How to find Windows Product Key using Command Prompt or PowerShell

To find your Windows product key with Command Prompt, run slmgr /dli; in PowerShell, query the SoftwareLicensingProduct class for PartialProductKey, and both show the last five characters of the installed key.

This guide covers both commands, what a partial key tells you, why the full 25-character key is often not on the PC at all, and where to find it instead.

How to find Windows 11/10 product key using Command Prompt

The built-in slmgr licensing script reads the key Windows is using right now. It works on Windows 11 and Windows 10 and does not need administrator rights.

1. Select Start, type cmd and select Command Prompt.
2. Type slmgr /dli and press Enter.
3. Wait for the Windows Script Host window to open.
4. Read the line Partial Product Key: these are the last five characters of the installed key.
5. Read Name and Description to see the edition and the key channel, such as RETAIL or OEM.
6. Select OK to close the window.

To print the same details inside the console instead of a pop-up, run cscript %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /dli.

Windows does not display the full 25-character key through any Microsoft-documented command. The partial key is enough to match the installed key against a sticker, card or email.

What kind of Windows license do you have?

Windows 10 and Windows 11 activate with either a 25-character product key or a digital license. Which one you have decides where the key can be found.

How you got Windows	License type	Where the key is
New PC with Windows preinstalled	Product key, usually in firmware	Packaging, Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label, or the PC maker
Boxed copy from a retailer	Product key	Label or card inside the box
Digital copy from a retailer	Product key	Confirmation email or the retailer's digital locker
Digital copy from the Microsoft online store	Product key	Confirmation email and your Microsoft account Order history
Free upgrade from Windows 7, 8.1 or 10	Digital license	No key; the license is tied to the hardware
Pro upgrade bought in the Microsoft Store app	Digital license	No key; confirmation email names the account that holds the license
Volume Licensing or MSDN subscription	Product key	Your program's web portal

Accessing Command Prompt and PowerShell

Every command in this guide runs in a normal window. Only the registry clean-up option slmgr /cpky needs an elevated window. You can also open Command Prompt in Windows 11 from File Explorer or Run.

Tool	How to open it	Run as administrator
Command Prompt	Select Start, type cmd, select Command Prompt	Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator
Windows PowerShell	Select Start, type powershell, select Windows PowerShell	Right-click it and select Run as administrator
Terminal	Right-click Start and select Terminal	Right-click Start and select Terminal (Admin)
Run box	Press Win + R, type cmd or powershell, press Enter	Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter instead of Enter

Get Windows 11/10 license key using PowerShell

PowerShell reads the same licensing data through the SoftwareLicensingProduct WMI class. Its PartialProductKey property holds the last five characters of the key and is empty when no key is installed.

1. Right-click Start and select Terminal or Windows PowerShell.
2. Type Get-CimInstance -ClassName SoftwareLicensingProduct -Filter "PartialProductKey IS NOT NULL" | Select-Object Name, Description, PartialProductKey, LicenseStatus and press Enter.
3. Find the row whose Name starts with Windows.
4. Read PartialProductKey for the last five characters of the installed key.
5. Read LicenseStatus: 1 means Licensed, 0 means Unlicensed.

Other LicenseStatus values are 2 (OOBGrace), 3 (OOTGrace), 4 (NonGenuineGrace), 5 (Notification) and 6 (ExtendedGrace).

Older scripts call wmic for the same job. WMIC is deprecated, and since August 2026 Windows 11, versions 24H2 and 25H2 no longer include it, so use the PowerShell command instead.

Find the last five characters of the installed product key

Use this when you need to confirm which of several keys a PC is actually using, for example after a reinstall or an edition change.

slmgr /dlv

Displays detailed license information for the installed Windows edition, including Partial Product Key, Activation ID, Product Key Channel and License Status. Add all to list every installed license.

You should see: A Windows Script Host window lists your edition with a Partial Product Key of five characters and License Status: Licensed.

Understanding Windows product keys

A product key is a 25-character code in the format XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. The key type changes what the commands above can show you.

Key type	Who uses it	What the commands show
Retail	Boxed or digital copies bought from a retailer or Microsoft	Partial key and the RETAIL channel
OEM (firmware key)	PCs sold with Windows preinstalled	Partial key; the full key sits in the firmware's MSDM table
MAK (Multiple Activation Key)	Volume Licensing customers	Partial key; the key is not kept in the registry
KMS client key (GVLK)	Organisations with a KMS host	Partial key of a public generic key, not a personal one
Digital license	Free upgrades and Microsoft Store purchases	Often a default key, because the license is tied to the hardware

Why you may need to find your product key

Situation	Do you need the key?	What to do
Reinstalling the same edition on the same PC	Usually not	Select I don't have a product key during setup; Windows reactivates from its digital license or firmware key
Moving a retail copy to a new PC	Yes	Use the key from the box, card or confirmation email
Replacing the motherboard	Often	Use the Activation troubleshooter with a linked Microsoft account, or a new key
Upgrading Home to Pro	Yes, a Pro key	Enter it under Settings > System > Activation > Change product key
Auditing which key a PC uses	Partial key is enough	Run slmgr /dli and compare the last five characters

Check your Windows activation status

Check activation before you go looking for a key. If Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account, you may never need the key.

