Retrieving Windows 10 license keys

Topic

New Reply

I’m trying to find Windows 10 License keys for my 5 machines on a LAN. On one of them, \\ribli, I had to replace the mobo and reactivate with a new license key that Microsoft gave me for free on the phone. On the other systems, I tried various methods recommended on the net:
1) Use admin command prompt;
2) Use Powershell admin command prompt;
3) Get Hex value from registry;
4) Use software like Nirsoft or Showkey.
1) & 2) return nothing.
3) & 4) return a worthless generic license key. I know that because on \\ribli they returned a different key from the one I got on the phone on 4/27/28 from Microsoft.
Anyone have a brilliant idea to recover Windows 10 retail license keys, in case another mobo dies?
Thanks in advance to the experts.

Moderator Edit: to remove HTML

Reply | Quote

Replies

cmar6,

You can try my CMsLocalPCInfo.ps1 script which can be found on shared OneDrive folder.
After you run it look on the Windows Tab in the dialog box. The program will return both embedded keys and OEM/User keys.

If that fails give Belarc Advisor a try.

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

1 user thanked author for this post.

cmar6

Reply | Quote

RG: Thanks for the script, which I ran. There was not Windows tab is dialog box, just a text file, in which I could not find a License key.
<p class=”Normal tm5 tm6″><span class=”tm7″>After you run it look on the Windows Tab in the dialog box. The program will return both embedded keys and OEM/User keys.</span></p>

Reply | Quote

You could also try the free version of  “Speccy” from the makers of CCleaner

Go to the “Operating System” choice on the left side of the opening display.

This will display the License Key near the top of the right side display.

 

1 user thanked author for this post.

cmar6

Reply | Quote

Speccy did not install.

Reply | Quote

For each machine:

Open a command prompt (does not have to be an Administrator one)
Copy and paste the following command and press the Enter key

wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

This will give the product key as in the image below

HTH, Dana:))

2 users thanked author for this post.

Sueska, cmar6

Reply | Quote

Thanks for the idea, which I already tried and got no repsonse.

Reply | Quote

The product key may be at this Registry key:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform

In the Registry at that key with SoftwareProtectionPlatform highlighted in the left pane, look at BackupProductKeyDefault value in the right pane.   The Data for this Value should be your product key.

 

HTH, Dana:))

1 user thanked author for this post.

cmar6

Reply | Quote

Thanks for the idea. This method returns same license key as ShowKey and Nirsoft. I know it is unreliable and out of date on all systems because the license key I got from MS on the phone for \\ribli and input on 4/27/24 to validate Windows 10 is different from the license key shown by registry (and ShowKey and Nirsoft).

I appreciate all the assistance provided by experts here. However, for a home built system, it’s likely the only correct retail Win license key is the one on the sticker of original Win DVD or the one you typed in. Otherwise, you’ll have to buy a new license from MS (or get a free one if they’re in a good mood that day

Reply | Quote

ShowKeyPlus

Portable…no installation required.

 

Reply | Quote

cmar6 wrote:

Speccy did not install.

specPortable no need to install

1 user thanked author for this post.

cmar6

Reply | Quote

I was able to runt Speccy portable on \\ribli but Windows license shown is incorrect, not what I typed in on 4/27/24.

Reply | Quote

show_windows_key
You could try this vbs script.  Save the file to your computer and double click.  Open with notepad if you want to see the code

Win 11 home - 24H2
Attitude is a choice...Choose wisely

2 users thanked author for this post.

cmar6, PL1

Reply | Quote

Try Windows Product Key Viewer 1.07

Zig

1 user thanked author for this post.

cmar6

Reply | Quote

Thanks for the link but no good; wrong key. If you have a retail key (or typed in activation), these program don’t work.

Reply | Quote

Have you tried Belarc Advisor as RG suggested?  My ASUS laptop was purchased with W10 Home pre-installed. I later purchased a W10 Pro update key from MrKeyShop and upgraded to Pro.

On my system, Belarc output shows both the OEM Home key  and the Retail Pro key.

 

Reply | Quote

I’ll take a look.

Reply | Quote

cmar6 wrote:

it’s likely the only correct retail Win license key is the one on the sticker of original Win DVD or the one you typed in.

Microsoft describes the path to resolving the error you’ll get when installing Windows after a hardware change…

Get help with Windows activation errors

See the first error described in the section “Fix Common Errors”.

I’m surprised that wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey didn’t work…

It returned my original OEM Windows 8.1 key (validated in ShowKeyPlus), which was upgraded to Windows 10.

You’re probably looking at a call to Microsoft.

 

1 user thanked author for this post.

cmar6

Reply | Quote

I called MS and to my amazement I got a nice guy who gave me a free activation key to type in. I’m thinking of the future as I have 5 systems.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Phil F, PL1

Reply | Quote