Hello! Surely, you have ever wanted to know the key number of Windows 10. In fact, it can happen that you install and then upgrade to a higher edition. This is just happening with the upgrade to Windows 10. In addition, this key number is usually written on a sticker attached to the computer. So, if you want to get this key, you are in the right post. Occasionally, this key number or serial number is required. Specifically, when upgrading the system to a higher version. Likewise, when we do a clean installation. This action allows enjoying a legal and registered system. Read on to learn how to get Windows 10 key.
Benefits of having a legally activated Windows 10 system
Having a license means being able to access a certain software legally. Certainly, there are limitations corresponding to the type of license used. When registering a license, we do so by associating a certain code or number to perform the activation. Generally, a key or license is limited to the use of only one computer at a time. However, there are multi-device licenses that work for this purpose.
However, the problem arises when we cannot access this serial. Consequently, by not registering the system, we lose vital functions and support for the equipment. As you can see, it is very important to have the system key number. It doesn’t matter if it is the original one from the equipment, or another one that you have acquired later. Otherwise, the system will be exposed to the limitations shown below
Windows 10 limitations without activation
- Inability to customize the system:If we do not activate Windows 10 we will not be able to set customization settings. For example, themes, wallpapers or screensavers.
- Watermark: This situation generates an annoying watermark message in the lower-right corner of the screen. This message reminds us that Windows is not activated.
- Lack of warranty: A Windows system without activation has no technical support or warranty.
How to view Windows 10 key number.
Suppose you have done a system upgrade. For example, from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Consequently, all logs and files are stored in a folder called Windows.old. This folder is at the following address:
C:\Windows.old
The Windows license is stored in the system registry. However, for security and privacy reasons, it is hard to locate it. Therefore, it is necessary to resort to some processes to locate it. Certainly, when purchasing new software, the vendor provides the product key. This key will be used later to activate the software. In addition, it is provided on the product box itself or through digital media. However, it can happen that accidentally we delete the mail or the box is damaged. Consequently, we lose access to the key.
Key advantages
- Security audit reports
- Administrative tasks
- Organization licensing control
- Product support
- Warranties and other.
How to get the Windows key with CMD.
A simple option to obtain the Windows 10 password is through CMD. There are several methods to activate Windows 10. One of them is through a Retail key. Well, this information is stored in the Windows Registry. In this case, let’s open a command prompt with administrator privileges. With this in mind, press the Win +Q combination. Then in the search box, type CMD and choose the corresponding option:
Then run the following command:
wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
How to view Windows serial key with PowerShell
We can also use PowerShell to obtain the Windows 10 serial key. With this in mind, press the Win+X combination and launch the PowerShell.
Finally, run the following command:
(Get-WmiObject –query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey
I would like to point out that both of the above methods work only with a Retail license type. Therefore, if you have activated Windows with a digital license, then it will not work.
How to get serial key with Script in Windows 10
This is a quick and easy way to view the Windows 10 password. Just open Notepad and copy the following code:
Option Explicit
Dim objshell,path,DigitalID, Result
Set 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 Function
Once you paste it into the notepad, you must save it. Here, the important thing is that you can use any name you want. However, the neuralgic issue is that you must save it with the .vbs extension. Additionally, you can store it in any location.
Then, you only have to run the script. If everything is in order, then we will see the Windows 10 key information. It is even possible to save it in a file.
How to get serial key with Script in Windows 10. Alternate method.
We can also use this method but using a different code. Just follow the same steps above to open the notepad. Once there, please copy the following code:
Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")MsgBox ConvertToKey(WshShell.RegRead("HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId"))Function ConvertToKey(Key)Const KeyOffset = 52i = 28Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"DoCur = 0x = 14DoCur = Cur * 256Cur = Key(x + KeyOffset) + CurKey(x + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24) And 255Cur = Cur Mod 24x = x -1Loop While x >= 0i = i -1KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutputIf (((29 - i) Mod 6) = 0) And (i <> -1) Theni = i -1KeyOutput = "-" & KeyOutputEnd IfLoop While i >= 0ConvertToKey = KeyOutputEnd Function
Again, you can use any name and location for the file. Just be careful to save it again in .vbs format.
Again, just run the script. Consequently, you will see the key in a window.
How to recover Windows key with third-party applications
There are several tools on the market that allow you to obtain the key to Windows 10. This time, we will use ShowKeyPlus. It is a free, open-source, lightweight and portable tool that displays all the information related to the key of our system. The first thing you have to do is to download it from here. After downloading the file, just unzip it. Then, you just have to run it. Since it is a tool that digs deep into the system registry, it can be detected as a virus. But don’t worry, it’s a false positive. The app is totally safe to use.
As you can see, it is a simple but very complete tool. It shows the key, as well as the data related to the license and what type it is. It is possible to determine if your computer has an OEM key. We can also retrieve a key that we have saved. It also has a handy issue checker. This is very useful to validate the status of those keys printed on the Windows box or on a hardware sticker.
At the end of the day, we have seen how to obtain the Windows password. In addition, we have specified native methods, as well as third-party tools. See you soon!
