There are several situations in which knowing where to find your Windows 11 Product Key is critical. Perhaps your computer is performing slowly, and you wish to reinstall Windows 11. Alternatively, you may need to transfer the license to a different computer. Whatever the cause, here’s how to find your Windows 11 product key.
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Contents
How to Get Your Windows 11 Product Key
#1. With the Command Prompt (cmd)
Using the Command Prompt is one of the simplest ways to locate your product key. To open the command prompt, press the Windows key on your computer and type cmd. Select the top result from the search results.
You may also use the more recent Windows PowerShell to locate your Windows 11 product key.
Then, paste the following code into the Command Prompt and press Enter:
wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKeyThat will display the original product key that came with your machine, as shown partially below.
#2. Make use of a third-party utility
One method is to utilize a third-party program such as ShowKeyPlus to locate your Windows 11 product key. When you execute the program, it will display your product key as well as additional licensing information, such as:
- Product Name
- Product ID
- The Build Version of the Windows 11
- Installed Key
- OEM KEY
- OEM Edition
Once you’ve gotten your product key, keep it in a safe and easily accessible place.
#3. Use the Volume Licensing Service Center
If you’re operating Windows 11 in a corporate setting with a volume license for versions like Pro or Enterprise, licensing works a little differently. Administrators set up Key Management Service (KMS) servers to monitor and handle massive amounts of licenses. KMS servers are designed to help manage connectivity to Microsoft for license activation. You can access the Volume License Service Center site as an administrator using your company credentials. To find the product key, go to Licenses > Key.
Microsoft offers a one-time transfer privilege. If you happen to lose your product key, Microsoft doesn’t offer much help. You may need to purchase a new key to reactivate your PC running Windows 11. If you’ve linked your Windows license to a Microsoft account, you don’t need to know your key to activate your PC; just sign in with your account.