Many users are interested in how to view the license key for a Windows 10 product. This feature is really present right in the operating system. You can use third-party software or use the built-in tools to view the key. For beginners, it will really be easier to download a small utility that allows you to find out the license keys.
This article contains the best ways to find out the Windows 10 license key. Current methods may show different license keys. And all because of saving the license key not only in the operating system, but also in the UEFI interface. The second option often refers to pre-installed operating systems on modern laptops. And now it’s still possible to bind the license key to.
Method 1: View a Windows 10 Key Using PowerShell
Let's try to find out the product key without using third-party programs. This method is suitable for operating systems Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. Before that, we recommend. Since then you will need to change the built-in to independently change the file extension.
Method 2. How to view the activation key using a script in Windows 10
This one is simpler and more convenient than the previous one. Since it does not require the execution of many commands in the updated Windows PowerShell. The user just needs to run a small script, which actually displays the key used on the screen.
- Copy the text of the script into notepad, and change the file extension .tkht on .vbs to get the file W10Key.vbs or download the archive with the finished script
2. If you saved the file, just run it, if you downloaded it, unzip it and run it, and you will see the key for your Windows 10 product.
Method 3. View the key using ProduKey
ProduKey shows not only the license key of the operating system, but also the keys of the installed software. Without problems, you can get the product keys for the office software package from Microsoft.
Method 4. Find out the Windows 10 activation key using ShowKeyPlus
- Download the program from the official website of the developer.
- We start the program, we see a window where the Installed Key is the key of the installed system.
findings
Despite the fact that there are many programs for viewing the product key, I tried to describe only current solutions. Thanks to what in the ordinary user there is an opportunity View Windows 10 License Key. Write in the comments if the article was useful to you, and share the article with friends in the social. networks.
If the Windows activation key is not on the bottom of the laptop, if you lost the licensed installation DVD-ROM, where the key is indicated on the box, as well as in any other cases of loss of the latter, you need to find out and save it. There is no reason to put off this business. Before the planned reinstallation of Windows, of course, the activation key can be found as part of the general preparatory process. But, alas, reinstalling the operating system is such a process that it is not always possible to plan it in advance and carefully. The need to reinstall the OS can arise at any time - after unsuccessful experiments with system settings and third-party software, after virus penetration, in case of conflict of replaced hardware components, etc. Plus, Windows activation can simply fly off. This is not only a natural consequence of replacing the motherboard to which the Windows product key is bound. Activation may fail, for example, after installing a failed system update.
The activation key of the installed Windows can be seen in various programs for diagnosing the system and hardware resources of the computer. For example, in the popular AIDA64 program, the Windows product key is indicated in the "Operating System" section, in the subsection with the same name.
In another similar PC-Wizard program, you can see it in the “Configuration” section, in the “Operating System” section. When you click on the serial number in the upper part of the program window at the bottom, we get a display of the activation key of the installed Windows.
But if these programs are not installed on the computer, there’s no point in messing with their installation just to get the Windows activation key. It is much easier to use the small ProduKey program for these purposes. It does not require installation. ProduKey can be downloaded from its official website for free.
What ProduKey does is display the activation key information for installed Microsoft products. There are no other functions in it.
After unpacking the archive and launching the EXE file in the program window, we will see, in particular, the activation key of the installed Windows. We click the line with this key, call the context menu and select “Copy Product Key”.
The Windows activation key copied to the clipboard must then be saved, for example, in a TXT file or in web notes.
Windows 10 allows you to delay key entry and activation during the installation of the operating system. Whereas earlier versions of the system will not be installed without entering a product key. Therefore, just in case of an emergency, the activation key from this system is better to write down somewhere in a paper notebook.
Have a great day!
Previously, if the laptop came preloaded with the Windows operating system, then on its underside was a sticker with a product key or the so-called license key. Now, these stickers on laptops are not glued and it’s not possible to find out the product key just like that.
But, if you apply some tricks, then the Windows 10 product key can still be found out. In this material we will consider several ways at once how this can be turned.
It should be noted right away that different methods extract keys from different sources, so the keys received will be different. So, the key extracted from the operating system will be different from the key that is extracted from the UEFI of the motherboard.
How to view the product key in Windows 10 using third-party programs
If you want to find out the product key in Windows 10, then the easiest way is to resort to using third-party programs. In this case, you do not have to deal with the Windows Command Prompt or with PowerShell. All you need to do is install the program and run it.
The first program we will look at is called ProduKey. This program is released by NirSoft, a company known for its small utilities for Windows. You can download ProduKey.
The ProduKey program collects data about the keys installed in the operating system and provides this information in a convenient table. Using ProduKey, you can find out not only the Windows 10 product key, but also keys from other Microsoft programs. For example, you can find out the license key for the Microsoft Office suite of office programs.
Also, to view license keys, often use the ShowKeyPlus program. This is an open source program.
A feature of ShowKeyPlus is that it can retrieve a product key from multiple sources at once. Firstly, the program can extract the key from the Windows 10 operating system itself (in the program it is the Installed Key), secondly from the UEFI computer (in the program it is the OEM Key), and thirdly from the previous version of Windows, which is stored in the Windows folder .old.
How to see the license key of Windows 10 without using third-party programs
If you do not want to use third-party programs and are ready to tinker a bit with the tools built into Windows 10, then you can resort to the following options.
To view the license key stored in the UEFI of your motherboard, you need to run the following command:
- wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey
You can also perform this operation using Windows PowerShell. To start PowerShell, you can simply open the Start menu and enter “PowerShell” into the search. You can also open the Run menu using Windows + R and enter the PowerShell command there. After PowerShell starts up, you need to run the following command in it:
- (Get-WmiObject -query "select * from SoftwareLicensingService"). OA3xOriginalProductKey
After executing any of these commands, information on the license key that is stored in the UEFI of your motherboard will appear on the screen. If in UEFI there are no stored keys, then the commands will not give any result.
In addition, there is a script in the VBS language (Visual Basic Script) with which you can extract the product key from the Windows 10 operating system. To use this script, you need to open the Notepad program and paste the following code into the wrong one:
Set WshShell \u003d CreateObject ("WScript.Shell")
regKey \u003d "HKLM \\ SOFTWARE \\ Microsoft \\ Windows NT \\ CurrentVersion \\"
DigitalProductId \u003d WshShell.RegRead (regKey & "DigitalProductId")
Win10ProductName \u003d "Windows 10 Version:" & WshShell.RegRead (regKey & "ProductName") & vbNewLine
Win10ProductID \u003d "Product ID:" & WshShell.RegRead (regKey & "ProductID") & vbNewLine
Win10ProductKey \u003d ConvertToKey (DigitalProductId)
ProductKeyLabel \u003d "Windows 10 Key:" & Win10ProductKey
Win10ProductID \u003d Win10ProductName & Win10ProductID & ProductKeyLabel
MsgBox (Win10ProductID)
Function ConvertToKey (regKey)
Const KeyOffset \u003d 52
isWin10 \u003d (regKey (66) \\ 6) And 1
regKey (66) \u003d (regKey (66) And & HF7) Or ((isWin10 And 2) * 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 cur
Loop While j\u003e \u003d 0
If (isWin10 \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
As a result, the VBS script will be executed and information on the Windows 10 license key will appear on the screen.
Using licensed software often guarantees stable operation, software support and a guarantee in case of breakdown. Therefore, it is so important to know the activation key for Windows. The key for Windows is a 25-character code. In this article, we will look at how to find out the product key for Windows installed on your personal computer.
For example, you can find out the license keys for Windows:
- Not using the system
- Using a script
- Via third-party software
You can find out the Windows license key without using the system and not including the computer at all. If a license sticker has been saved on your system unit or the case of your laptop, then the key can be viewed on it. Here's what they look like:
The license key for activating Windows consists of 25 characters. If you have a sticker like that, then you have a license key for your version of Windows.
The arsenal of an experienced Windows installer always has the program ProduKey. With its help, you can not only find out the key for Windows, but also the office suite.
