How to Find Your Windows 7 Product Key: CMD, Registry & More

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Do you need to find the product key for your copy of Windows 7? If you need to reinstall Windows 7 or use your license on another PC, you'll need a valid 25-digit product key to authenticate your version of Windows through Microsoft. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to display your Windows 7 product key without installing software, including using the command prompt (CMD), checking the registry, and running an easy VB script. This wikiHow article will teach you free ways to find or recover your Windows 7 product key.

Finding Windows 7 Product Key

Open the Windows 7 command prompt and type "wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey" to get the product key. If you can't boot into Windows, find the key on the COA sticker on the POC, the Windows 7 packaging, or your receipt. Or, use third-party software like ProduKey and ShowKeyPlus.

Section 1 of 8:

Check the Sticker on the PC

PDF download Download Article
  1. If your PC came preinstalled with Windows 7, you should be able to find a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker on your computer. This sticker often has a holographic or rainbow label, but sometimes will just be a plain white sticker. If you're using a tower/desktop computer, it'll usually be on the side or back of the unit. On a laptop, it's typically on the bottom of the unit or under the battery . [1]
    2. Advertisement
Section 2 of 8:

Try the Command Prompt (CMD)

PDF download Download Article
  1. This is a handy way to display your Windows 7 product key if you can no longer read what's on the sticker or can't find it elsewhere. As long as Windows 7 was installed on this computer when you purchased it, you'll be able to pull up the key this way.
    • Click the Start menu and select Run .
    • Type cmd and click OK to open Command Prompt .
    • At the prompt, type wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey and press Enter .
    • Find the 25-digit product key on the next line.
Section 3 of 8:

Search the Registry

PDF download Download Article
  1. In most cases, you can locate the product key in your registry. To open the registry editor:
    • Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
    • Type regedit .
    • Click OK
  2. The path you'll need to access is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Install\UserData. Here's how to get there:
    • Expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder in the left panel.
    • Expand the SOFTWARE folder beneath it.
    • Expand the MICROSOFT folder.
    • Expand the Windows folder.
    • Expand the CurrentVersion folder.
    • Expand the Install folder.
    • Expand the UserData folder.
  3. This allows you to search for the product key.
  4. Now you'll see a "ProductID" entry in the right panel. You can double-click this entry to display an easy-to-copy version of your 25-digit Windows 7 product key.
    5. Advertisement
Section 4 of 8:

Try Third-Party Software

PDF download Download Article
  1. Download ProduKey from https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html . This simple free tool can display product keys for many older Microsoft products, including Windows 7, 8, Vista, Microsoft Office, and SQL Server. [2] To download, click the Download ProduKey (In Zip file) link to download the ZIP file, unzip the file , then double-click the file ending with .exe to display your 25-digit product key.
    • This tool is often falsely flagged as a virus, even though it's totally safe. The only reason it's flagged is because the tool is capable of viewing your product key, which many antivirus apps think can be used to pirate software. As long as you download the tool directly from Nirsoft, it's safe and you can ignore any virus warnings. [3]
    • If you can't get Nirsoft's tool to work, try ShowKeyPlus, which you can download from https://github.com/Superfly-Inc/ShowKeyPlus/releases . [4] You can then unzip the downloaded file and run the Showkeyplus.exe file inside to display your product key.
Section 5 of 8:

