Product Key

Question

I need to find my product key for windows 10. Had a problem. I had to uninstall and then reinstall. Now it is saying that my windows is not activated. So I need to find my product key so I can reactivate.

Answer 1

1

Where did you get your Windows licence was that pre-installed on the PC or did you purchase a full retail Windows licence from Microsoft or from a 3rd party retailer, and if so, do you have the product key?

Or is your Windows licence based on a previous Windows 7 or 8 licence?

2

Download the free ShowKeyPlus app from the Microsoft Store.

Please provide a screenshot of that app window and please hide any product key in the screenshot.

Answer 2

To reactivate Windows 10, a 25-character product key or a digital license is required.

Where to find the product key depends on how Windows 10 was obtained:

1. New PC with Windows preinstalled
   • The key is preinstalled in firmware, included with the PC’s packaging, or printed on a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label attached to the PC.
   • If it cannot be found, contact the PC manufacturer.
2. Boxed copy from an authorized retailer
   • The key is on a label or card inside the Windows 10 box.
   • If missing, contact the retailer.
3. Digital copy from an authorized retailer
   • The key is in the confirmation email or in the retailer’s digital locker.
4. Digital copy from a Microsoft website
   • The key is in the confirmation email from Microsoft.
   • If purchased from the Microsoft Store, the order and key details can be checked in the Microsoft account Order history.
5. Free upgrade (Windows 7/8.1 → 10) or upgrade to Windows 11
   • A digital license is used instead of a product key. In this case, signing in with the same Microsoft account used previously should allow activation without entering a key.

Once the product key is located, or if there is a valid key already associated with the device, activation can be done by:

1. Selecting Start → Settings → Update & Security → Activation.
2. Choosing Change product key.
3. Entering the 25-character key and following the prompts.

If Windows was previously activated on this device and the same edition is being reinstalled, a separate key might not be required, especially if the key is embedded in firmware or a digital license is present. If activation still fails, use the Activation troubleshooter or the guidance in Get help with Windows activation errors.

---

References:

• Find your Windows product key
• Why can't I activate Windows?
• Activate Windows
• Create installation media for Windows
• I cannot find my product key even though I purchased Windows - Microsoft Q&A
• Unable to activate Windows after reinstall - Microsoft Q&A
• Unable to activate windows after hardware update - Microsoft Q&A
• Retrieve Product Key / New Windows 11 install - Microsoft Q&A
• Unable to use troubleshooter for windows activation - Microsoft Q&A