1. Select Start > Settings.
2. On Windows 11, select System > Activation. On Windows 10, select Update & Security > Activation.
3. Read the message next to Activation status.
4. If it says Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account, your license is safe for reinstalls and hardware changes.
5. If the account is not linked, select Add an account and sign in with your Microsoft account.

From the command line, slmgr /xpr shows whether the installed edition is permanently activated. You can also check whether Windows is activated and enter a new key from the same page.

Check whether Windows has a product key in the registry

Some installations keep a copy of the product key in the registry so servicing tasks can read it during setup. Microsoft documents slmgr /cpky as the way to remove it, so malicious code cannot steal it.

1. Run slmgr /dli and note the Product Key Channel.
2. If the channel is MAK or the PC is a KMS host, the key is already cleared from the registry by default.
3. For a retail key you deployed yourself, open Command Prompt as administrator.
4. Type slmgr /cpky and press Enter to remove the stored copy.
5. Run slmgr /dli again; activation is unaffected and the partial key still shows.

Reading the registry directly does not reveal a usable key on most PCs, so keep the original card, sticker or email as your record.

Understand generic Windows product keys

A generic key installs a specific edition but does not activate it on its own. If slmgr /dli shows a partial key you do not recognise, it is often one of these.

Generic key	Purpose	Activates Windows?
Default product key	Tells Windows to look for the OEM key injected in the firmware	Yes, through the firmware key or digital license
Generic Volume License Key (GVLK)	KMS client key published by Microsoft for each edition	Only against your organisation's KMS host
Edition key used on a digital-license PC	Installs the right edition after a free upgrade	Yes, through the digital license tied to the hardware

This is why the partial key on an upgraded PC rarely matches an old Windows 7 or 8.1 sticker.

How to find your product key from purchase records

1. For a new PC, check the packaging and the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label on the PC or its box.
2. For a boxed copy, look on the label or card inside the box.
3. For a digital copy from a retailer, search your email for the order confirmation or open the retailer's digital locker.
4. For a copy bought from the Microsoft online store, sign in to your Microsoft account and open Order history.
5. For Volume Licensing or MSDN, sign in to your program's web portal.
6. Match the last five characters against slmgr /dli to confirm you have the right key.

Microsoft keeps a record of product keys only for purchases from its online store. Office keys are stored differently, so find an installed Office product key with its own steps.

How to reinstall Windows when you do not have a product key

1. Confirm under Settings > System > Activation that Windows is activated and your Microsoft account is linked.
2. Create installation media for the same edition you have now.
3. Start setup and, at the product key screen, select I don't have a product key.
4. Choose the same edition that was activated, such as Home or Pro.
5. Finish setup, connect to the internet and sign in with your Microsoft account.
6. Open Settings > System > Activation to confirm Windows activated automatically.

On an OEM PC, setup reads the key from the firmware, so the same steps apply even without a linked account.

Best commands to use: quick reference

Command	Shell	What it shows	Admin needed?
slmgr /dli	Command Prompt or PowerShell	Edition, partial key, license status	No
slmgr /dlv	Command Prompt or PowerShell	Detailed license data with Activation ID	No
slmgr /xpr	Command Prompt or PowerShell	Activation expiry, or permanent activation	No
cscript %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /dli	Command Prompt	Same as /dli, printed in the console	No
Get-CimInstance -ClassName SoftwareLicensingProduct ...	PowerShell	Name, PartialProductKey, LicenseStatus	No
slmgr /cpky	Command Prompt (admin)	Removes the stored key from the registry	Yes

For other everyday commands, keep a list of Command Prompt commands handy.

Confirm the key you found is the one Windows uses

1. Run slmgr /dli and write down the five characters after Partial Product Key.
2. Compare them with the last block of the key on your sticker, card or email.
3. If they match, that key is the one installed on this PC.
4. If they differ, Windows is using a different key, often a default key backed by a digital license.
5. Open Settings > System > Activation and confirm the status starts with Windows is activated.

What to do if the product key is not found

The PowerShell command returns no Windows row

No product key is installed, so PartialProductKey is empty and the filter hides the row.

1. Open Settings > System > Activation and read the status.
2. If it says Windows is not activated, select Change product key and enter your key, or buy a license from the Microsoft Store link on the same page.

Error 0xC004F213: Windows reported that no product key was found on your device

A significant hardware change, such as a new motherboard, stopped Windows from finding a matching license.

1. Sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your digital license.
2. Open Settings > System > Activation and select Troubleshoot.
3. If no linked license exists, enter a new product key.

Error 0xC004C003 in Windows 11

The key you entered is not valid, often because it was used on more than one device.

1. Enter a different, unused key under Change product key.
2. If the key came from a reseller, contact that reseller.
3. If the PC came with Windows 11 and showed this error on first start, contact the PC maker.

The partial key does not match your sticker

Windows is activated by a digital license or the firmware key and installed a default key.

1. Confirm activation under Settings > System > Activation.
2. Keep the sticker as proof of purchase; no action is needed while Windows shows as activated.

Troubleshooting common command errors

'wmic' is not recognized as an internal or external command

WMIC is deprecated and removed from Windows 11, versions 24H2 and 25H2.

1. Use the Get-CimInstance -ClassName SoftwareLicensingProduct command in PowerShell instead.
2. Or run slmgr /dli in Command Prompt.

slmgr /cpky fails with an access error

The option must run in an elevated window.

1. Close the window.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
3. Run slmgr /cpky again.

Nothing prints in the console after slmgr

slmgr shows its results in a separate Windows Script Host window by default.

1. Check the taskbar for the Windows Script Host window.
2. To print in the console, run cscript %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /dli.

How to save your product key safely

Additional tips for managing your product key come down to keeping one trusted record and limiting who can read it.

1. Link your Microsoft account under Settings > System > Activation > Add an account.
2. Photograph the COA label or key card and store the image in a password manager or encrypted vault.
3. Keep the order confirmation email in a labelled folder.
4. Note the edition with the key, because a Pro key will not activate Home.
5. Never post the full key in a screenshot, forum or support chat.
6. After deploying a retail key, run slmgr /cpky as administrator to clear the stored copy.

Using third-party tools to retrieve your product key

Key-finder programs read the same licensing data and registry entries as the built-in commands. On digital-license PCs they typically return a default key that cannot be reused elsewhere.

Security and legal notes: a product key is licensed for one device, keys sold cheaply by unauthorised sellers are often blocked, and a shared key can be marked invalid with error 0xC004C003.

Use slmgr /dli or the PowerShell query instead of a third-party key finder. The built-in commands come with Windows, need no download, and give the partial key needed to match your purchase record, while the full key is safest kept on the original card or email.

Windows product key command FAQ

How do I find my Windows product key with CMD?

Open Command Prompt, type slmgr /dli and press Enter. The Windows Script Host window shows the edition and the last five characters of the installed key under Partial Product Key. No administrator rights are needed.

How do I find my Windows product key with PowerShell?

Run Get-CimInstance -ClassName SoftwareLicensingProduct -Filter "PartialProductKey IS NOT NULL" and select Name and PartialProductKey. The Windows row shows the last five characters of the installed key and its LicenseStatus.

Can I find my full Windows product key on my PC?

Usually not through a Microsoft-documented command. Windows shows only the last five characters. The full key is on the COA label, the key card, your confirmation email or, on OEM PCs, in the firmware where setup reads it automatically.

Can I find the Windows product key in the BIOS?

On PCs sold with Windows preinstalled, the maker injects the key into the firmware's MSDM table. Windows setup reads it automatically during a reinstall, so you do not need to type it in.

Where do I find my Windows product key on Windows 11?

Check the packaging, the COA label or the order confirmation email. If you upgraded free from Windows 10 or bought from the Microsoft Store app, you have a digital license instead of a product key.

Where do I find my Windows product key on Windows 10?

The same places as Windows 11: the box or card for retail copies, the COA label for preinstalled PCs, and the confirmation email for digital purchases. Free upgrades from Windows 7 or 8.1 use a digital license.

Can I find my Windows product key on my Microsoft account?

Only if you bought Windows from the Microsoft online store. Sign in and open Order history. Digital licenses from upgrades are linked to the account, but no key is shown.

Can I find the Windows product key in the registry?

Not in a usable form on most PCs. Some retail installations keep a stored copy for setup, which slmgr /cpky removes. MAK and KMS host keys are cleared from the registry by default.

How do I know if my Windows product key is genuine?

Open Settings > System > Activation. A status starting with Windows is activated means the installed key or digital license is valid. Keys sold by unauthorised sellers often fail with error 0xC004C003.

What if I can't find my Windows product key?

If Windows is activated with a digital license, you do not need it to reinstall. Otherwise, contact the PC maker for preinstalled copies, the retailer for retail copies, or buy a new license from Settings > System > Activation.

Should you use Command Prompt or PowerShell to find the key?

Run slmgr /dli for a quick check and use the PowerShell query when you need the result in a script or console. Both read the same licensing data and show the same five characters, and neither depends on WMIC, which newer Windows 11 versions no longer include.