 10. Among them, PowerShell, the system's command shell, occupies a special place. In order to view the desired information, you need to write and execute a special script.
It is worth noting that it is difficult for inexperienced users to learn the code using standard tools, so it is not recommended to use them if you do not have enough knowledge in the field of computer technology.
To do this, follow these steps.
If, when starting the script, you get a message stating that the execution of scripts is prohibited, then enter the command Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned, and then confirm your decision by pressing "Y" and Enter.
Obviously, using third-party programs is much easier. Therefore, if you are not an experienced user, then opt for installing additional software. This will save you time.
The Windows operating system provides comprehensive information and contains the necessary parameters that allow the user to solve personal problems. But, with the advent of a new version, a person has difficulties in finding the required settings due to changes in the program interface. Difficulties arise with turning on the computer, consisting in the fact that the operating system works for a certain period. Since an OS without an activation key is valid during the trial period, you have to look for and read the instructions for using the program.
Key types
Activation keys are of two types by their type:
OEM activation key
This group of keys is intended and used by assemblers of finished, assembled equipment. Designed for products with a pre-installed OS. They are characterized by a low price compared to Product Key type keys, as they are purchased at a wholesale price. They have a limitation associated with the installation of the program, due to the fact that the activation code and information about it are embedded in the motherboard.
The restrictions impose the following inconveniences:
- The activation code is valid on a specific device, so the key cannot be used on another OS or hardware.
- The seller of the device does not warn about the features of the code used.
- There is confusion in the types of keys use, since the user is not obliged to know the nuances, types of distributed software licenses provided by Microsoft.
Product Key
The key is a confirmation of payment for the purchased software. Programs are provided free of charge for a trial period for the purpose of familiarization. It is free from the lack of an OEM key and can be used on any hardware.
What is the key for??
A legal activation key gives you the right to use the OS on a permanent basis. and also have the following advantages:
- Update. Microsoft provides its customers with free downloadable updates that fix found system flaws. The software is downloaded from the official site, which excludes theft of personal data. Eliminated threats of penetration to the hard drive of the PC, Improved system performance and stability
- Technical support. Legal customers are eligible for assistance from a representative of the released product company. In the pirated version of the OS, the Call-center operator's services are not provided.
Development of applications for client security. The manufacturer has developed and provided the following applications to ensure the safety of using the client's device:
- Microsoft Security Essentials. It is an anti-virus program distributed free of charge among legal OS users. Developed by the company's programmers. Fights against malicious manifestations of programs, which protects the user from the actions of a potential attacker.
- Windows Firewall. Serves to ensure security in the local network and the Internet. This software monitors the received packets and, in the event of a threat, stops data transmission, protecting the client from receiving malicious content.
- The threat of punishment by law enforcement agencies for illegal possession of the company's information property. The use of a pirated product entails legal liability. The user will be punished in accordance with the articles of the administrative and (or) criminal code. Electronics on which pirated software is installed is subject to arrest and seizure.
Where to watch the key?
In those days when the virtual space was not publicly available, the operating system activation key was indicated on the manufacturer's label. Information was located on the side of the device body or on the back cover. 
In the absence of a sticker, information about the code was searched for:
- In the operating system
- Using BIOS (BIOS)
- Using software.
To find out the activation key on Windows 10, the user needs to follow the steps:
Difference between product ID and product code
ID code is generated after OS installation. Designed to recognize the operating system by Microsoft call center operators. Serves to provide services and technical support to the user. The code is a unique combination of letters and numbers, consisting of 20 characters.
Product code. Presented by a unique combination of numbers and letters, entered during the installation of software from Microsoft, and is intended for use by the customer. Consists of 25 characters.
Looking for a keywindows 10 via scripts
Scripts written in the Visual Basic Script programming language are used to view product activation information. A script is a text file whose script, when executed, automates the user's task.
In order to view the key, you must:
- Write a script using Notepad or notepad. It is allowed to download the file from the Internet, so as not to write yourself.
- Make sure the script is of type VBS.
- Run the script through an executable file.
Powershell
PowerShell is a command line analogue. It appeared in 2006. Works on Windows versions ranging from XP to Windows 10.
In order to find out the activation codes for PowerShell, you need to start and then execute the script, as when working with the command line. In order to find out the activation code, you must:
The program takes license data from the UEFI BIOS, which replaced the Legacy BIOS
The fact is that earlier information about the license, working on a laptop, was taken through the BIOS. Information about the keys is in the section "Main".
