How to find which product key has been used for my installed Windows?


  1. Posts : 868
    Windows 10 x64
       #1

    How to find which product key has been used for my installed Windows?


    Windows 10 x64

    As I have multiple retail license keys, I am unsure which one is in use right now.

    There are 3rd party key finders that may show the key in use, but I prefer to obtain the key using Windows own tools, if possible. For instance using a CMD.
    (Am uncertain about these 'key finders': can they be trusted?)

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks
    =
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,983
    Windows 10 x86 14383 Insider Pro and Core 10240
       #2

    Open admin Command prompt:

    +X
    A
    select Yes

    then type slmgr -dlv <enter>

    Under the Partial Product Key, you will see the last 5 characters (-XXXXX) of the key in use.
    If these are unknown to you, You can post these characters here, or you could google "-XXXXX" which should tell you if this is a generic Windows 10 key.

    The only other Microsoft program that is generally available that I know which will tell you your FULL key is the Media Creation Tool*, once it has been run, in the file:
    C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources\Panther\ windlp.state.xml (which needs to be copied out of the folder to another location like desktop or documents, and it then should open in Internet Explorer, or another browser.)

    In the following group of lines about 2/3rds of the way down the file you should find Product Key:

    Code:
    <LicenseStateFound>0</LicenseStateFound>
    
    <PKeyLocation>8</PKeyLocation>
    
    <ImageName>Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview</ImageName>
    
    <ProductKey>VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T</ProductKey>
    
    <EditionId>Professional</EditionId>
    
    <SystemLanguage>en-GB</SystemLanguage>
    
    <InstallChannel>Retail</InstallChannel>
    *Windows 10 ISO Download - Windows 10 Forums for instructions.

    The Media Creation Tool would need to be run from each system that you wish to know the full product key details.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 868
    Windows 10 x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks a lot! What I didn't know, but know now, is that the key currently is in use, is different from the original key.
    Meaning, after the upgrade, I believe the installed license key reads differently.

    I just 'discovered' a tool named 'ShowkeyPlus' Showkey - Windows 10 Forums
    indeed showing the original key.

    Thanks again !
    =
      My Computer


 

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