A product key provides Windows 11 with the information it requires to authenticate that your copy of the operating system was purchased legally. It also activates Windows, giving you full access to all of its functions. In this Windows 11 tutorial, you’ll how to find and locate Windows 11 product key using Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell.
Moreover, if you’re planning a Windows reinstall but can’t find your product key, you’re in luck: it’s saved in the Windows Registry. It’s just not simple to get across, and reading it without assistance is nearly difficult. Fortunately, we’re here to assist you.
In the meantime, we’re not sure why Microsoft went to such efforts to hide product keys for its software, especially when they’re kept directly in the registry and can be accessed by software, if not by people. We can only presume that they don’t want someone to reuse an old computer’s key.
The best part is that you can even retrieve a key from a machine that has stopped working. All you need is access to a functional computer’s disc drive. Continue reading to learn more.
How to Find Windows 11 Product key
There are a variety of situations in which knowing where to find your Windows 11 product key is critical. Perhaps your PC is operating slowly, and you’d like to install Windows 11 from scratch. Alternatively, you may require the license to be transferred to a new machine. Whatever the cause, here’s how to locate and find your Windows 11 product key.
Method 1. Locate via Command Prompt (CMD)
Though it might sound tricky, the easiest way to get your product key in Windows 11 is by using the Command Prompt.
Step 1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Step 2. Now, type the following command to locate your Windows 11 product key. Your product key should now be revealed in the line below your command.
wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
This product key can be copied/photographed and saved in a suitable area so that it can be readily retrieved in the future.
Method 2. How to Find Windows 11 Product Key via Windows PowerShell
Step 1. Open Windows PowerShell as an administrator.
Step 2. Now, type the following command to locate your Windows 11 product key. This will bring up the current Windows 11 product key.
(Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey
Additional Method. Apply VBScript to Back Up Windows 11 Product Key
Open Notepad as an administrator.
Click here and then copy the code. Once copied, paste it to Notepad.
Click the File tab and choose Save As…
Select the destination, select All Files next to the Save as type. You can name it anything but you have to add .vbs at the end. Click Save.
Locate the VBS file on the Desktop and double-click it to open.
The Backup Windows Key Information will show up, and you can see your Installed Key for Windows 11. Click Yes to save to a file.
What is the Purpose of a Windows Product Key?
A Windows product key is a one-of-a-kind identification for your Windows purchase. This one-of-a-kind key is used to identify and remunerate your purchase on Microsoft’s server, allowing the firm to validate and activate your Windows version. Since the days of Windows XP, the Windows product key has been an infamous companion of the OS and has always managed to cause problems for most users.
When installing Windows on a new computer, the key is required to authenticate your purchase of the operating system and activate it properly. If you do not activate Windows, it will expire after 30 days and you will have restricted functionality and capabilities on your computer during that time.
That’s it. These were the 3 best methods to view and find the Windows 11 product key. We hope you were able to recover/find your Windows 11 product key following the instructions provided. If you run into any problems or have any queries for us, please let us know in the comments area below.