Product Key Number for Windows 7 - Find and See

How to Find and See the Windows 7 Product Key Number​

   Information

The Windows 7 product key number is a sequence of 25 letters and numbers divided into 5 groups of 5 characters each (ex: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX) that is used to activate either the 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 edition that you purchased and installed.

This will show you how to find and see your product key number in Windows 7 or on the retail or OEM product license key Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker.

   Note

• A Windows 7 product key number can only be used to activate the same edition of Windows 7 that it was for, and cannot be used to activate a different edition of Windows 7.
• A Family Pack Windows 7 product key number can be used to activate the Family Pack Windows 7 copy on up to 3 computers at any one time.
• A OEM Windows 7 product key number can only be used to activate a OEM Windows 7 copy on the same computer that it was first activated on, and no other computer.
• A retail Windows 7 product key number can be used to activate a retail Windows 7 copy on any computer, but only on up to one computer at any one time.

For more information on the license terms of Windows 7, see: License Terms

For more information about the product key number authenticity, see: How to Tell

   Tip

A Product Key and Product ID are two completely different things, despite the similarity of the terms.

The 20 character Product ID is created during the installation process and is prominently displayed under the Windows activation section at the bottom of the Control Panel (icons view) -> System window. It is used to obtain/qualify for technical support from Microsoft; it is of no use during the installation process.

The 25 character Product Key is used to "prove" ownership of a legitimate license and is required to perform the installation to activate Windows with.

OPTION ONE

Find Windows 7 Product Key Number on Product Key Sticker

1. For a OEM Product Key on COA Sticker
NOTE: These will be store bought computers that came with Windows 7 preinstalled on them. The product key sticker will usually be on the back of a desktop, and on the bottom or under the battery of a laptop and notebook. The sticker key number may be different than the key number reported in one of the programs below. If so, the key number on the sticker is the one that's unique to your computer, and that's the one you'll need to input should you ever clean install Windows. The different extracted key is just a master key used at the OEM factory.






2. For a Retail Product Key on COA Sticker
NOTE: These will be computers that a retail copy of Windows 7 has been installed on. The product key sticker will be in the included paperwork in the retail Windows 7 box.

OPTION TWO

To Use "ShowKeyPlus" to See Product Key Number in Windows 7

   Note

Installed Key = This is the product key that Windows is currently activated with.

OEM Key = This is the key stored in the UEFI firmware chip on the motherboard. This key will not always be the same as the installed key. For example, when the PC came with Windows 8.1 originally installed.

1. Download and run ShowKeyPlus. See: "ShowKeyPlus" Information and Download Page

OPTION THREE

To Use "Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder" to See Product Key Number in Windows 7

   Note

This option shows you how to use the free program Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder to see what the product key number is from within a Windows 7 that it has already been entered in (ex: activated). Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder will not show the product key number for Windows 7 Enterprise though.

1. Download and run the free Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinderprogram towards the bottom of the link.

2. In the left pane, click on Windows 7 (your edition). You will see CD Key in the right pane displaying the Windows 7 product key number.

OPTION FOUR

To Use "Speccy" to See Product Key Number in Windows 7

   Note

This option shows you how to use the free program Speccy to see what the product key number is from within a Windows 7 that it has already been entered in (ex: activated). Speccy will not show the product key number for Windows 7 Enterprise though.

1. Download, install, and run the free Speccy program.

2. In the left pane, click on Operating System. In the right pane, you will see the product key number to the right of Serial Number.

OPTION FIVE

To Use "ProduKey" to See Product Key Number in Windows 7

   Note

This option shows you how to use the free program ProduKey to see what the product key number is from within a Windows 7 that it has already been entered in (ex: activated). ProduKey will not show the product key number for Windows 7 Enterprise though.

1. Download, extract, and run the free ProduKey program.

2. You will now see Windows product key listed.

OPTION SIX

To Use a VBS Download to See Product Key Number in Windows 7

   Note

This option was provided by our member Konst at this link.

There you can see that the encrypted key is stored in registry key:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId
at Offset = 52

And that the key only includes this letters and numbers
BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789
And no "AEILNOSUZ015 allowed.

1. Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
See_Windows_Product_Key.vbs


Download


2. Save the VBS file to your desktop, run it, and approve running it.
NOTE: The .vbs file does not install anything on your computer. You can also right click on the .vbs file and click on Edit to see what the script contains.

3. You will now get a pop-up dialog box displaying the product key number used to activate your current Windows installation. Click on OK to close the pop-up when ready. (see screenshot below)

OPTION SEVEN

Find Windows 7 Product Key with "Belarc Advisor"

   Note

You must be signed in as an administrator to run this program. This program will not find the product key of Windows 7 Enterprise since it's a volume license.

1. If you have not already, download and install the free Belarc Advisor program.

2. Run the program. When it displays the results in your default web browser, scroll down until you see your Windows 8 product key like below.




That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Change the Product Key Number in Windows 7
• How to Activate Windows 7 Online
• How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone
• How to Uninstall the Product Key Number and Deactivate Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8
• Windows Genuine and Activation Issue Posting Instructions

 

[ICIT2LOL]

How does that read a COA sticker John?

Well Derek I thought that just by logic that if the Magic Jelly Bean came up with a code that matched the sticker with the exception of the one alpha/numeric the OP cannot read properly then it would be highly likely the code that the MJB displayed would contain the correct alpha/numeric.

Anyway that is what I would be doing it was just a thought and if the alpha/numeric was wrong then it is going to let you know upon trying to activate the install.

 

[derekimo]

Fascinating...

I guess if you want to try a program this would be my choice,

Showkey - Windows 10 Forums

Of course it's all moot if it's the SLP key being read.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep mate I saw that one as well just recently after someone else had mentioned it but it worked on one of my machines but not others

 

[Benteke]

Try taking a picture of it, you can zoom in on it and that may clear up what it is.

I had to do that on my laptop recently, B & 8 look too much alike.

I actually used a fairly strong magnifying lens... Still looks weird. It's not like it's worn or smudged etc, it's just a peculiar looking character. I'm not sure what to make of it.

Mate try the Magic Jelly Bean software from within this tutorial http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/153626-product-key-number-windows-7-find-see.html

If the result comes up with the majority of the rest of the code then it will ID the letter you cannot quite see.

Yep already tried that before posting.... The sticker # and the number shown in MJB are completely different. (this computer came with Win7 preinstalled)

 

[Brink]

The other number showing in MJB would be the SLP key used by the OEM for volume activation. You won't be able to activate with that key. You'll need to have the key on the COA sticker.

If it's only one character that you can't make out for the product key on the COA sticker, then you could try guessing at it a few times to see if you can get it correct.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hmm that is odd because I have tried the MJB with 100% success with codes I know to be exactly what it gives me back.

Now I think Brink is right try putting in 8 for what may look like a B or O/0 for a Q and if you cannot get it right phone Microsoft they should be able to track it done from that other OEM product stuff if I am not badly mistaken.

 

[Layback Bear]

This might help shorten down your list of could be letters and numbers.
From my old friend Noel.

Noels letter that can not be used in COA
C/G/6 or B/8 or Y/V are the most common, an O/0 is almost always a Q

Note that the following characters cannot be used - A E I L N O S U Z 1 0 - so don't bother trying unless you like the noise it makes

 

[Brink]

Hmm that is odd because I have tried the MJB with 100% success with codes I know to be exactly what it gives me back.

Normally, it would be the correct key. Since the key found by MJB doesn't match the key on the COA sticker on an OEM PC, it would most likely be the SLP key instead.

 

[Benteke]

If it's only one character that you can't make out for the product key on the COA sticker, then you could try guessing at it a few times to see if you can get it correct.

TBH, I really don't know what to make of it.....Is there a secure way to 'blur' out the other numbers/letters if I were to post a pic of the sticker. Or would that be ill advised?

 

[Brink]

It'll be safe to post a pic of the COA sticker if you block out all numbers except only the specific ones you can't make out.

You do not want to have much of the key posted.

 

[Golden]

Tbh....the top of an R and the bottom of an X sounds like a R printed strangely. Presumably you tried R?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Normally, it would be the correct key. Since the key found by MJB doesn't match the key on the COA sticker on an OEM PC, it would most likely be the SLP key instead.

Yep I guess that is right Shawn if you mean the code is installed by the seller. The ones I have tested are ones that I know that either I have installed so it has to be the same as what was on the OEM packet /box I installed. Another was one that I pestered the seller for and that one is correct and I also know it gives up the codes for any Office or other Microsoft stuff I have installed

I did find the other key finder Belarc was not on the money though and I am going to try some of these on OEMs I have installed too just to see how they go. 10 best free product key finders | TechRadar

Having said that I still reckon that the sellers of machines should attach a COA label - let one know the correct code - send an install disk anyway it would save a lot of this nonsense.

 

[AddRAM]

And don`t forget about AEIOU or OU812

 

[Benteke]

It'll be safe to post a pic of the COA sticker if you block out all numbers except only the specific ones you can't make out.

You do not want to have much of the key posted.

Okay, I'll just blur out the remaining characters using FastStone Image viewer or Photoshop.

Tbh....the top of an R and the bottom of an X sounds like a R printed strangely. Presumably you tried R?

Yeah, a couple of months ago I was trying to diagnose a W7 update issue after a restore on a new HDD. I gave MS the COA using/guessing R as the character in question and was told to call the manufacturer. Called Fujitsu and they told me that they had no way of knowing and questioned as to why MS would advise me to call them.... tbh, they (Fujitsu), seemed pretty clueless in general.

 

[Benteke]

Here is my COA sticker & character in question:-

Any Idea's??

.

 

[derekimo]

That's an odd one alright, have you tried R or X? I would try Q and 9 too.

 

[Benteke]

It's even weirder when viewed with all the other characters because they're all unmistakable.... Makes it really stand out.... My best guess is either R or X.

 

[Barman58]

or an 8

 

[ThrashZone]

Yea I would bet on 8 also :/

 

[Brink]

I'd say it looks more like an "R".