Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Using Windows PowerShell
• Method 2 of 3: Using ProduKey
• Method 3 of 3: Find the product key if the PC is no longer bootable

This wikiHow teaches you how to find Windows 8's 25-character product key in a variety of ways. If you can boot into Windows, you can find the code using the Windows PowerShell or a free app called ProduKey. If the PC won't boot, you can find the product key on a sticker somewhere on the PC or the original packaging. If the hard drive is still working, you can connect it to another PC to search it with ProduKey. If you are unable to find the product key using any of these methods, you can purchase a replacement product key from Microsoft for as little as $ 10.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Using Windows PowerShell

1. Press ⊞ Win+S. to open the Windows search bar. You can also open the search bar by clicking the magnifying glass icon in the Charms menu.
2. Type powershell and press ↵ Enter. If you are not logged in with an administrator account, you may be asked to enter the administrator password now.
3. Type or paste the command to get the product key. The command is (Get-WmiObject query "select * from SoftwareLicensingService"). OA3xOriginalProductKey.
   • To paste the copied command into PowerShell, right-click on the window.
4. Press ↵ Enter. After a few seconds, your Windows 8 product key will appear on the next line.

Method 2 of 3: Using ProduKey

1. Go to http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/product_cd_key_viewer.html. This is the download page for a free tool called ProduKey. This tool easily shows your product key without the need for special permissions.
   • This method should work on any computer running Windows 8 or earlier.
2. Scroll down and click on a download link. For the English version, click Download ProduKey (In Zip File) (for 32-bit systems) or Download ProduKey for x64 (64-bit systems) above the table at the bottom of the page. You can download the app in other languages ​​by selecting one from the table at the bottom of the page.
   • The downloaded file will be saved to your default download location (usually the Downloads folder).
3. Right-click on the downloaded file and select Unpack here . The file is probably called produkey-x64.zip or the like. This will extract the contents of the zip file into a folder with the same name (without ".zip" at the end).
4. Open the new folder and double click ProduKey.exe. This will launch the app that displays your Windows 8 product key next to the text "Windows 8".

Method 3 of 3: Find the product key if the PC is no longer bootable

1. Check the bottom or back of the computer. If you have a desktop PC, look somewhere on the case (not on the screen) for a sticker with 25 letters and numbers, separated by hyphens (e.g., XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX). If you have a laptop, check the bottom of the device or under the battery cover.
2. Look at the packaging. If the computer with Windows 8 is installed, the product key can be found on a sticker somewhere on the box or on the DVD sleeve. It may also be printed on paper supplied with the machine.
3. Check your email. Did you buy the computer online? The product key can then be in an email from the seller / manufacturer.
4. Connect the hard drive to another PC. If the computer cannot be started, but the hard drive is still working, you can use a free tool (such as ProduKey) to get the product key from the hard drive. To do this, proceed as follows:
   • Remove the Windows hard drive from the non-working PC. Read Removing a Hard Drive to learn how.
   • Connect the drive as a second (slave) drive on another PC. An easy way to do this is to place the drive in an external hard drive enclosure and connect it to the other PC.
   • Follow the steps to download and run ProduKey this way in this method: Using ProduKey.
   • Once you have started ProduKey, press F9 to enter the "Select source" menu.
   • Select the radio button next to "Load the product keys of remote Windows installations from all drives currently connected to your computer."
   • click on OK to display the product key. The product key of the Windows 8 hard drive appears next to the text "Windows 8".
5. Contact Microsoft to request a new product key. If you're still having trouble locating your product key, you can purchase a replacement product key for $ 10 from a Microsoft support representative. You do this as follows:
   • Call 1 (800) 936-5700. This is a paid Microsoft support line ($ 40- $ 60 per issue), but you won't be charged for support as long as you only call to purchase a replacement product key.
   • Follow the phone prompts to reach an agent who can handle product key issues.
   • Tell the rep that you do not have access to your Windows 8 product key. Provide the representative with all requested information, which may include your computer serial number (if Windows 8 came with your PC), Windows 8 DVD information (if you have one), and credit card details once your request has been processed .
   • Write down the product code exactly as it is read by the employee. Repeat this aloud to confirm that you have written it down correctly.
   • Follow any additional activation instructions provided to you by the agent. You may be transferred to another department to activate the product key before it can be used.