The following keyboard shortcuts are assigned to enter the BIOS:
- To enter the BIOS on the Asus laptop, you need to hold down the key F2
- On a Packard Bell laptop - F1
ShowKeyPlus
The program does not require installation on a computer. After launch, provides information:
- About the name of the operating system
- Software key number
- About the key currently in use
- The original OS key.
whatsuch Installed Keyand OEM Key?
OS users confuse OEM and Installed keys.
The OEM key is described in the subheading "Key types", Installed is the key used by Windows.
Other applications
In order to find out the activation key, there are programs:
Free PCAudit
The program is portable and free. Information about the key is contained in paragraph "Windows Prpduct Key" tabs "System".
AIDA64
It is a tool for monitoring PC components.
This program has information about the activation key in the tab "Operating system", item - "Product Key"... Located in the section "License Information".
SIW (SystemInformationWindows)
The utility stores information about licenses in the section "Licenses".
Invalid product key
In a situation where the entered operating system activation code is not suitable, you must:
- Make sure the key is entered correctly.
- If you have any problems, contact Microsoft technical support.
An activation code is a must. If you lose information about activation, you should not be afraid, as there are ways to find this information.
VIDEO
Each licensed copy of the Windows 10 operating system has a unique key that indicates the activation of the installed version. The key consists of 25 characters, including English letters and numbers. Without this code and entering it into the system, your OS will be available within 30 days from the moment of installation. After that, the computer will remind you of the need for activation, and after a while it will stop loading altogether. Below you can read about how to find out your Windows 10 product key, what types of keys are there and what they are for.
Operating system serial numbers are of two types:
- OEM-key - "sewn" into the motherboard memory by default, since the OS was installed by the manufacturer;
- Product Key. This key applies to the installed digital version of the product.
There is sometimes confusion due to the difference between the two types of serial numbers. For example, if you uninstall a preinstalled copy of the OS and then install your own version, then the OEM and Product keys will not match.
Why do I need a key?
Prior to the release of the "10", Microsoft developers used an easier way to define a unique code. The serial number for the pre-installed version of the operating system was always found on a sticker on the back of the laptop or PC case. With the advent of Windows 10 and the proliferation of digital versions, it was decided to abandon this venture.
Now the owners of the "dozens" have to use non-trivial solutions to determine the serial key. You will need the number if you decide to reinstall a licensed copy of the OS on your computer. When using a pirated version, this operation is not required, since activation is carried out using a special program. You can also purchase a Windows 10 license through Microsoft's official website.
How to check if Windows 10 is activated?
Before looking for a key in the system, check the activation of your copy. This is very easy to do. To solve the problem, follow these steps:
- Right click on the shortcut "This computer" on the desktop and select the item in the context menu.
- In the window that opens, you will see information about your system (technical data, performance evaluation, etc.). In subsection "ActivationWindows " there should be an inscription: "ActivationWindows is done "as shown in the screenshot:
You can open the same window using the Win + Pause / Break keyboard shortcut
Now you know how to check if the installed copy of the OS is activated. Now you can start looking for a license key for your Windows 10.
Where can I find the Windows 10 key?
You can find the activation key using standard OS tools and third-party programs. Let's consider all methods in more detail:
- vBS script;
- extended command line (PowerShell);
- produKey program;
- ShowKeyPlus;
- extraction from UEFI;
- applications for collecting system data.
Finding the key through scripts
This method describes how to find the license key using Visual Basic Script. It differs from the usual command line in that the result of the script is visualized in a separate window. You can download the script by. If you have any difficulties with downloading, do not worry - you can create such a script yourself.
First you need to create a document in Notepad with the following Then save the file anywhere on your computer with the .vbs resolution and any name in English. To change the extension, you must first save the text document, and then change the resolution through the rename function. Next, you need to run the file by simply clicking on it. The system should show the OEM key on the desktop in a separate window, as shown in the screenshot. Click OK, and then you will see more detailed information about the installed version of the operating system:
The method works for 32-bit and 64-bit systems, as well as for all versions of Windows 10, including Home, and Pro.
PowerShell
The second way to get the key using the built-in functionality is using the PowerShell command line, which is available only on Windows 10 (x64). With its help, you will receive information about the Product Key, that is, the number of the current OS version.
- Launch Notepad and copy the text from. After that, save the file to any folder with the .ps extension. Now you need to run PowerShell as administrator. To do this, go to the search and enter the name in English (1). Now right-click on the icon and select from the menu "Run as administrator" (3).
