Retrieve the product key for Windows 10 / 11 using the command line

If you’re searching for the product key of your pre-installed Windows 10 or 11 operating system, you can utilize the following CMD and PowerShell commands to reveal the key stored in your computer’s BIOS or UEFI.

This functionality is referred to as “Windows OEM Activation” or “OEM Activation 3.0” (OA3.0). Through OEM Activation, manufacturers have the capability to embed the Windows product key directly into the computer’s BIOS/UEFI during the manufacturing stage. This embedded product key is associated with the specific hardware configuration of the computer. Consequently, when Windows is installed on the system, it can automatically retrieve the product key stored in the BIOS/UEFI, facilitating OS activation without the need for users to manually input a key.

The advantage of storing the product key in the BIOS/UEFI is the simplified activation process it offers for pre-installed Windows systems. It eliminates the necessity for users to keep track of physical product key stickers and manually input them during installation.

CMD / PowerShell

1. Press “Win + R” to open the Run dialog.
   
   
2. Type “cmd” for Command Prompt or “powershell” for PowerShell.
   
   
3. To open it with administrator press “Ctrl + Shift + Enter“.
   
   
4. Type the following command and execute it:

CMD:

wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

PowerShell:

(Get-WmiObject -query ’select * from SoftwareLicensingService‘).OA3xOriginalProductKey

5. After executing the command, the Command Prompt will display the OA3xOriginalProductKey.