Finding your Windows 11 product key is a breeze! This key acts like a unique fingerprint, ensuring your operating system is genuine. Whether you built your own PC or purchased a pre-built machine, this guide will show you exactly how to locate your key in a few simple steps.
What Exactly is a Windows Product Key?
Think of a product key as a secret code that verifies your Windows 11 is authentic. When you activate Windows, this code gets sent to Microsoft, who checks it against their records. If the code is valid, Windows becomes fully activated.
There are two main types of product keys:
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) key: This comes pre-installed on PCs you buy with Windows already set up.
Retail key: This is for tech-savvy users who build their own PCs or want a specific Windows 11 version.
No matter what type of key you have, it'll always be 25 characters long, mixing uppercase letters and numbers.
Discovering Your OEM Key with Command Prompt
If you have an OEM license (meaning your computer came with Windows pre-installed), then Command Prompt is your key finder! Here's how:
Click the Start button and type "command prompt" or "cmd" in the search bar. Press Enter.
In the black window that pops up, type this command: wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey (be sure to copy and paste it exactly).
If successful, a string of letters and numbers will appear below the command. That's your product key!
Note: If you purchased a retail license and installed it on a pre-built PC, this method likely won't work. Move on to the next section!
Unveiling Your Retail Key with ShowKeyPlus
For those who purchased and installed Windows themselves, a free app called ShowKeyPlus comes to the rescue. Here's how to find your key with it:
Click the Start button and type "Microsoft Store" in the search bar. Press Enter to open the store.
Once the Store is open, search for "ShowKeyPlus" and hit Enter.
Click "Install" on the ShowKeyPlus app page. Once installed, the button will change to "Open." Click "Open" to launch the app.
ShowKeyPlus will display two keys: the currently installed key (in green) and the OEM key (in blue).
If you're using an OEM version of Windows 11, both boxes will show the same key.
If you installed your own retail copy, the green box will display your product key.
Important Note: Keep your product key safe and don't share it online! Retail licenses can be used on multiple devices (but not at the same time), so someone might try to steal your key to activate their Windows.
Now that you've found your key, you can write it down or save it securely on your computer. With this key, you can reinstall Windows in the future if needed. However, if your PC came with Windows pre-installed (OEM key), you likely won't need the key again. These keys are linked to your specific hardware and Windows will automatically detect them during installation.
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