How to find out the Windows product key:
- Download the program from the site to find out the Windows activation key
- Unzip and run the Produkey.exe file
Running the program, you will see a window where the keys of all installed products from Microsoft are displayed.
The program is very easy to use, questions should not arise even for beginners. Another very useful feature of the program is that you can see the key of not only the local computer, but also the remote computer on the network. How to find out the Windows license key:
- Click on “File” - “Select Source” or press F9
- Specify the name of the computer on which you want to see the key
Now you know how to find out the key for Windows through third-party software.
Please note that this method does not work on the Windows 10 operating system. The script will help you find out the Windows product key on a laptop or desktop PC. The essence of the method is that you need to create a regular text document (in Notepad, Word) and paste the script into it.
How to find out a Windows product key using a script (an example of how to find a Windows product key through a script runs on Windows 8):
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:" & WshShell.RegRead (regKey & "ProductName") & vbNewLine Win8ProductID \u003d "Windows Product ID:" & WshShell.RegRead (regKey & "ProductID") & vbNewLine Win8ProductKey \u003d ConvertToKey (DigitalProductId) strProductKey \u003d "Windows 8 Key:" & Win8ProductKame Win8ProductName & Win8ProductName Win8ProductN \u003d Win8ProductName Win8ProductID & 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) Or ((isWin8 2) * 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 Cur Loop While j\u003e \u003d 0 If (is Win8 \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
After you paste the script code, you need to save this document with the extension vbs.
After that, just run the created file. If everything is done correctly, you will see a message with the necessary information.
Losing a product key (CD Key / activation code / serial number) is always an unpleasant problem. In such cases, you usually have to contact the developers or even spend money on the purchase of a new version of the program. Well, the most common option - the "key" on the licensed Windows sticker was erased (which the author came across). What to do if you don’t want to pay, and you need the activation code right now, because the application does not fully function and you need to reinstall it? Fortunately, there is a whole class of free utilities for restoring serial files, the most famous of which are Windows Product Key Finder Proand Keyfinderabout what below.
So, suppose you “lost” the key to a fairly purchased Windows or Microsoft Office suite. In order to recognize him and save at least in txt-file, one important condition is required: you need to “fish out” before uninstalling (uninstalling) non-working software or formatting the hard disk, because all keys are encrypted in the system registry and will be permanently lost. Therefore, after reading the article, without delay, check the software stickers and, if they are damaged, restore and save the necessary information, for example, to a USB flash drive.
Windows Product Key Finder Professional
This utility is simple and understandable even without special knowledge of the English language. After installation, in the open program window you will see decrypted activation codes for Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / 7/8 and, if available, MS Office XP / 2003/2007/2010 / 2013. It is not necessary to search for paper and pen using the " Save"and" Print"keys are instantly copied to a text file or printed.
Free download from the official site Windows Product Key Finder .
Warning!
With all the "pluses", the program will significantly litter in the system registry, so the best option is below.
Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder
Perhaps the most advanced of the possibilities of free key search engines is Keyfinder from developers from sunny Cyprus. Using the link below I recommend downloading a portable version of the program safe for the registry, which, when opened, will show in the right half of the window all hidden "serial numbers". It will also help to restore registration data (username, product ID) and export information to a TXT / CSV file or to paper (see in the top panel " File"). By the way, the number of supported products, apart from the Windows and Microsoft Office lines, is over 300!
Download Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder (distribution + portableversion).
Note: In Windows and Office packages, the product key is a sequence of 25 characters of the form XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. They can only activate that edition (version) of the software that is indicated on the license sticker, i.e. You cannot activate Windows 7 Professional using the Windows 7 Home key. Besides:
- Retail -key activated Retail-copy of the application on any, but only one computer. Retail- the key in the form of a sticker can be carefully stuck to the system unit or laptop.
- OEM -key is used to activate one OEM-copy on the same PC on which it was first activated. OEM- sticker ( Certificate of Authenticity) is already glued by the manufacturer to the body.
Actually, that’s all, I’m sure that you also figured out the copies and stickers.
Dmitriy dmitry_spb Evdokimov
