How to find the license key installed on Windows 10 / 11 Laptop or Desktop

Question

Hi, I am an IT Admin at an Organisation and trying to manage the Software inventory. We have some assembled desktops where we had installed windows and activated later using the FPP key. Issue is that we could not keep track of Windows installations. How can I get back the original keys used for Windows installations on the Assembled systems or Laptops. Please note I have tried : wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey but this only replies with OA3xOriginalProductKey nothing else. Please help me with this.

Answer 1

I understand your concern about managing software inventory and tracking Windows installations on assembled desktops and laptops. Retrieving the original FPP keys used for activation can be tricky, but here are some methods you can try:

1. Check Windows Activation:

• Open Settings > System > About.
• Look for the "Windows edition" and "Activation" sections.
• If it says "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account," the key is stored in the cloud and not readily accessible on the local machine.
• If it says "Windows is activated with a retail product key," the key might be embedded in the BIOS/UEFI.

2. Use Third-Party Tools:

• Several third-party tools can extract product keys from the Windows registry or BIOS. Some popular options include:
• ProduKey: https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html
• ShowKeyPlus: https://m.majorgeeks.com/mg/get/showkeyplus,1.html
  • Speccy: https://www.ccleaner.com/speccy/download
  • These tools are generally safe and reliable, but use them with caution and avoid downloading from untrusted sources.
  3. Contact Microsoft Support:
  • If the above methods fail, you can contact Microsoft support. They might be able to help you retrieve the product key based on your organization's Microsoft 365 subscription or purchase history.
  4. Leverage System Management Tools:
  • If you have a system management tool like SCCM or Intune deployed in your organization, it might already be tracking software licenses and product keys for managed devices. Check the software inventory reports or contact your IT team for assistance.
  Note:
• The wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey command only retrieves the embedded OEM key, which is not applicable for FPP installations.

Answer 2

ShowKeyPlus works great, also provides additional info about the type of key(s).

https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9pkvzcprx9nv?hl=en-us&gl=US

Answer 3

ShowKeyPlus did not work for some pc with digital licence. I hope it does that too.