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

 

[Benteke]

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

I know, that's what I guesstimated as well... but when I enter it (as R) on the MS site, I get this -- "the product key you entered appears to be for software pre-installed by the device manufacturer. Please contact them for recovery options.

So, I don't understanding how anyone could ever install a win7 .iso on a system w/the OS pre-installed. It seems the only option for a pre-installed OS is to use the oem restore/recovery disks.

This is becoming frustrating!

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Now it could even be a P (if it is allowed) the extra marks could be just scratches through the label to the plastic ? blob of Biro pen could be anything.

What is so annoying is the lack of support from Fujitsu and MS - typical to be honest part with money and thats it!!

I can't remember if I said earlier but can't Microsoft do something with this issue if B quotes the number as in my pic??

 

[derekimo]

That site isn't for the big OEM manufacturers, they want you to get support from the manufacturer.

That site is for retail and the occasional system builder OEM to get an ISO.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

That site isn't for the big OEM manufacturers, they want you to get support from the manufacturer.

That site is for retail and the occasional system builder OEM to get an ISO.

Thanks mate it was just a thought as this members situation must be really so frustrating from what I can see he has tried.

 

[Benteke]

What is so annoying is the lack of support from Fujitsu and MS - typical to be honest part with money and thats it!!

Yes, especially regarding Fujitsu. I mean it IS one of their machines! Their only recourse was to try & SELL me a set of restore disks.

That site isn't for the big OEM manufacturers, they want you to get support from the manufacturer.

That site is for retail and the occasional system builder OEM to get an ISO.

Is there a link where, (or a way) the OEM product key can be verified? It's either that or install the OS using the .iso and HOPE I can guess that one character!

 

[Barman58]

For OEM products, Disks, licences, and their support are, and always have been the responsibility of the OEM, and not Microsoft. That explains why the Microsoft site responds with the suggestion that you contact Fujitsu, to further persue this matter.

There should have been a recovery partition option with the new system, which would need no key, and an option to create a set of discs for future re-installs that will use the Key on the base. The warranty that is given with these OEM products is completely different from that provided by Microsoft. It is often limited to a much shorter life that Microsoft's support time-line, it often something like 12-36 months, and anything after this is strictly at the discretion of the OEM.

It is normal for an OEM to charge for replacement Disks for restore, but this is normally limited to a nominal charge for cost of postage

BTW, if the restore partition is still on the system, but cannot be accessed via the start-up boot option, you can use something like partition wizard Boot disk to set the recovery partition active and when booted the sytem will restore to factory and reset the active flag

 

[ThrashZone]

What is so annoying is the lack of support from Fujitsu and MS - typical to be honest part with money and thats it!!

Yes, especially regarding Fujitsu. I mean it IS one of their machines! Their only recourse was to try & SELL me a set of restore disks.

That site isn't for the big OEM manufacturers, they want you to get support from the manufacturer.

That site is for retail and the occasional system builder OEM to get an ISO.

Is there a link where, (or a way) the OEM product key can be verified? It's either that or install the OS using the .iso and HOPE I can guess that one character!

Best way to confirm an oem is through that manufacture = call them and plead your case you can not read the key :/

 

[Benteke]

It is normal for an OEM to charge for replacement Disks for restore, but this is normally limited to a nominal charge for cost of postage

BTW, if the restore partition is still on the system, but cannot be accessed via the start-up boot option, you can use something like partition wizard Boot disk to set the recovery partition active and when booted the sytem will restore to factory and reset the active flag

When I purchased the laptop, the first thing I did was to create restore disks (as per the OEM recommendations). I was able to use those restore disks but had a slew of problems when reinstalling to a new HHD when the old drive failed. Meanwhile, SGT Oddball kindly offered me a W7 x64 .iso and several members suggested I reinstall using said .iso and then simply call in the OEM product key. I would prefer reinstalling this way to avoid those problems mentioned above AND to avoid all the useless bloatware on the restore disks.

