1. Microsoft does not store the full Windows product key in plaintext in the registry on modern systems like Windows 10 and 11, but instead saves an encoded version or uses a digital license. 2. The actual key can sometimes be retrieved using the PowerShell command (Get-WmiObject -Query 'SELECT * FROM SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey, which works on OEM systems with firmware-stored keys. 3. If that returns nothing, a PowerShell script can decode the DigitalProductId registry value to reveal a backup key used by Windows. 4. Tools like NirSoft ProduKey can also extract the key but should be used cautiously and offline to avoid security risks. 5. If no key is found, the system likely uses a digital license linked to a Microsoft account, Azure AD, or hardware activation, meaning there is no traditional product key to retrieve, and this is normal for modern Windows activation.

If you need to retrieve your Windows product key from the registry — for example, when reinstalling the OS or troubleshooting activation — it's important to know that Microsoft does not store the full, original product key in plaintext in the registry on modern Windows versions (like Windows 10 and 11). Instead, it stores an encoded version of the key (called a digital product ID or hardware hash), especially if you're using a digital license or a pre-activated OEM system.

However, you can still extract the backup of the product key that Windows uses internally. Here’s how to find it and what to expect.

? What’s Actually Stored in the Registry?

The product key is encoded and stored in the Windows registry under:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

Look for these two registry values:

• DigitalProductId – This contains the encrypted product key information.
• ProductKey – Sometimes present, but often not the full key.

The actual key you originally entered (or that came with your PC) is not stored directly. You’ll need to decode the DigitalProductId to get a readable version.

? How to Extract the Key Using PowerShell (Recommended)

You don’t need third-party tools. Here’s a safe, built-in method using PowerShell:

1. Press Win X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin).
2. Paste the following command and press Enter:

(Get-WmiObject -Query 'SELECT * FROM SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey

?? This command retrieves the original product key if it’s stored in the firmware (OEM systems like Dell, HP, Lenovo) or in the registry backup.

? If your PC came with Windows preinstalled, this usually returns the correct key.

? If it returns nothing, your system may be using a digital license only, and no retrievable product key exists.

? Alternative: Use a Script to Decode DigitalProductId

If the above doesn’t work, you can use a PowerShell script to decode the DigitalProductId:

1. Open Notepad and paste the following script:

function Get-ProductKey {
    $regPath = "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion"
    $values = Get-ItemPropertyValue -Path $regPath -Name "DigitalProductId"
    $lookup = [char[]]("BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789")
    $keyStartOffset = 52
    $keyEndOffset = $keyStartOffset   15
    $decodeLength = 29
    $decodeStringLength = 15
    $digits = New-Object char[]($decodeLength)
    $hexPid = New-Object byte[](15)
    for ($i = 0; $i -lt 15; $i  ) {
        $hexPid[$i] = $values[$i   $keyStartOffset]
    }
    for ($i = $decodeLength - 1; $i -ge 0; $i--) {
        if (($i   1) % 6 -eq 0) {
            $digits[$i] = '-'
        } else {
            $digit = 0
            for ($j = $decodeStringLength - 1; $j -ge 0; $j--) {
                $byte = ($digit * 256) -bor $hexPid[$j]
                $hexPid[$j] = [Math]::Floor($byte / 24)
                $digit = $byte % 24
                $digits[$i] = $lookup[$digit]
            }
        }
    }
    return ($digits -join '')
}
Get-ProductKey

2. Save it as Get-Key.ps1, right-click and run with PowerShell.
3. It will output a decoded product key.

?? Note: This gives you the backup key used by Windows, not necessarily the one you entered. On OEM systems, it should match the sticker or firmware key.

?? Important Notes

• Retail vs. OEM vs. Digital License: Retail keys are more likely to be recoverable. Newer Microsoft accounts-linked activations use digital licenses — no key to show.
• Administrator Rights Required: You need admin access to read these registry values.
• Third-Party Tools (Use with Caution): Tools like ProduKey (NirSoft) can do this too, but always download from official sources to avoid malware.
• You Can’t “Find” a Key That Isn’t There: If Windows activated via digital license or Azure AD, there may be no traditional product key.

Summary

While the product key isn’t stored in plain text, you can retrieve a usable version via:

• PowerShell command: (Get-WmiObject ...).OA3xOriginalProductKey
• Decoding DigitalProductId from the registry
• Trusted tools like NirSoft ProduKey (offline use recommended)

Just remember: no stored key doesn’t mean it’s invalid — modern Windows often relies on digital entitlements instead.

Basically, if the PowerShell command returns a key, you're good. If not, your system likely uses a cloud-linked or hardware-based activation.

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