Finding Your Windows 11 Product Key: A Step-by-Step Guide

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• Enter a wmic command into Command Prompt or PowerShell to see the product key.
• You can also find the Windows 11 product key with Registry Editor. Search for BackupProductKeyDefault.
• The product key might be necessary for reinstalling or upgrading the OS.

This article includes easy methods for finding the Windows 11 product key on your computer.

Use the Product Key Command in Command Prompt

This is the easiest way to find the product key for Windows 11, even if you've never used the Command Prompt. Follow these steps to make this tool display the product key:

1. Open Command Prompt. A quick way to get there is through a search: type cmd into the search bar on the taskbar, and then select Command Prompt.

2. Copy this command, and then paste it into Command Prompt by right-clicking in the black space:
   

    wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
   

3. Press the Enter key on your keyboard. Command Prompt will display your product key.

   

Use a PowerShell Command to Get the Windows 11 Product Key

If you prefer, you can use Windows 11 PowerShell to find your product key.

1. Open Terminal (which includes PowerShell) by right-clicking the Start button and choosing Terminal.

2. Make sure PowerShell is open. Use the down arrow at the top of Terminal to select it.

   

3. Paste one of the following commands:
   

    wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
   

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

4. Press Enter to see your Windows 11 product key.

   

How to Find the Windows 11 Product Key in the Registry

Although this method is a bit riskier than the techniques covered above, the Windows Registry stores the product key as well. Here's where to find it:

The registry is a delicate place that should be used only if you're careful. While these steps are straightforward and shouldn't cause any problems, a small misstep could be difficult to track down later should you need to undo it. We recommend making a registry backup so that you can restore it later if you need to.

1. Open Registry Editor. The quick way to get there is through the Run dialog box: Press Win+R, type regedit, and select OK.

2. Paste the following path into the navigation bar at the top of the program, and then press Enter:
   

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

3. Double-click BackupProductKeyDefault to see the Windows 11 product key.

   

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FAQ

• Do I need a Windows 11 product key?

  If your computer supports it, you can get Windows 11 for free, but you can't use all the features without activating it with a product key or a digital license. If you upgrade from Windows 10, it should already be activated.

• Where can I buy a Windows 11 product key?

  You can buy a Windows 11 product key from the Microsoft Store, but you may be able to find it for cheaper from an online retailer. Just make sure you purchase it from a legitimate source.
  

• How do I activate Windows 11 with a product key?

  If you didn't enter the Windows 11 product key during installation, go to Settings > System > Activation > Change.