If you have latterly upgraded to a new version of Windows or reinstall it on your computer , you may need to come in the product key again on encountering anyactivation error . But if you have lost your physical copy of the product key , it can be frustrating as you wo n’t be able to aerate Windows . In this clause , we will show 3 easy method acting to find your Windows 10 and 11 product key well .
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Digital License vs Product Key: What’s the Difference
A digital licence is a method of activation that is tied to your hardware configuration and is stored on Microsoft activation server . When you instal and spark Windows 10 or 11 on your computer , it creates a digital permit for that specific hardware . you could obtain a digital license by buy from the Microsoft Store , upgrading from the premature version of Windows ( such as Windows 7 or 8) to Windows 10 or a newer version , or using an OEM - installed Windows .
On the other script , a product key is a 25 - characters alphanumeric code that is unremarkably found on a physical written matter of Windows or send off via email when you purchase a digital copy . you could purchase a production key from an authorised retailer or Microsoft site . Also , unlike a digital permission , a product Florida key is not tied to your ironware or Microsoft score . This gives you the flexibility to transfer and use the product headstone on any computer .
Types of Windows Licenses Available
There are several type of Windows permit , including Retailer , OEM , Academic , initiative , and more . Also , each product key or digital license can only trigger off theedition of Windowsfor which it was originally think . For example , you ca n’t expend the Windows 11 Home edition permit key to activate Windows 11 Pro .
1. Find Windows 10/11 Product Key Using the Command Prompt
One of the easiest ways to bump your Windows intersection key is by usingCMD . Here ’s how to do it :
1.press theStartand lookup forCommand Prompt ( CMD ) . Or , you could also pressWindows Key + Sto directly openWindows Search .
2.Open theCommand Promptand enter the belowcommandand then impinge on theEnterkey to view your Windows merchandise key .
Now , copy your Windows product key and save it in a secure positioning to avoid lose it .
remark : CMD wo n’t show any product samara if Windows is not activate .
2. Find Your Windows 10/11 Product Key Using the PowerShell
In case the above method acting did n’t work , you’re able to judge this method . The step to find the product key are similar to that of the Command Prompt . The only difference you would find is the bid used inPowerShell .
Here ’s a step - by - step guide for it :
1.OpenWindows SearchusingWindows Key + Sand searchPowerShell .
2.Next , undetermined theappand insert the belowcommand , and then hit theEnterkey .
That ’s it . Your product key will be display on your screen door . Again , just select the displayed Windows product key using your mouse cursor and copy it .
3. Find Windows 10/11 Product Key Using 3rd Party App
Disclaimer : expend this method only when you have two Windows licenses set up on your data processor . Also , it could bewilder a certificate risk using a 3rd political party app to find out Windows product key .
ordinarily , we do n’t recommend using third party tools to find your Windows mathematical product tonality because of certificate rationality . However , if you own a figurer that come pre - installed with Windows 10 or 11 ( OEM permit ) , and later you added another Windows license ( Retailer license ) , then the only way to see both OEM and Installed licenses is by using 3rd company app called ShowKeyPlus .
Here ’s a step - by - step procedure :
1.Install theShowKeyPlusapp from the Microsoft Store .
2.Next , unresolved theappand the first affair you will see is both your OEM and set up Windows mathematical product key .
Contact Microsoft Support
If the above methods did n’t help you chance your product key , you may try contacting Microsoft support regarding your intersection key or Windows activation issue .
Here ’s how to reach out to the Microsoft support team :
1.PressWindows Key + Ito openSettingsand then navigate toSystem .
2.In the good back breaker , snap onActivation .
3.Next , press theGet helpoption .
4.After that , acontact pagewindow will afford where you could provide all the necessary details and soon someone from the support squad will get back to you .
FAQs
1 . What ’s the difference between Retailer and OEM license ?
A Retailer license is designed for individual who can purchase it from a retail or online stock and can be transferred to any young computer provide your honest-to-goodness Windows PC is no longer in use . Typically , retailer license are more expensive than OEM licenses .
On the other script , OEM permission are provided by personal computer manufacturers and come pre - establish on your laptop computer or PC . The limit of OEM permit is they are interlace to your motherboard . As a result , you ca n’t use your permission to actuate Windows on any other calculator ( non - transferable ) . And since OEM licenses are purchase by manufacturers in bulk , they typically be less than retailer permit .
2 . How many times I can activate Windows using OEM and Retailer licenses ?
There is no such restriction . you may instal and trigger Windows multiple prison term using an OEM or Retailer licence . Just keep in nous that one permit is mean for one computer only . you’re able to not actuate it on multiple computers at the same sentence .
3 . Can I activate Windows without a production key ?
Without the Cartesian product Florida key , you’re able to install and lam Windows on your microcomputer with limited functionalities , but there is no agency you’re able to trigger Windows .
Finding Windows Product Key Is More Easier than Finding Nemo
It can be thwarting when you want to reinstall and activate your Windows , but you ca n’t because you have mislay your product key . Thankfully , Windows allow you easy view your product key , which you could then save to a strong location andcreate a backupcopy in caseful you postulate it in the future tense .