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

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I convert a 1 gig USB to an 8 gig USB?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can't. You have to buy an 8 gig USB.
  • 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
    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.
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.
  • 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.
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Activate Windows 7 Without a Key Activate Windows 7 Without a Product Key
Change or Put a New Album Cover Photo for a MP3 Song on Windows Add Album Artwork to an .mp3 File on Windows
Set Different Wallpapers on Dual Monitors on Windows Set Different Wallpapers on Dual Monitors on Windows
Print Screen on Windows 7Print Screen on Windows 7
Install Windows 7 (Beginners)The Complete Guide to Installing Windows 7
Reset Windows 7 Administrator PasswordReset Windows 7 Administrator Password
Change the Language in Windows 7Change the Language in Windows 7
Control the Brightness of Your Computer With Windows 7Control the Brightness of Your Computer With Windows 7
Restore a Computer to Factory Settings in Windows 7Restore a Computer to Factory Settings in Windows 7
Repair Windows 7Repair Windows 7
Boot from USB in Windows 7Boot from USB in Windows 7
Bypass Windows 7 PasswordBypass Windows 7 Password
Change Startup Programs in Windows 7 Add and Remove Startup Programs in Windows 7
Use Remote Desktop in Windows 7Use Remote Desktop on Windows 7: Connecting & Troubleshooting
Advertisement

About This Article

Luigi Oppido
Co-authored by:
Computer & Tech Specialist
This article was co-authored by Luigi Oppido and by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Luigi Oppido is the Owner and Operator of Pleasure Point Computers in Santa Cruz, California. Luigi has over 25 years of experience in general computer repair, data recovery, virus removal, and upgrades. He is also the host of the Computer Man Show! broadcasted on KSQD covering central California for over two years. This article has been viewed 548,758 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 7
Updated: October 13, 2024
Views: 548,758
Categories: Windows 7
Article SummaryX

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?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 548,758 times.

Is this article up to date?

Advertisement