How to Find Windows Product Key (Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP)

If you 're preparing to reinstall Windows, then you need the Windows product key for installation and activation. In Windows 7, Vista or XP computers the Windows product key is commonly found on computer's case but in Windows Windows 10 and Windows 8 systems the Windows product key is embedded in BIOS. 

In this tutorial you can find instructions on how to find or to retrieve (from Registry or BIOS) the Windows or Office Product key(s) in order to re-install Windows (or Office) on your computer.

How to View the Product Key in Windows 10, 8.x, 7, Vista or XP.

• Windows 8.x, Windows 10 or Office (Purchased Online)
• Windows 8.x or Windows 10 (OEM – BIOS Product Key)
• Windows 7, Vista, XP

Windows 8.x or Windows 10 (Purchased Online).

– If you purchased Windows 8.x, 10 or Office online, then you can find your unique Windows or Office product key in the online order info or in the confirmation email or in the DVD package.

– If you have typed before the Windows 8.x or Windows 10 product key to install Windows, then you can use on of these these programs to retrieve the key from the registry.

How to retrieve the Windows 8.x /Windows 10 / Office Product key(s) from registry.

*Note: Keep in mind that the following utilities cannot retrieve the Windows Product Key on OEM pre-installed computers {the OS is installed by the computer manufacturer (e.g. Dell or other vendor)}. For OEM computers read the instructions below.

1. MSKeyViewer Plus : A freeware and portable utility that displays the product key of Windows and Office programs.

2. Belarc Advisor: Another freeware utility (for personal use only) that creates a detailed report of your installed OS, software, hardware, Antivirus Status, etc. and displays the report into a Web browser window (as an HTML file).

Windows 10 or Windows 8.x Preinstalled OEM computers:

– If you have bought a Windows 8, 8.1 or 10 OEM pre-installed computer, then the Windows product key is embedded in the BIOS (device's firmware).  Microsoft performed this change to avoid product keys from being compromised. In this case, you have to call the computer manufacturer and request the key or you can retrieve the product key from the BIOS. *

How to retrieve the Embedded Product key from BIOS  in Windows 8, 8.1 or Windows 10 PC.

• If Windows 8.x or Windows 10 is ALREADY ACTIVATED, then use the MSKeyViewer Plus  utility to find the Windows 8.x OEM product key.
• If Windows 8.x or Windows 10 NOT ACTIVATED YET, then you can retrieve the BIOS embedded product key by using one of the following methods:

Method 1. Open Command Prompt and give this command:

• wmic path softwarelicensingservice get /all /format:list | findstr OA3

Method 2. Run the freeware FirmwareTablesView utility from Nirsoft and utility and highlight the MSDM line (on the down pane) to view the embedded BIOS key (Windows OEM product key).

* Note: When you reinstall Windows 10 or 8.x on OEM computers, then Windows "looks: at the BIOS to find out the OEM Windows product key and then self activates. But, to be sure, I suggest to write down the retrieved key and use it in case that Windows aren't able to find the key and self activate.

Windows 7, Vista or XP:

You can found the Windows 7, Vista or XP product key in two ways:

A. From the sticker

– In Windows 7, Vista or XP systems, the product key can be found on a sticker on the computer case or inside the Windows installation package. So look at the Windows installation package or at the computer case (or at the bottom if your own a laptop) to find a sticker with a 25-digit number typed on it. (It looks like this: XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX- XXXXX).

(Windows-Product-Key-Sticker)

B. From Windows Registry.

– If you cannot found a sticker on the computer's case or the sticker is unreadable (erased) , then you can use one of the following product key finder utilities to retrieve your product key from Windows Registry:

How to retrieve the Windows 7, Vista or XP Product key from registry:

2. If you cannot find the 25 digit product key (or if it is erased), then you can use one of the following product key finder utilities to retrieve your product key from the installed OS:

1. MSKeyViewer Plus: A freeware portable utility that can retrieve Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and Office Product Keys from the computer's registry.

2. Belarc Advisor: Another freeware utility (for personal use only) that creates a detailed report of your installed software, hardware, Antivirus Status, etc. and displays the report into a Web browser window (as an HTML file).

That's it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.

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Konstantinos Tsoukalas

Konstantinos is the founder and administrator of Wintips.org. Since 1995 he works and provides IT support as a computer and network expert to individuals and large companies. He is specialized in solving problems related to Windows or other Microsoft products (Windows Server, Office, Microsoft 365, etc.).

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