The physical location of your Windows product key is often found on a label placed in hard-to-reach places on your PC. However, with a few commands and a little knowledge, you can use the operating system to reveal your Windows 11 product key. The general techniques for finding a product key are practically the same as for Windows 10, but there are subtle differences.
This tutorial will explain how to find your Windows 11 product key using the operating system and not by relying on the label randomly placed somewhere on your PC.
3 Easy Ways to Find Your Windows 11 Product Key
These techniques are best used for Windows 11 computers running the operating system from purchase or for Windows 10 PCs upgraded to Windows 11 via the patching process. Product keys for business PCs are distributed differently and may not be revealed using these methods.
1. Use Command Prompt in Windows 11
The most direct method to find your Windows 11 product key is from the command line. Open the Windows 11 Search tool and type “command.” Find Command Prompt in the search results and click the Run as administrator link to access the Command Prompt screen. You can also access the command prompt by using the Windows Key-R keyboard combination and typing “cmd” in the resulting text box.
Figure A
Type or paste this command when prompted and press the Enter key:
wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
The command will reveal your original Windows 11 product key right there on the Command Prompt screen.
2. Use PowerShell in Windows 11
If you prefer to use PowerShell, the process is similar, but the commands are different. Open the Windows 11 search tool and type “powershell.” Search for PowerShell in the search results and click the Run as administrator link.
Figure B
At the PowerShell command prompt, type or paste this command, and then press Enter:
powershell "(Get-WmiObject -query ‘select * from SoftwareLicensingService’).OA3xOriginalProductKey"
The command will reveal your original Windows 11 product key right there on the PowerShell prompt screen.
3. Use the Registry file in Windows 11
The Windows 11 product key is stored in the Windows Registry file, so it's possible to find it there if you navigate to the right place. Open the Windows 11 search tool and type “regedit”. Select the Registry Editor application from the results and click the Run as administrator link. Using the left window pane in the editor, navigate to this key:
ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionSoftwareProtectionPlatform
As you can see in the figure below, the BackupProductKeyDefault key will reveal a valid Windows 11 product key. Note: This key may be different from the key revealed by the Command Prompt or PowerShell.
Figure C
Exit Registry Editor when you are finished.
Additional Tips to Find Your Windows 11 Product Key
There are third-party vendors that offer apps that can locate and display your Windows 11 product key, but the techniques explained above seem to suggest that those apps may not be worth the potential security issues.
Also, note that if you purchased Windows 11 from the Microsoft Store, your account order history will have product key information.