BTW, Fujitsu wanted $60 for new restore disks.

 

[Barman58]

I've not dealt with fujitzu myself much and then only with printers, but that price looks excessive

If you go the reinstall route from the fresh disk, then the maximum variation is less 36 tries, certain numbers Re not used to prevent confusion, like between 8 & B, O & 0, Z & 2 etc, and IIRC letters were not used, but not sure if that's true for all operating systems and there versions

 

[Benteke]

I've not dealt with fujitzu myself much and then only with printers, but that price looks excessive

If you go the reinstall route from the fresh disk, then the maximum variation is less 36 tries, certain numbers Re not used to prevent confusion, like between 8 & B, O & 0, Z & 2 etc, and IIRC letters were not used, but not sure if that's true for all operating systems and there versions

I actually remember seeing an OEM sticker which had a *B8** in the num sequence. Don't believe I've ever seen any of the others but then again I've only seen a dozen or so.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Look I think that this whole issue/process is so convoluted and hard to just be able to get a system up and running again it sort of smacks of buyer beware eh? I have ISO's for three versions of 7 that I kept when they were available through Heidoc.com and have used them to reinstall 7 on three of my machines using the stickers mostly - a couple of which I have to be honest couldn't be bothered to stick to the machines I built. Now the Magic Jelly Bean has on all occasions given me the COA as per sticker because I tried it just for curiosities sake. I am now left wondering (if I didn't ask before) if Benteke has run that software and if the results come up with the sticker bits he can read surely that last digit or whatever must be there in that result.

 

[Barman58]

You have to remember that an OEM from the large manufacturers is not the same as a small builders OEM They include TWO Product Keys

Due to the use of a SLIC table to pre-authorise the initial, (and any subsequent), install, using the recovery system supplied with systems from Dell, HP, Fujitsu Etc, Magic Jelly Bean, and others, will show the Product Key stored in the SLIC table.

If you use a medium not supplied by the OEM manufacturer, Even a small Builder OEM disk, to perform a clean install, the slic key, found by Magic Jelly Bean previously will not work, you have to enter the product key printed on the COA.

Subsequent uses of Magic Jelly Bean will show the COA Product Key

 

[ICIT2LOL]

You have to remember that an OEM from the large manufacturers is not the same as a small builders OEM They include TWO Product Keys

Ok Nigel so if I understand it correctly if I build an OEM machine the MJB will return the COA for the copy I installed.
Now when say Asus install en mass they have a licence (? product key) to put the secondary COA on their machines which are unique to that machine.

I did buy a downgraded Asus ROG and it took me five months of nagging to get the seller to give me that unique COA because all I had was that ridiculous Windows 8 Pro sticker on the bottom. I did eventually manage to install a 7 Pro ISO using that COA they gave me and it leaves me wondering why such sellers or makers cannot give one that unique product key for future use if problems arise.

 

[Barman58]

The SLIC table Keys are not Usually "unique" keys, they are usually a default Key and the licensing is handles by other means, (TPM Chip in most cases these days]

With the ROG series from Asus, and other Specialist, user focused, semi custom items it's not unusual for individual keys to be used to allow for special requirements.

Downgrade keys were always a special case, normally reserved for business systems, but they were used and agreed by Microsoft, for some consumer products, The special COA you have should have been either baked into the TPM, or affixed to the system Case

 

[ICIT2LOL]

(TPM Chip in most cases these days]

Seems like they have it so sewn up now eh?

My current work laptop another Asus - P2520LA came with that daft 8 sticker as well because it is a downgrade and I suppose I am lucky because MJB gave me a product key that worked with an install I did from an ISO I have got because the original drive was a spinner and I jut had to put a SSD in to ave my sanity (whats left of it).

