How to find your Windows 11 or Windows 10 product key

First, check whether you need the key at all

Open Settings > System > Activation. If the status reads "Windows is activated with a digital license" or "…with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account," you can reinstall or reset Windows on the same PC and it will activate on its own. You only need the actual key if you're moving the license to new hardware or the digital license has stopped working.

The same screen tells you the edition (Home or Pro). Keep it in mind: a key only activates the edition it was made for.

Method 1: Read the key from your PC's firmware with PowerShell

Laptops and desktops sold with Windows 8 or later usually have the original key embedded in the firmware. Right-click the Start button, choose Terminal or Windows PowerShell, and run:

(Get-CimInstance -Query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey

If a 25-character key appears, that's the key your PC shipped with. If the result is blank, the PC was built or upgraded without a firmware key, which is common for custom-built desktops and older machines upgraded from Windows 7.

Method 2: See which key and license channel are installed

To see the last five characters of the key currently in use, plus the license channel (Retail, OEM or Volume), open Command Prompt and run:

slmgr /dli

A small window shows the description, for example "RETAIL channel" or "OEM_DM channel," and the partial key. Windows deliberately never displays the full installed key. Matching the last five characters against your records tells you which key you used. The channel matters if you plan to move the license: see OEM vs. retail vs. volume licenses.

Method 3: Check your order email, card or sticker

• Bought online: search your email for "product key," "Windows 11" or the seller's name. TrustiKeys sends keys on WhatsApp, so also check your chat with us.
• Retail box or card: the key is printed on a card or label inside the package.
• Older PCs (Windows 7 era): look for a Certificate of Authenticity sticker on the bottom of the laptop or the side of the tower.
• Microsoft Store purchase: sign in at account.microsoft.com and check Order history.

What about key finder apps?

Key finder utilities can recover keys from the registry, but many free downloads are bundled with adware. The PowerShell and slmgr commands above use only built-in Windows tools. If you do use a third-party tool, download it from the developer's own site and scan it first.

If you can't find a key anywhere

If Windows is activated with a digital license, you don't need one. If it isn't activated and no key can be found, you'll need a new license for that edition. A Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro key activates one PC; enter it under Settings > System > Activation > Change product key.

Frequently asked questions