- In the command prompt window enter the command Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned and press Enter on your keyboard. Next, you need to specify the path to the file with the extension .ps1. If you saved it directly to your desktop, then the command will look like this:
The Installed Key line will contain the 25-digit code for your operating system. You can save it to a separate text file. Now let's figure out where to check the serial number on the OEM version of the OS.
We get the key from UEFI
This method will find the OEM Key.
- First, let's open a command prompt as administrator:
At the command prompt, enter the combination and press Enter.
The same action can be performed through PowerShell. Open PowerShell again as described earlier and enter the command ( Get-WmiObject -query "select * from SoftwareLicensingService").
Now you know how to check a license using the built-in tools of the operating system. Let's move on to third-party tools.
To install the program, follow the link. The application is launched without installation, immediately after downloading. The main ProduKey window will display information about the serial numbers of the installed software:
Produkey is also used to determine the license number for Microsoft office suites and other software.
Download the program for free from the link. Once launched, you can immediately read Product and OEM information in one screen:
Other applications
If you want to receive information not only about the OS license, but also about the entire PC, you can use one of the following programs:
- AIDA 64;
- Everest;
- SIW and the like.
The software in this category allows you to find out everything about the software and hardware installed on your computer. The information also includes data on serial numbers. Finding them is not that difficult.
Let's take a program as an example. On the main screen, click on the OperatingSystem (1). On the right side of the program, you will see SerialNumber (2). In a similar way, you can find the serial number through the other programs listed above.
conclusions
There are many ways to find the Product Key or OEM Key of an installed operating system. The article describes everything so that the user can use it by choosing the method independently. If any method does not work for you or you do not understand the procedure for its implementation, just move on to another! The easiest way is to use automated software such as ProduKey and others. More experienced users can easily cope with scripts and the command line (PowerShell).
Video instruction
This article will describe the basic methods for determining the Windows product key for subsequent activation. System activation is necessary if you do not want to see a black desktop background, watermark on top of main applications, lack of personalization, or worse, restarting the system every hour.
Basically, 2 methods will be described: identification by a sticker and determination of the "embedded" product key.
Key sticker
If you purchased a device with Windows 7 preinstalled (or a system unit for version 8 or 10), then in most cases, the Product Key will be indicated on a sticker describing the OS version. Laptops and all-in-ones most often have an embedded product key.
Depending on the form factor of the device and the manufacturer, the stickers are applied to different places. They can be on the side or top walls of the system unit, on the back of the candy bar, on the back of the laptop (also under the battery).
Keyless sticker
Devices with preinstalled Windows (OEM) may have a sticker indicating that the product key may be contained in the SLIC (Software Licensing Description Table) BIOS of the device. The use of this method began mainly with the version of Windows 8, therefore, in the "seven" and lower versions, it will not work to use the SLIC table. There are several ways to determine a key from a SLIC table:
- Using built-in tools (command line)
- Using a third party app (ProduKey, RWEverything)
Open a command prompt window as Administrator cmd and enter the command:
wmic path softwarelicensingservice get oa3xoriginalproductkey
It is impossible to determine the key from Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 version with this command from the Windows 7 system, but specialized software for reading the system's SLIC tables, for example, RWEverything, can help you.
First, download the free utility from the RWEverything official website. You can download both the installer and the portable version of the utility.
Run the application and click on the ACPI Table button, then in the window that opens, go to the MSDM tab. The required information will be in the Data line XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.
The key with which the system is activated
There are times when a sticker is worn, damaged, or dirty, making it difficult to fully read the product key. If the operating system is already activated, then it is still possible to find out the Product Key that was used to activate the operating system.
You can use utilities such as ProduKey.
Download the free app from the developer's site and run it.
Through script
You can also find out the system activation key using the built-in system tools. This requires creating a VBS script. Open Notepad and copy the following text and save in * vbs format.
