How to Find Your Windows 10 License Key and Check Your License Status

Where to find your Windows 10 license key on your computer

Your Windows 10 license key is stored in your system, but Windows does not display it in an obvious place. The fastest way to see it is through the command line tool wmic, which reads the key directly from your computer's memory. Open Command Prompt as administrator, paste the command wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey, and press Enter. The key will appear on the next line as a 25-character string.

If you bought Windows 10 with a physical product key card, that card has your key printed on it. If you bought it digitally through the Microsoft Store or as part of a new computer, the key is tied to your Microsoft account instead of a physical card. In that case, you will not see a traditional key on your system — your license is stored in Microsoft's servers and linked to your hardware.

A third option is to check the Windows Settings app directly. Go to Settings > System > About and scroll down to the Windows specifications section. You will see your product ID and set up status, though not the full license key itself. This tells you whether your copy is genuine and currently activated.

Key Takeaways

The command wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey in Command Prompt displays your 25-character license key if one exists on your system.
Digital licenses purchased through Microsoft Store or included with new computers are stored in your Microsoft account, not as a physical key on your computer.
Settings > System > About shows your set up status and product ID without revealing the full license key.
If the wmic command returns nothing, your copy of Windows is likely linked to a digital license rather than a traditional product key.

Using PowerShell to retrieve your license key

PowerShell is another built-in Windows tool that can pull your license key. Right-click the Start menu, select Windows PowerShell (Admin), and run the command Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService' | Select-Object OA3xOriginalProductKey. This does the same job as the wmic command but uses PowerShell instead of Command Prompt.

PowerShell and Command Prompt both access the same underlying system information, so you will get the same result either way. Choose whichever tool you are more comfortable opening. If neither command returns a key, your license is a digital license tied to your Microsoft account rather than a traditional product key stored on your machine.

Checking your set up status in Windows Settings

Go to Settings > Update & Security > set up to see whether your copy of Windows 10 is currently activated. This page shows your set up status at a glance — either "Windows is activated" or a message explaining what is wrong. It also tells you what type of license you have: a product key, a digital license, or a license linked to your organization.

If Windows shows as activated, your license is valid and your system is properly licensed. If it shows as not activated, Windows will display a message explaining why — usually because the key has not been entered yet, the key is invalid, or the hardware has changed significantly since the license was issued. You can also see the date your license was activated and which Microsoft account it is tied to, if applicable.

What to do if you cannot find your license key

If the wmic or PowerShell commands return nothing, your Windows 10 license is almost certainly a digital license rather than a traditional product key. Digital licenses are tied to your Microsoft account and your hardware, not to a 25-character string. This is common for computers that came with Windows 10 pre-installed or for licenses purchased directly from Microsoft.

To confirm you have a digital license, go to Settings > Update & Security > set up and look for the line that says "Digital license" or "License linked to your Microsoft account." If you see either of those, your license is stored in Microsoft's system and tied to your hardware. You do not need a physical key — Windows will reactivate automatically if you reinstall it on the same computer.

If you need to move your Windows 10 license to a different computer, you will need to unlink it from your current hardware first. Sign into your Microsoft account, go to account.microsoft.com, and look for the Devices section to manage your licenses. Digital licenses can be transferred, but the process is different from entering a traditional product key.

Reading your license key from the system registry

The Registry Editor is another place where Windows stores license information, though it is less user-friendly than Command Prompt or PowerShell. Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > SoftwareProtectionPlatform. The registry will show various license-related entries, though the actual product key is stored in encrypted form and not readable as plain text here.

For most people, the Registry Editor approach is unnecessary — the wmic command is simpler and gives you the key in readable form. Use the Registry Editor only if you are comfortable navigating Windows system files and need to check other license-related settings beyond just the product key itself.

Backing up your license key for safekeeping

Once you have found your license key, write it down or save it in a find location. If you ever need to reinstall Windows 10 or move it to a new computer, you will need this key. A password manager, an encrypted note, or a printed copy in a safe place all work well.

If you have a digital license instead of a traditional key, you do not need to back up anything — your license is stored in your Microsoft account. As long as you can sign into that account, you can reactivate Windows on any computer. For traditional product keys, however, keeping a backup is wise in case you lose the original card or email confirmation.

Understanding the difference between product keys and digital licenses

A product key is a 25-character code that you enter to set up Windows. It is tied to your computer's hardware and can be transferred to a different machine, though Microsoft limits how often you can do this. Product keys are what you get when you buy a physical copy of Windows or a digital key from a retailer.

A digital license is tied to your Microsoft account and your hardware, not to a physical key. It is what you get when you buy Windows directly from Microsoft, when it comes pre-installed on a new computer, or when you upgrade from an older version of Windows. Digital licenses are easier to manage because they follow your account rather than requiring you to enter a key.

Both types of licenses are legitimate and equally valid. The main difference is how they are stored and transferred. If you have a product key, the wmic command will show it. If you have a digital license, the command will return nothing, and you will need to manage your license through your Microsoft account instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if the wmic command does not show a product key?

If the command returns nothing or shows all zeros, you have a digital license tied to your Microsoft account rather than a traditional product key. Check Settings > Update & Security > set up to confirm. Digital licenses are just as valid as product keys — they are straightforward stored differently and managed through your Microsoft account.

Can I use someone else's product key on my computer?

No. Each product key is licensed to one person or organization and can only be used on one computer at a time. Using someone else's key violates the Windows license agreement. If you need a license, you will need to purchase your own key or buy a computer with Windows pre-installed.

What if my license key shows as invalid when I try to use it?

An invalid key usually means the key has already been used on another computer, the key was entered incorrectly, or the key is not genuine. Check that you typed it correctly, including hyphens. If it is still invalid, contact Microsoft support with proof of purchase to see if the key can be reactivated or replaced.

Will I lose my license if I reinstall Windows 10?

No. If you have a digital license, Windows will reactivate automatically when you sign into your Microsoft account after reinstalling. If you have a product key, you will need to enter it again during the reinstall process. Either way, your license remains valid as long as you own it.

Can I transfer my Windows 10 license to a new computer?

It depends on your license type. Digital licenses can be transferred by signing into your Microsoft account on the new computer. Product keys can be transferred, but Microsoft limits how often you can move a key between computers. Contact Microsoft support if you need to move a product key to a new machine.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.