Your Windows 11 product key is essential for confirming that your operating system is genuine and hasn't been installed on more devices than permitted by Microsoft's licensing terms. If you've misplaced your product key, don't worry. There are several methods to retrieve it directly from your computer. This guide will show you the most effective ways to find your Windows 11 product key.

Recover your Windows 11 product key using Windows PowerShell

  1. Open the Start menu and type PowerShell in the search bar. Right-click on 'Windows PowerShell' in the search results and select 'Run as administrator'.
  1. In the PowerShell window, paste the following command and press Enter:
powershell "(Get-WmiObject -query ‘select * from SoftwareLicensingService’).OA3xOriginalProductKey"

After executing the command, your product key will be displayed in the PowerShell window. Be sure to store it somewhere safe for future reference.

Note: This method will only work if Windows was activated using a product key. If you used a digital license to activate Windows, the product key may not be retrieved using this method.

Find your Windows 11 product key using the Command Prompt

  1. Open the Start menu and type Command Prompt or CMD. Click on 'Command Prompt' from the search results.
  1. In the Command Prompt window, enter the following command and press Enter:

Once you run the command, your product key will appear in the Command Prompt window. Make sure to save it securely for future use.

Note: This method will only display your product key if you activated Windows using a product key. If you have a digital license, this method may not retrieve your key.

Find your Windows 11 product key via the Registry Editor

  1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  1. In the Registry Editor window, navigate to the following path by copying and pasting it into the address bar and pressing Enter:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform

In the right pane, look for the entry named BackupProductKeyDefault. Your product key will be listed under the 'Data' column for this entry. Be sure to note it down and keep it in a safe place.

Use third-party software to find your Windows 11 product key

If you prefer an automated method, you can use third-party applications that will retrieve your product key for you. There are several reliable programs available for this purpose.

ShowKeyPlus and Windows 10 OEM Product Key Tool are two such tools that can help you find your Windows 11 product key easily. Simply download the software from their respective websites and run the application. It will display your product key without the need for any manual commands.

By using these methods, you can quickly retrieve your Windows 11 product key and ensure you have it on hand when needed.