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

 

[drboys]

I ran the key finder Showkey Plus and it returned a product key number different from the product key number on the sticker on the side of my desktop unit. I bought the computer new from Best Buy. I tried the Check Product Key option and input the number from the sticker and it returned the correct product.

I'm having problems installing SP1 and in another thread am getting help to resolve that issue. One potential solution appears to be a clean install. Since I'm showing two product keys, will this be an issue? Which should I use if I end up having to re-install Win 7?

 

[derekimo]

I ran the key finder Showkey Plus and it returned a product key number different from the product key number on the sticker on the side of my desktop unit. I bought the computer new from Best Buy. I tried the Check Product Key option and input the number from the sticker and it returned the correct product.

I'm having problems installing SP1 and in another thread am getting help to resolve that issue. One potential solution appears to be a clean install. Since I'm showing two product keys, will this be an issue? Which should I use if I end up having to re-install Win 7?

That's exactly how it should be, the key that isn't the one on the sticker is only used by the manufacturer, you can't use it to do a clean install, it's on thousands of PC's if not more.

If you want or need to do a clean install or even a repair install you need to use the key on the COA sticker, that is unique to your machine and the only one that will activate legally.

You shouldn't have any problems using the key on the COA sticker.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hmm that is odd Derek as I run the Showkey and MJB and I get the exact code on both and the code I got from the retailer because this machine was a downgrade to 7 from 8.1 - does that make a difference??

 

[derekimo]

Hmm that is odd Derek as I run the Showkey and MJB and I get the exact code on both and the code I got from the retailer because this machine was a downgrade to 7 from 8.1 - does that make a difference??

Yes that makes a difference John.

 

[profdlp]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but I just ran both Magical Jelly Bean Finder and ShowKey and they both showed a placeholder for my Win7 key. (BBBBB-BBBBB-...)

Any advice?

I'm looking to do a reinstall and want to make sure I use the right one. I do have a list of keys, but I was a student for several years and got several copies through the MS student program. I kept a folder with all the receipts but am not 100% sure which one I need to use for my main machine.

 

[torchwood]

Hi ProfDLP,

Thats a MAK key, which makes sense as you got it via your college.
MS had to create these along side volume keys for NON-EUFI installs


Try the MGdiag tool, it may provide the last 3 blocks, then youll know
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=52012

If it doesnt PM Superfly on W10, he might have another version that can retrieve the key.


Roy

 

[profdlp]

Thank you, torchwood, that did the trick!

It gave me the last five characters, confirming that my old notes were still accurate. (I graduated five years ago.)

Now I have to make sure I use the right disc. I thought I had marked it but after four moves I may have set it aside and...well, you know how that goes. I have images of all the downloads I got through the student program and had tried to match the keys to them as I got the various software through the program, but apparently not that one. Most of the ones I got were used in various VM's for school projects. One of the programs I tried for the key gave me a product number, so with a little sleuthing I am sure I can figure it out.

MS has (or at least had) a very generous program for bona fide students. During my time in school I got lots of freebies. I had a paid-for copy of W7pro upgrade but the last time I went to use it for a repair install it didn't like it. (Perhaps because I had slipstreamed SP1 in there?) I grabbed a free full version I got cheap through school ($30) and used that. Then over the next few years I found out I could buy another copy. Too much of a good thing can be almost as bad as not enough, I guess.