Finding out your Windows activation key is useful information when you need to reinstall your operating system, format your PC, and other activities.Learn how to view your Windows 10 or 11 activation key easily. Follow our step-by-step guide to find your key and enjoy all the features of your operating system
You can find the Windows activation key using the Command Prompt of Microsoft’s own operating system. When using a command line, it is possible to discover the Windows serial via CMD.
Another way to find out the Windows key is using PowerShell. Similar to Command Prompt, you can use a script to get the operating system activation key information.
Next, discover the two ways to view your Windows key without using third-party apps!
INDEX
- How to view the Windows activation key using CMD
- Search for Command Prompt with Windows Start
- Click “Run as Administrator” to open Command Prompt
- Run the command to view Windows activation key
- How to find out the Windows activation key using PowerShell
- Access Windows PowerShell from Windows Start
- Select “Run as Administrator” PowerShell
- Use the command line to find out the Windows key
- Why doesn’t my Windows display the activation key?
- What is the difference between the digital license and the Windows activation key?
- Can I activate Windows without having an activation key?
- Can I transfer my Windows activation key to another computer?
- Can you use the Windows 10 activation key on Windows 11?
- Is there a way to recover the activation key after formatting Windows 11?
How to view the Windows activation key using CMD
1. Search for Command Prompt with Windows Start
Click the Windows “Start” button on the taskbar and type “CMD” (without quotes) to find the “Command Prompt” option.
Searching for the Command Prompt in the Windows “Start” Menu (Image: Reproduction/Windows 11)
2. Click “Run as Administrator” to open Command Prompt
Click on the “Run as Administrator” option and then confirm the action to open the Windows Command Prompt and thus use the script to find the Windows product key.
Accessing the Command Prompt as an administrator (Image: Reproduction/Windows 11)
3. Run the command to view Windows activation key
Enter the command wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey in the Command Prompt. Then, press the “Enter” key on your keyboard and the Windows activation key will be displayed.
Running the command to discover the Windows activation key (Image: Reproduction/Windows 11)
How to find out the Windows activation key using PowerShell
1. Access Windows PowerShell from Windows Start
Use the Windows “Start” button on the taskbar and type “PowerShell” (without quotes) to access the shortcut for the program.
Searching for the PowerShell application in the Windows “Start” Menu (Image: Reproduction/Windows 11)
2. Select “Run as Administrator” PowerShell
Click “Run as Administrator” – or “Run as Administrator”, in some versions – to open Windows PowerShell and find out how to locate the Windows key.
Opening the PowerShell application as an administrator (Image: Reproduction/Windows 11)
3. Use the command line to find out the Windows key
Enter the powershell command “(Get-WmiObject -query ‘select * from SoftwareLicensingService’).OA3xOriginalProductKey” . Then press the “Enter” key for Windows PowerShell to display your Windows activation key.
Running the command line that reveals the Windows activation key (Image: Reproduction/Windows 11)
Why doesn’t my Windows display the activation key?
There are a few reasons why Windows may not display the activation key. The most common are:
- Wrong commands:You may be typing scripts incorrectly in Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell. Check that you are typing the commands exactly as indicated;
- Digital license:the copy of Windows installed on the PC uses another activation format that does not require the product key. If you cannot find the key using traditional methods, it is possible that your computer uses this type of license;
- Copy of Windows has not been activated:If Windows is not yet activated on your PC, the activation key will not be displayed in Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell.
What is the difference between the digital license and the Windows activation key?
The Windows digital license is a method of activating the operating system, especially Windows 11. Since it is linked to your Microsoft account, it allows you to use the product without having to enter or confirm the product key.
The Windows product activation key is a 25-character code that can be found in the Command Prompt. As the name already reveals, it is used to activate the operating system on PCs.
Can I activate Windows without having an activation key?
You cannot activate Windows if you do not have an activation key. Although several third-party programs promise to perform the action, they are not recommended because they can bring malware and put your computer’s security at risk.
An alternative is to link to your Microsoft account to activate Windows on your PC. If you have a platform account with a valid Windows 10 license, you can use it to activate the operating system on your computer.
Is it possible to use the computer without activating Windows?
You can use your PC without activating Windows for a period of 30 days, but experiences will be limited. It will not be possible to customize the operating system, receive security updates and the message about the need for activation will be displayed in the settings.
Can I transfer my Windows activation key to another computer?
Windows activation keys purchased through Retail Channel can be transferred to other computers. You must deactivate the code on the old machine before registering on the new PC.
Windows activation keys used by brands when installing the operating system on PCs at the factory (OEM Channel) cannot be transferred to another computer. This code is unique to the machine.
Can you use the Windows 10 activation key on Windows 11?
Yes, it is possible to use the Windows 10 activation key on Windows 11. However, this action is only possible if you have a retail copy of the operating system (Retail Channel).
It’s worth mentioning that you can upgrade to Windows 11 for free , as long as you have an active copy of Windows 10. All you need is for your computer to meet the operating system’s minimum requirements to perform the upgrade.
Is there a way to recover the activation key after formatting Windows 11?
Yes, you can recover the activation key after formatting Windows 11 . The easiest method is usually to use the digital license linked to your Microsoft account. If that doesn’t work, you can try using Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell