How do I get my windows product key

Ursine 20 Reputation points
2025-11-24T20:56:46.8633333+00:00

I want to make sure I have a backup of my windows product key as I am wanting to reinstall for a fresh boot.
I have tried running the following

in elevated cmd: wmic path softwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

and

in elevated powershell: (Get-WmiObject -query ‘select * from SoftwareLicensingService’).OA3xOriginalProductKey

both times it returns a blank line and then nothing else. I have updated my powershell to the latest version but it still doesn't work.

I have found my backupproductkeydefault in regedit but I have searched and found that this is a different key Ideally I would like both.

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Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation
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JANSHER LIWAG 8,955 Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-11-24T21:42:03.8633333+00:00

Hi Ursine,

Thank you for posting, I am here to help you today. A blank output after running wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey. Possible that product key is not stored in your Computer BIOS.

Aside from Powershell try this command using Run command with administrator access. Then type this command

wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey see if it still getting blank.

Please check also your activation settings see if its is showing Windows is activated with a digital license? If so, your OS is activated without a product key, so there is no key stored on the system to retrieve.

For more information you can check this article:

Find your Windows product key

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/find-your-windows-product-key-aaa2bf69-7b2b-9f13-f581-a806abf0a886

I hope you find this information helpful. Please let us know if you have any further questions If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer".

Best regards,

Jansher

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  1. Ursine 20 Reputation points
    2025-11-28T18:28:27.1366667+00:00

    Thankyou, I have a digital Licence which I never knew wouldn't display.

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