Set WshShell \u003d CreateObject ("WScript.Shell") regKey \u003d "HKLM \\ SOFTWARE \\ Microsoft \\ Windows NT \\ CurrentVersion \\" DigitalProductId \u003d WshShell.RegRead (regKey & "DigitalProductId") Win8ProductName \u003d "Windows Product Name:" & WReadShell.Reg (regKey & "ProductName") & vbNewLine Win8ProductID \u003d "Windows Product ID:" & WshShell.RegRead (regKey & "ProductID") & vbNewLine Win8ProductKey \u003d ConvertToKey (DigitalProductId) strProductKey \u003d "Windows KeyKey:" & Win8Product8 & strProductKey MsgBox (Win8ProductKey) MsgBox (Win8ProductID) Function ConvertToKey (regKey) Const KeyOffset \u003d 52 isWin8 \u003d (regKey (66) \\ 6) And 1 regKey (66) \u003d (regKey (66) And & HF7) And (2 (isWin8 ) * 4) j \u003d 24 Chars \u003d "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789" Do Cur \u003d 0 y \u003d 14 Do Cur \u003d Cur * 256 Cur \u003d regKey (y + KeyOffset) + Cur regKey (y + KeyOffset) \u003d (Cur \\ 24) Cur \u003d Cur Mod 24 y \u003d y -1 Loop While y\u003e \u003d 0 j \u003d j -1 winKeyOutput \u003d Mid (Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & winKeyOutput Last \u003d Cu r Loop While j\u003e \u003d 0 If (isWin8 \u003d 1) Then keypart1 \u003d Mid (winKeyOutput, 2, Last) insert \u003d "N" winKeyOutput \u003d Replace (winKeyOutput, keypart1, keypart1 & insert, 2, 1, 0) If Last \u003d 0 Then winKeyOutput \u003d insert & winKeyOutput End If a \u003d Mid (winKeyOutput, 1, 5) b \u003d Mid (winKeyOutput, 6, 5) c \u003d Mid (winKeyOutput, 11, 5) d \u003d Mid (winKeyOutput, 16, 5) e \u003d Mid (winKeyOutput, 21, 5) ConvertToKey \u003d a & "-" & b & "-" & c & "-" & d & "-" & e End Function
Run this file and will be displayed in the window that opens.
Manufacturers of modern laptops and computers are actively abandoning floppy drives, since any program or game can be downloaded from the Internet, and the presence of a drive only makes a PC more expensive for the end customer. At the same time, users who are accustomed to receiving a Windows disc and a license key with a computer have difficulties when it comes to reinstalling the operating system. While Windows itself can be installed from a USB flash drive, you will still need a license key from it. In this case, users have a question: how to find out the Windows product key that was preinstalled on a laptop (stationary computer), or was installed later from a disk that is not available at the moment? It's quite enough to do this, both using Windows tools and using third-party programs.
When asking the question of determining the license key of the operating system operating on the computer, you should understand such concepts as Installed Key and OEM Key. Basically, they are both Windows license keys, but there are some differences between them. The way they are defined also differs.
Installed Key is the installation key of the operating system operating on the computer. It can be determined on those laptops and stationary computers on which Windows was installed by users independently from a disk or in the form of a digital copy purchased over the Internet and activated.
OEM Key is the license key of the version of Windows that was originally installed on the computer. The OEM key information is embedded in the motherboard of a laptop or desktop computer and cannot be changed.
Thus, if the computer was running Windows 8 at the time of purchase and later upgraded to Windows 10, the OEM and Installed key information will be different. At the same time, wanting to install Windows 8 on a new computer, you will need to enter the OEM key - only it will work with this version of the operating system. Installed Key is fine if you want to install Windows 10.
Attention: You can use an existing OEM or Installed key only for the version of the operating system that is installed on the computer. You cannot enter a key from the Basic version of Windows 10 to Professional build.
How do I find out the Windows 10 key using the operating system?
On any computer, having administrator rights, you can find out the Windows 10 license key without third-party programs and applications. The procedures are different, in the case of determining the OEM and Installed keys.
It is very easy to find out the operating system license key, which is "sewn" into the computer motherboard, if you know the command that is specifically provided for this in Windows 10. To determine the OEM key, do the following:
The issued OEM key can be used to reinstall the version of the operating system that was originally installed on the computer.
Using one command, the Installed Key cannot be determined, and it is hidden a little deeper in the Windows operating system. But you can get information about the Windows license key if you want without installing third-party applications on your computer. To do this, you need to do the following:
- Start a blank standard Windows Notepad, which can be found in the following path: "Start" - "All Applications" - "Standard Windows" - "Notepad".
- Copy the following code into your open text editor program:
Please note that Installed Key is displayed under Product Key. Also, following the steps above allows you to find out some details about the operating system used on your computer.
How can I find Windows keys using third-party programs?
From the instructions above, you can see that it is very easy to find the Windows OEM Key, but "getting" to the Installed Key is much more difficult, and the procedure for detecting it using Windows tools takes a lot of time. If you do not want to carry it out, you can install a third-party application that independently detects information about the OEM Key and Installed Key on the computer, and then gives it to the PC administrator.
ShowKeyPlus is considered one of the simplest and most convenient programs for determining the Windows key. It can be downloaded from the official website of the developers absolutely free. In this case, the program not only shows information about the license keys of the version of Windows used, but also allows users to save the information received in a txt document. 
