If a product key was used to activate Windows, you can find the Windows 10 key a specific way depending on how you got the OS. Finding your Windows 10 product key is a bit different than how you do it in other versions of Windows. If something about using product keys in Windows is still confusing for you, or you're not sure if you even need to find your product key to install Windows again, see my Windows Product Keys FAQ for help. Since Microsoft changes how they encode and store product keys from each version of Windows to the next, there are preferred programs and methods depending on which version of Windows you have.įind your version of Windows below, follow the linked how-to guide, and you'll have your valid Windows product key in no time. Once you have your valid product key, you'll be able to reinstall Windows legally and be able to successfully activate it afterwards. All versions of Windows keep copies of the product keys used to install them in the Windows Registry but newer versions also encrypt them, meaning that finding them involves both knowing the location and how to decipher them.įortunately, programs called product key finders can do this all for you automatically, and usually in just a few seconds. Essentially all Microsoft programs require a product key as part of the installation process, including all of Microsoft's Windows operating systems.
