Find Lost Windows or Office Product Keys - Easy Guide
Recovering Lost Windows and Office Product Keys
Finding a lost product key for Windows or Office can be frustrating. Fortunately, several methods exist to retrieve it, ensuring a smooth reinstallation process.
Utilizing Third-Party Software
One of the most effective approaches involves employing specialized software. Programs like Nirsoft's Produkey and ShowKeyPlus are designed to locate and display stored product keys.
These tools simplify the process, offering a user-friendly interface to access information that would otherwise be difficult to obtain.
Checking Physical Locations
Don't overlook the possibility of a physical record. Many PCs and original software packaging include a sticker containing the product key.
Inspect your computer case or the box your Windows or Office software came in for this valuable information.
The Windows Registry as a Storage Location
When you reinstall Windows, your product key isn’t necessarily lost. It is securely stored within the Windows Registry.
However, accessing this information directly is complex and requires specialized tools. Directly reading the registry without assistance is generally not feasible for most users.
Thankfully, resources are available to help you navigate this process and recover your key.
Locating Your Windows Product Key Within the Registry
As illustrated in the image above, the Windows product key is held within the system registry. However, it’s stored in a binary format, rendering it unreadable to the average user – unless one possesses the capabilities of a Cylon.
The Purpose of Obfuscation
The rationale behind Microsoft’s decision to obscure the visibility of product keys remains unclear. Despite being present within the registry, direct human readability is prevented. It's noteworthy that specialized software can access this information.
A likely motivation is to discourage the reuse of product keys from previously used computers.
Key Recovery Options
Even in scenarios where a computer fails to boot, product key recovery is often possible. Access to the disk drive from a functioning computer is the primary requirement.
Further instructions on how to accomplish this are provided below.
Important Note: While the key is stored in the registry, accessing it directly requires specialized tools due to its binary encoding.
Understanding the Registry Storage
- The product key isn't stored as plain text.
- It's encoded in a binary format for security reasons.
- Software utilities are necessary to decode and display the key.
Locating Your Windows Product Key 
Your Windows product key can typically be found in one of three distinct locations.
- Key Stored Within PC Software: During the initial Windows installation, whether performed by you or the PC manufacturer, the product key is often saved directly within the system registry.
- This key can then be retrieved and utilized during a Windows reinstallation process.
- It’s vital to extract this key before formatting your hard drive, as the reformatting process may erase it.
- Printed on a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) Sticker: Certain PCs employ a technology known as System Locked Pre-installation (SLP).
- If your system utilizes SLP, the key displayed by key-viewer applications and stored in the registry will differ from the actual, required key.
- The genuine key is located on a COA sticker affixed to the PC itself or its power supply unit.
- This was a prevalent method for Windows 7 installations.
- Integrated into UEFI Firmware: Modern PCs shipping with Windows 8, Windows 10, or Windows 11 frequently utilize a different approach.
- The Windows product key is embedded directly into the computer’s Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) or Basic Input/Output System (BIOS).
- In these cases, manual key entry is often unnecessary, as Windows should automatically activate upon installation, provided you are installing the same edition it originally came with.
Important Considerations
Ensure that the version and edition of Windows you install match the original version that came pre-installed on your computer.
For example, if your PC originally shipped with Windows 11 Home, attempting to install Windows 11 Professional will not be permitted.
Locating Your Windows 10 or Windows 11 Product Key Within the UEFI
For many contemporary Windows 10 and Windows 11 installations, the product key is no longer stored in a manner susceptible to accidental deletion or physical damage. It isn’t saved within the operating system itself, nor is it affixed to a sticker prone to wear or removal. This enhances security by preventing easy key theft.
Instead, the key is directly embedded within the computer’s UEFI firmware, or BIOS, by the original equipment manufacturer. This ensures the key remains persistently linked to the hardware.
Typically, no manual intervention is required in this scenario. Reinstalling the same version of Windows that originally came with the PC should automatically activate without prompting for a key. However, proactively locating and recording the key is still advisable as a precautionary measure before undertaking a Windows reinstallation.
To retrieve the UEFI-embedded key, begin by opening the Start menu. Then, type "powershell" into the search field and launch the resulting Powershell application.
Once Powershell is open, input the following command and press the Enter key:
(Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey
Upon successful execution, your embedded license key will be displayed. It is highly recommended to carefully record this key and store it securely for future reference.
For illustrative purposes, our product key has been obscured. You will observe a key formatted similarly to this example: A23BC-GHN23-NBK32-VNS98-JKLOL
Locating Your Windows 10 or Windows 11 Product Key with ProduKey
Utilizing NirSoft's ProduKey may trigger alerts from your antivirus software due to its operational methods. However, it is important to note that this application is not malicious.
For users seeking an alternative that minimizes antivirus interference, ShowKeyPlus provides a viable solution compatible with both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Effortless Product Key Retrieval
Employing a third-party utility represents the most straightforward approach to accessing your product key, and NirSoft consistently delivers exceptional tools in this regard. Their software is renowned for being free of unwanted additions and offering genuine utility.
The primary consideration with ProduKey is the potential for false positives from some antivirus programs, as malicious software may attempt to compromise product keys.
The process is remarkably simple: download ProduKey, extract its contents, and execute the application to instantly view all stored product keys.
Recovering Keys from Inoperative Systems
Product key recovery is also possible from a computer that is no longer functioning. Connect the hard drive from the non-operational machine to a working PC.
Then, launch ProduKey and navigate to File > Select Source to specify the Windows directory on the external drive. This allows for easy retrieval of the keys.
Alternatively, a Linux live CD can be utilized to copy the Windows directory to a USB drive, or to extract the relevant registry files. A guide on data recovery from a dead computer is available for further assistance.
Retrieving Your Windows 10 or 11 Product Key with ShowKeyPlus
While Nirsoft's utility is functional, it can sometimes prompt alerts from your antivirus software or even your web browser. For a streamlined experience, ShowKeyPlus presents a viable alternative.
This application is readily accessible directly through the Microsoft Store for both Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems.
Installation Process
Launch the Microsoft Store application on your computer. Then, search for ShowKeyPlus and initiate the installation by clicking the "Install" button.
The download and installation process is typically swift, as the program has a small file size.
Once the installation is complete, select "Open" to launch the application. Your system's product keys will then be displayed on the screen.
Understanding Key Types
It’s crucial to understand that both an installed key and an OEM key may be present. An OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) key is intrinsically linked to the hardware of your device.
If you are using a pre-configured desktop computer or a laptop, the OEM key and the installed key will generally be identical, unless you have independently acquired a separate Windows license.
Should you have purchased and installed a distinct Windows license for a pre-built machine, a laptop, or a custom-built computer, ensure you record the installed key, rather than the OEM key.
OEM keys are often subject to greater limitations compared to retail keys; therefore, avoiding the accidental use of the incorrect key is essential.
Retrieve Your Windows 10 or Windows 11 Product Key Using a Script
If utilizing a third-party application to locate your product key isn't preferred, a Visual Basic Script (VBS) offers an alternative method.
The script provided below should be copied and pasted into a new Notepad document. Subsequently, navigate to File > Save As, select "All Files" as the file type, and assign a name such as "Product Key Script.vbs" before saving.
Option Explicit
Dim objshell,path,DigitalID, ResultSet
objshell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
'Set registry key path
Path = "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\"
'Registry key value
DigitalID = objshell.RegRead(Path & "DigitalProductId")
Dim ProductName,ProductID,ProductKey,ProductData
'Get ProductName, ProductID, ProductKey
ProductName = "Product Name: " & objshell.RegRead(Path & "ProductName")
ProductID = "Product ID: " & objshell.RegRead(Path & "ProductID")
ProductKey = "Installed Key: " & ConvertToKey(DigitalID)
ProductData = ProductName & vbNewLine & ProductID & vbNewLine & ProductKey
Show messbox if save to a file
If vbYes = MsgBox(ProductData & vblf & vblf & "Save to a file?", vbYesNo + vbQuestion, "BackUp Windows Key Information") then
Save ProductData
End If
'Convert binary to chars
Function ConvertToKey(Key)
Const KeyOffset = 52
Dim isWin8, Maps, i, j, Current, KeyOutput, Last, keypart1, insert
'Check if OS is Windows 8
isWin8 = (Key(66) \ 6) And 1
Key(66) = (Key(66) And &HF7) Or ((isWin8 And 2) * 4)
i = 24
Maps = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
Do
Current= 0
j = 14
Do
Current = Current* 256
Current = Key(j + KeyOffset) + Current
Key(j + KeyOffset) = (Current \ 24)
Current=Current Mod 24
j = j -1
Loop While j >= 0
i = i -1
KeyOutput = Mid(Maps,Current+ 1, 1) & KeyOutput
Last = Current
Loop While i >= 0
If (isWin8 = 1) Then
keypart1 = Mid(KeyOutput, 2, Last)
insert = "N"
KeyOutput = Replace(KeyOutput, keypart1, keypart1 & insert, 2, 1, 0)
If Last = 0 Then KeyOutput = insert & KeyOutput
End If
ConvertToKey = Mid(KeyOutput, 1, 5) & "-" & Mid(KeyOutput, 6, 5) & "-" & Mid(KeyOutput, 11, 5) & "-" & Mid(KeyOutput, 16, 5) & "-" & Mid(KeyOutput, 21, 5)
End Function
'Save data to a file
Function Save(Data)
Dim fso, fName, txt,objshell,UserName
Set objshell = CreateObject("wscript.shell")
'Get current user name
UserName = objshell.ExpandEnvironmentStrings("%UserName%")
'Create a text file on desktop
fName = "C:\Users\" & UserName & "\Desktop\WindowsKeyInfo.txt"
Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
Set txt = fso.CreateTextFile(fName)
txt.Writeline Data
txt.Close
End FunctionExecuting the VBS script by double-clicking it will generate a small window displaying your Windows product key. The script also provides the option to save this key as a text file for future reference.
Locating the Product Key on the Certificate of Authenticity
For PCs originating from the Windows 7 era, it’s probable that a single product key was utilized by the manufacturer across multiple devices. Due to the implementation of "System Locked Pre-installation," this key is often restricted from being used for independent Windows installations.
Attempting to install Windows with such a key will typically result in error notifications indicating its invalidity. Therefore, verifying the key is crucial.
The initial step involves locating the certificate of authenticity sticker affixed to your computer. This sticker serves as verification that the computer was originally shipped with a genuine copy of Windows.
Crucially, the sticker also contains the product key necessary for reinstalling Windows. In cases where the manufacturer employed System Locked Pre-installation, this key differs from the one initially embedded within the PC’s software.
Finding the Key's Location
Begin by carefully inspecting your computer to uncover the key. On laptops, the sticker is frequently found on the underside of the device.
If your laptop features a removable battery, check the area beneath it. Additionally, examine any accessible compartments or even the laptop’s power adapter.
For desktop computers, the sticker is commonly located on the side panel of the case. If it’s not there, thoroughly check the top, back, and bottom surfaces for its presence.
- Check under the battery (if removable).
- Inspect any accessible compartments.
- Examine the power adapter.
- Look on all sides of the desktop case.
If the product key has become worn or illegible on the sticker, recovery options are limited. Contacting the computer manufacturer to explain the situation is possible, though assistance isn't guaranteed.
Microsoft, however, offers the option to purchase a new product key.
The complexities surrounding the product key system stem from Microsoft’s preference for users to utilize the recovery media provided by their computer manufacturer. This is because Microsoft doesn’t actively encourage typical users to reinstall Windows independently.
However, manufacturer recovery media often includes unwanted bloatware. This is a primary reason why many experienced users prefer to perform a clean Windows installation on new PCs.
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