How to Find Your Windows 10 OEM Product Key

Written by Eric Wyatt (last updated August 12, 2019)

5

The vast majority of Windows 10 users are using a computer purchased from a PC manufacturer such as Dell, HP, Asus, or others. Manufacturers ship the computer with the Windows operating system already installed. Every version of Windows is assigned what is referred to as a product key. The product key helps ensure the operating system has not been installed on multiple computers.

When manufacturers like Dell or HP ship a computer, the installed operating system has what is referred to as an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) key. Your OEM key can help with registration and installations. To find the OEM key assigned to your computer, you can search through all the material(s) that was packaged with your computer, or the OEM key may have been emailed to you.

Rather than searching everywhere for the number you can dig it out quickly and easily using the Command Prompt. To find your OEM key using the Command Prompt follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key and type (without quotes) "Command Prompt." When you press Enter, Windows opens a Command Prompt window.
  2. Type the following and press Enter. Command Prompt will then display the OEM key for your computer.
wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey (See Figure 1.) 

Now you can quickly view your OEM Key any time you need it, without having to sort through bags and papers that may have come with your computer.

Figure 1. The Command Prompt window showing the OEM Key.

 This tip (13661) applies to Windows 10.

Author Bio

Eric Wyatt

Eric Wyatt is a swell guy (or so his friends tell him). He is a formally trained designer and branding expert, bringing a wide range of skills to his Tips.Net articles. ...

MORE FROM ERIC

More Powerful Notes

Sticky Notes in Windows 10 is a helpful app. When you go beyond just a note, it's even more helpful.

Discover More

Controlling the Taskbar on Multiple Monitors

On Windows computers the Taskbar, by default, runs along the bottom of the screen. Learn how to control how the Taskbar ...

Discover More

Listening with One Ear

If you use a single speaker to listen to your computer audio, you may be missing out on some sounds. Two quick changes to ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Removing Spyware with Windows Defender

Despite your best efforts, it's possible that your system might still get afflicted with spyware. If that happens, you ...

Discover More

Understanding System Protection

System Protection is an automatic feature of Windows. It uses restore points that can be a virtual lifesaver if an ...

Discover More

Taking Control of Your Storage Space

Storage space on your computer is vitally important. New storage settings introduced in Windows 10 Version 1903 provides ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 2 + 2?

2021-10-03 18:23:40

Emil Heshan

Thank you very much !!!!


2021-08-14 14:26:00

hillen mcdabra

thank you


2019-08-13 05:22:36

ErQC

Works on my Microsoft Surface Pro 4 but not on my (older) Windows 10 Pro desktop.
But this is normal, this command get the OEM product key stored in the BIOS and in older PCS it isn't present.

However you can get the product key with a small freeware tool 'Produkey.exe' (http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html).
It will give you both the OEM BIOS and the installation product key.
(see Figure 1 below)



Figure 1. Produkey on a Surface Pro 4


2019-08-12 13:07:51

MIchael Armstrong

I upgraded whatever came with my Dell Latitude (Windows 7?) to Windows 10 Pro. Entering
wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey
returns
OA3xOriginalProductKey
followed by two blanks lines.


2019-08-12 09:27:07

PerranMan

wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey simply displays
OA3xOriginalProductKey

and nothing else.

WIn 10 Pro


Newest Tips