How to find out the serial used to activate Windows

 

Each genuine, activated copy of Windows contains a unique 25-character serial. If you ever need to reinstall Windows on the same computer or another computer, you will need to know this serial to restore the original copy of Windows again. But the problem here is that most users do not know the serial used to activate Windows on their devices, and this is mostly because they bought a laptop with a pre-installed activated version of Windows. Fortunately, there is more than one way to easily detect the current serial number. One of these methods is to look at the Microsoft label with the serial number on the bottom of the laptop. But if the laptop is new, you may not find this sticker to protect the serial from attempts to steal or unauthorized use. So, the methods reviewed below show the serial through Windows itself, here's how.

 

Use the command prompt

 

This is the easiest and fastest way, whether you're using Windows 10, 11, or an earlier version. All you have to do is right-click on the Start menu button in the taskbar or press Win + X together to display the options menu. Then click on “Terminal (Admin”) or type in the search bar “CMD” and from the results click on “Run as administrator” to open the command prompt with administrator rights, and then enter the following command:

 

wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

 

 

After pressing the Enter key, the serial number of 25 characters will appear to you. You can copy and save it in a text file or write it manually on a piece of paper. This is the fastest way to find out the serial number used to activate the copy of Windows. But keep in mind that the serial that appears here is the original serial from the manufacturer to activate the copy of Windows pre-installed on your device. Thus, if you purchase a new serial, perhaps to upgrade from Home to Pro, it won't appear that way.

 

Even if you did not purchase a new serial, you will also need to make sure that the serial that appears in the command prompt is of type Retail, which means that it can be used to activate Windows on any other computer. But if it is an OEM type, you can only use it to activate Windows on this device only

 

Using the ShowKeyPlus application

 

You can also use the free ShowKeyPlus application, which displays important data about the installed Windows version such as the type and version of Windows in addition to the current serial to activate this version and its type if it is OEM or Retail. You can also easily save this information to a text file by clicking "Save" from the side menu, or you can find out information about any Windows serial by going to Check Edition.

 

In the main interface, you will find in the Installed Key field the current serial used to activate Windows, while in the OEM Key field, you will find the original serial that was used to activate the copy of Windows previously installed on the device by the manufacturer, and therefore if you did not upgrade the type of copy on your device, from Home For Pro, for example, you will find in both the OEM Key and Installed Key the same activation key.

 

Using the Registry Editor

 

The Windows system stores the activation key in one of the registry values, so it is possible to find the serial with the "Registry Editor" tool after heading to the correct path. Then you will open the tool either by searching for it by pressing the Win + letter S keys, or by opening the Run window by pressing the Win + letter R keys together, then typing [regedit] and pressing Enter to open the tool window. After the Registry Editor window appears, use the left sidebar to move to the following path, or copy and paste the path into the address bar above, then press Enter:

 

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

 

 

After accessing the SoftwareProtectionPlatform folder, you will find a value called "BackupProductKeyDefault" on the right side, which reveals in front of you the serial used to activate the copy of Windows. You can double-click this value and copy the key to save it to another easy-to-reach location, then close the Registry Editor window.