Run a Simple Script

PDF download Download Article
  1. you still can't find the product key, you can paste a simple Visual Basic script into a text file and run it like an application to display your product key. Start by launching Notepad, which you'll find in your Start menu's Accessories folder.
  2. Just copy and paste this block of code into your blank new text file. [5] 
     Set 
 WshShell 
 = 
 CreateObject 
 ( 
 "WScript.Shell" 
 ) 
 MsgBox 
 ConvertToKey 
 ( 
 WshShell 
 . 
 RegRead 
 ( 
 "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId" 
 )) 
 Function 
 ConvertToKey 
 ( 
 Key 
 ) 
 Const 
 KeyOffset 
 = 
 52 
 i 
 = 
 28 
 Chars 
 = 
 "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789" 
 Do 
 Cur 
 = 
 0 
 x 
 = 
 14 
 Do 
 Cur 
 = 
 Cur 
 * 
 256 
 Cur 
 = 
 Key 
 ( 
 x 
 + 
 KeyOffset 
 ) 
 + 
 Cur 
 Key 
 ( 
 x 
 + 
 KeyOffset 
 ) 
 = 
 ( 
 Cur 
 \ 
 24 
 ) 
 And 
 255 
 Cur 
 = 
 Cur 
 Mod 
 24 
 x 
 = 
 x 
 - 
 1 
 Loop 
 While 
 x 
 >= 
 0 
 i 
 = 
 i 
 - 
 1 
 KeyOutput 
 = 
 Mid 
 ( 
 Chars 
 , 
 Cur 
 + 
 1 
 , 
 1 
 ) 
 & 
 KeyOutput 
 If 
 ((( 
 29 
 - 
 i 
 ) 
 Mod 
 6 
 ) 
 = 
 0 
 ) 
 And 
 ( 
 i 
 <> 
 - 
 1 
 ) 
 Then 
 i 
 = 
 i 
 - 
 1 
 KeyOutput 
 = 
 "-" 
 & 
 KeyOutput 
 End 
 If 
 Loop 
 While 
 i 
 >= 
 0 
 ConvertToKey 
 = 
 KeyOutput 
 End 
 Function
  3. To do this, just click File > Save as , choose a location you'll remember (your desktop is a good option), type productkey.vbs as the file name, and then click Save .
  4. For example, if you saved the file to your desktop, just double-click the productkey.vbs icon on your desktop. This displays a pop-up window that contains your Windows 7 product key.
    5. Advertisement
Section 6 of 8:

Check the Packaging

PDF download Download Article
  1. Sometimes this sticker is affixed to the outside of the Windows 7 box or CD packaging while other times it may be on a card insert inside the box. [6]
Section 7 of 8:

Search Your Email

PDF download Download Article
  1. Search your email for a confirmation message from Microsoft (or from whoever you purchased the software) and you'll find the 25-character product key.
    2. Advertisement
Section 8 of 8:

Contact the Manufacturer

PDF download Download Article
  1. As long as you purchased a computer that came with Windows 7 from a manufacturer like Dell, HP, or Lenovo, a technician should be able to provide you with any tools you'll need to pull up your product key.

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I convert a 1 gig USB to an 8 gig USB?
    Community Answer
    You can't. You have to buy an 8 gig USB.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 30
  • Question
    I can't download the Win7 ISO because when I type the product key I find on the bottom of my laptop it says it "appears to be for SW pre-installed by the device manufacturer." Any ideas?
    Community Answer
    Do a Google search for "Windows 7 ISO file." It may take some time to find a good website to download it from, but you should be able to get one.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 15
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • If you don't have a valid product key, you can try activating without a key using the "rearm" command.
        Thanks
        Helpful 3 Not Helpful 3
      • Try re-entering your Windows 7 product key if you receive an “invalid product key” error. This error usually means you mistyped the product key, or that you’re entering the product key for another version of Windows.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Activate Windows 7 Without a Product Key
      How to
      Add Album Artwork to an .mp3 File on Windows
      How to
      Set Different Wallpapers on Dual Monitors on Windows
      How to
      Print Screen on Windows 7
      The Complete Guide to Installing Windows 7
      How to
      Reset Windows 7 Administrator Password
      How to
      Change the Language in Windows 7
      How to
      Control the Brightness of Your Computer With Windows 7
      How to
      Restore a Computer to Factory Settings in Windows 7
      How to
      Repair Windows 7
      How to
      Boot from USB in Windows 7
      How to
      Bypass Windows 7 Password
      How to
      Add and Remove Startup Programs in Windows 7
      Use Remote Desktop on Windows 7: Connecting & Troubleshooting
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/find-your-windows-product-key-aaa2bf69-7b2b-9f13-f581-a806abf0a886
      2. ↑ https://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html
      3. ↑ https://www.nirsoft.net/false_positive_report.html
      4. ↑ https://github.com/Superfly-Inc/ShowKeyPlus/releases
      5. ↑ https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht500032-how-to-find-the-windows-7-product-key
      6. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/find-your-windows-product-key-aaa2bf69-7b2b-9f13-f581-a806abf0a886

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Check the COA sticker on the top, back, bottom or any side of your computer.
      2. Check the label or card inside the box if you bought a physical copy of Windows.
      3. Check the confirmation email if you bought Windows online.
      4. Contact your PC manufacturer if you don't have your COA sticker.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 548,758 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement