The Windows Registry tip was initially posted by a user (whose account is no longer active) in the Microsoft forum.įirst, open Notepad by right-clicking anywhere on the desktop, hovering over “New,” and then selecting “Text Document” from the menu. (For example, this script in Microsoft’s TechNet gallery works differently, but also grabs output from “DigitalProductId” in the registry.) As of July 2020, we recommend you skip this section and use the above method instead. RELATED: How to Find Your Windows 11 Product Key Find Your Windows 10 Product Key Using a Windows Registry Method Update: This method is all over the web, but it doesn’t seem to return a real usable key on the latest version of Windows 10. If you’d like a faster way of accessing your product key in the future, you can use the Windows Registry method instead. This way is quick, but this isn’t likely a code you’ll remember very easily.

Nirsoft has had a good reputation for a very long time. As long as you download it from the official site, you don’t have to worry about it. Because of what ProduKey does - and how it does it - your antivirus thinks it is or could be malicious. This is the only form of nag you’ll see - there are no pop-up windows, for example.Note: NirSoft’s ProduKey will probably trigger your antivirus. Activate Windows now.” link at the bottom of the Settings app. You’ll also see a “Windows isn’t activated. First, you’ll notice a watermark in the bottom-right corner of your screen. If the license key did not appear kindly proceed to method 2. The license key that has 25 characters should appear. Type or copy-paste the below command in the command prompt wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey 3. Eventually, Windows will start nagging you a tiny bit. Open the command prompt and run it with administrator rights. Initially, you won’t notice a difference. These days, Windows just complains at you in a few minor, cosmetic ways. With Windows XP, Microsoft actually used Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) to disable access to your computer. However, an unactivated version of Windows 10 doesn’t have many restrictions. RELATED: How Does Windows Activation Work?Īfter you’ve installed Windows 10 without a key, it won’t actually be activated. Whatever version you choose, Windows 10 will install normally. When you select this option, you’ll be able to install either “Windows 10 Home” or “Windows 10 Pro.” Bear in mind that, if you plan to pay to upgrade to the paid version later, it’ll be cheaper to upgrade to Windows 10 Home, so you may want to install the Home version.

Windows 10 digital license