Locating Your Windows 10 Licence Key Step by Step

Have you ever needed to reinstall or activate Windows and asked yourself how to find licence key in Windows 10? Whether you’re an IT manager, cybersecurity specialist, or business owner overseeing multiple workstations, identifying the correct product key—or recognising a digital licence—is critical.

In this article, we’ll explore all the methods to locate your Windows 10 product key, explain what a digital licence means, show how to retrieve it through built-in tools and command lines, and provide best practices for secure key management in enterprise setups.

Why Knowing Your Licence Key Matters

Knowing your Windows 10 licence key—or understanding the licence status—is important for several reasons:

• Reinstallation & recovery: If you rebuild or change hardware, you may need the key to activate Windows.
• Audit & compliance: Organisations must track software licenses to avoid unlicensed usage.
• Migration & hardware changes: Certain licence types tie to hardware; knowing your key helps assess transferability.
• Security management: A lost or compromised licence key can be a risk if unknown devices become activated in your environment.

Given how common upgrades and hardware refresh cycles are in business, being able to answer “how to find licence key in Windows 10” is a valuable operational skill.

Licence Key vs Digital Licence: What’s the Difference?

Windows 10 activation can occur in one of two main ways:

Product Key

This is a 25-character alphanumeric code, typically written as XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. It’s used for retail, OEM boxed copies, or certain volume licences.

Digital Licence (Digital Entitlement)

Introduced in Windows 10, a digital licence means the activation is associated with your Microsoft account or device hardware—so you often don’t need to enter a traditional product key. The system is activated automatically once the hardware is recognised.

When you seek to find your license, you must first determine if you’re dealing with a product key or a digital licence. The method changes accordingly.

Ways to Find Your Licence Key in Windows 10

Below are five reliable methods to locate your Windows 10 licence key. Each caters to different scenarios—retail installs, OEM devices, volume licences, or digital licences.

Method 1: Check Your Microsoft Account or Retail Email

If you purchased Windows online, the product key may reside in your Microsoft account order history or confirmation email. Check these locations first.

Method 2: Command Prompt Retrieval

1. Search for Command Prompt, right-click and select Run as administrator.
2. Enter the command: wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey
3. If a product key is stored in the system firmware (BIOS/UEFI), it will display.

This method is quick and often successful for OEM-shipped devices.

Method 3: PowerShell Method

1. Use Windows PowerShell as an administrator.
2. Run: (Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey
3. If the key is embedded in firmware, it will appear.

Method 4: Registry Inspection

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform
3. Look for the entry BackupProductKeyDefault—it may hold your product key.

Bear in mind: Some entries won’t appear or may show a generic key depending on how Windows was activated.

Method 5: Third-Party Key Finder Software

If built-in methods don’t succeed, you can use trusted utilities (for example, key-finder tools) to scan your system and reveal the key. Use them carefully and from reputable sources.

What to Do if You See No Key (Digital Licence Scenario)

If none of the above methods show a product key, you likely have a digital licence. Here’s how such scenarios typically work:

• The device was upgraded from Windows 7/8 to Windows 10 under Microsoft’s free upgrade offer.
• Windows 10 was pre-installed by the OEM and the licence is embedded in the motherboard.
• A digital purchase via Microsoft Store, where the key is associated with your Microsoft account, not displayed to you.

In these cases:

• Confirm your activation status via Settings → Update & Security → Activation.
• Ensure you’re signed into the same Microsoft account used for purchase or upgrade.
• If you change major hardware (especially the motherboard), you may need to use Activation Troubleshooter to re-link the digital licence.

Best Practices for Licence Key Management in Organisations

For IT managers and notebook fleets, managing Windows 10 licence keys means more than knowing one key—it’s about secure control and tracking.

• Document keys and licences: Maintain a secure inventory of product keys, usage details, and device-tracking links.
• Bind licences to accounts: Use Microsoft accounts for digital licences so reassignment is easier.
• Use MDM/AMS tools: Endpoint management solutions help monitor activation status across devices.
• Store backups securely: Password-protected documents or encrypted vaults for keys reduce risks.
• Plan repairs and reuse: For transferable licences (retail), document when devices are decommissioned and licences reused.
• Audit periodically: Ensure devices in service correspond to licences purchased and no unlicensed installations exist.

Troubleshooting Licence Activation and Key Retrieval

Even when you locate a key or digital licence, you may face activation or retrieval issues. Here are common problems and fixes:

FAQs on Finding Licence Key in Windows 10

1. Can I move my Windows 10 licence to a new PC?

If you have a retail licence, yes—just deactivate on the old PC and activate on the new one. OEM licences are tied to original hardware. Digital licences may require Activation Troubleshooter after hardware changes.

2. Is the product key the same as activation ID?

No. The product key validates your purchase. Activation ID or product ID describes your version of Windows. They serve different purposes.

3. What if I only have a digital licence and not a key?

Ensure you’re signed in with the correct Microsoft account. If your digital licence was linked to hardware, the system should activate automatically. Use Activation Troubleshooter if needed.

4. How can I back up my Windows 10 licence key?

Record it in a secure password manager or encrypted document. Include purchase date, device ID, and licence type (retail/OEM/digital) for easy future reference.

5. Can activation be stolen if someone finds my key?

Yes—if someone uses your key on another PC it may block your activation. Keep keys secure and monitor activation status in enterprise inventories.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to find licence key in Windows 10 is an essential skill for maintenance, audits, and reactivation scenarios. Whether you have a classic product key or a modern digital licence, following the steps outlined here ensures you’re proactive in device and licence management.

For organisations, aligning licence tracking with endpoint management and cybersecurity oversight will reduce risks, ensure compliance, and maximise operational efficiency.

Secure your endpoints and licence management with Xcitium’s comprehensive protection platform—start today