Anyway I think Windows has lost the plot and I am trying to catch up on the little I know about Linux - again free and bundled with loads of great software so it makes one realise how much money MS are making from their products. Justa by the by I tried to install Office 2010 onto this machine after taking it off the old machine but they won't let me activate it - just want extar money to do it - thank heavens for Libre office

 

[Benteke]

Look I think that this whole issue/process is so convoluted and hard to just be able to get a system up and running again it sort of smacks of buyer beware eh?

Yeah, the next Win machine I own will be custom built (not store purchased) and I'll purchase a retail copy of whatever OS I use.

Now the Magic Jelly Bean has on all occasions given me the COA as per sticker because I tried it just for curiosities sake. I am now left wondering (if I didn't ask before) if Benteke has run that software and if the results come up with the sticker bits he can read surely that last digit or whatever must be there in that result.

The number which shows up in MJB is COMPLETELY different than the number on the OEM sticker. I mean, they don't even slightly resemble one another.


When I initially phoned Fujitsu support, the gentleman who received the call seemed completely computer illiterate. It sounded like he was reciting some type of "cookie cutter" response that they probably provide to everyone calling for tech related inquiries. Eventually, I asked to speak to a 'higher up' to which he responded, I'll have a 'senior tech' return your call either tomorrow or the following day. No one ever called back! In the end, I'm partially responsible since I chose to purchase a Fujitsu brand computer. That said, it is what it is and that's why I've come here! With all the knowledgeable folks around here, I figure I can eventually get this sorted out and if not, I always have the option of using the restore disks. I'd just rather avoid the bloatware which accompanies that method.

 

[Barman58]

The basic state of the matter is as you do not have a way of recovering the Windows 7 that came on the system using a fujitzu partition on the system or a set of recovery disks.

You therefore need a valid copy of windows 7 to install on the system. Option 1 would be the purchase of disks from fujitzu. Option 2 is to obtain a Microsoft disk and install from this.
Option 1 will not require a key as it will use the key teported by MJF.
Option 2 will use the other key that is on the device itself.

The issue here is that disks for this purpose are no longer available from Microsoft.

Disks are available to purchase online but reliable legal copies are around 2 to 3 times the fujitzu disk.

Best option is to see if anyone you know has a disk for the same on version as yours that is not from the likes of dell or similar large companies. This may be used with the COA key.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

It sounded like he was reciting some type of "cookie cutter" response

Yes well I think most of those "support" centres are just farmed out call centres that run with a script. We have a similar situation out here with the national ISP carrier and it is very frustrating to be sent onto the next operator or their "supervisor" and so on etc

Pity about the MJB though it worked for me. Now I cannot remember if I mentioned before about a factory reset it does mean that you will have to start from scratch after saving whatever data you can. You can do that by doing it direct or using a Linux based system to recover the data.

 

[Benteke]

The basic state of the matter is as you do not have a way of recovering the Windows 7 that came on the system using a fujitzu partition on the system or a set of recovery disks.

You therefore need a valid copy of windows 7 to install on the system.

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned on previous that I DO have restore disks (which I created when I purchased the laptop), and that I also have a Win7 SP1 x64 .ISO (from SGT Oddball).... I've already used the restore disks I created, so I know they work (kind of). See details here! So, I don't need a copy of W7, I have two already!

I've not yet used the x64.iso from SGT Oddball but was thinking of using it for my next reinstall, hence my original inquiry regarding that ONE odd looking character on my OEM sticker.

With that said, I think I may have figured out what that character is. The character in question is #21 of 25. While looking @ the OEM sticker # and the MJB # side by side, I noticed that the #21 character given by MJB is X. So my thinking is that the 'real' character on the OEM is most likely R because the character shown looks like a hybrid between the two (top portion of R, bottom portion of X). That's my thinking anyway.

 

[derekimo]

Not trying to burst your bubble but there is no way MJB knows what is on that COA sticker unless you used that key to install previously.

Comparing the OEM SLP key that MJB is reading to the completely different COA key is not really going to help, but considering that character resembles an X it's certainly worth trying. It would be coincidence if it was though.