This wikiHow teaches you how to find the 25 character Windows 8 product code in several methods. If you can get into the operating system, you can find the code using the Command Prompt, Windows PowerShell, or a free application called ProduKey. If your computer won't load your operating system, you can find the code on a sticker on your computer hardware, DVD packaging (if you purchased Windows separately), or in email (if you purchased Windows online through the Microsoft site). If you can't get the code with any of these methods, you can buy a replacement code for $10 from Microsoft.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Finding the Product Code When You Can't Sign In to Windows
Step 1. Locate the sticker on the computer
Since Windows 8, Microsoft no longer requires attaching a certificate of authenticity sticker to computers that have Windows 8 installed from the start. However, some PC manufacturers place their own stickers on some models, and these stickers may display a 25-character product code. If you have a desktop computer, look for the sticker on the central processing unit (CPU) section, and not on the screen. If you are using a laptop, check the bottom of the unit or the back of the battery cover.
- If you can get into Windows 8, you can use other methods to quickly find the product code.
- The product code is 5 series of 5 characters separated by hyphens (eg XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX).
Step 2. Check the Windows 8 DVD packaging
If you purchased a physical copy of Windows 8 on DVD, the product code is usually listed on the DVD packaging or case. The code may also be printed on a piece of paper or a card that came with the purchase package.
Step 3. Check your email if you purchased Windows 8 from the internet
Did you buy Windows 8 directly from the Microsoft website? If so, you can find the 25-digit product code in the confirmation email from Microsoft.
Step 4. Connect the Windows hard drive to another computer
If you can't start your computer, but the hard drive that contains Windows 8 is still working, you can use a free product called ProduKey to get or find the product code of that drive. To use it:
- Remove the Windows hard drive from the damaged PC. Read the article on how to remove a hard drive to find out how.
- Connect the drive to another computer as a secondary (slave) drive. One easy way to do this is to first install the drive in an external hard drive bay, then connect it to another computer.
- Follow the steps shown to download and run ProduKey in this method: Using ProduKey.
- After ProduKey is run, press the F9 key to display the “Select Source” menu.
- Select the radio button next to the "Load the product keys of external Windows installations from all disks currently plugged to your computer" option.
- Click " OK ” to display the product code. The code from the Windows 8 hard drive will be displayed next to the text " Windows 8 ".
Step 5. Contact Microsoft for a new product code
If you're still having trouble finding the product code, you can purchase a replacement code for $10 from a Microsoft support agent. Follow these steps:
- Call +1 (800) 936-5700. The number is Microsoft's paid support service (about $40-60 per complaint), but you won't be charged a complaint fee if you just want to buy a replacement product code.
- Follow the operator's instructions to contact the agent who handles product code issues.
- Notify the Microsoft representative that you cannot access the Windows 8 product code. State the information that the agent asks for, such as the computer serial number (if Windows 8 is preinstalled on the PC), information from the Windows 8 DVD (if you have a physical copy of the operating system).), and credit card details after the request has been processed.
- Write down the product code as read by the agent. Read the code again to make sure you've written the code correctly.
- Follow the additional activation instructions provided by the agent. You may be transferred to another department to activate the code before it can be used.
Method 2 of 4: Using Command Prompt
Step 1. Press Win+S to display the Windows search bar
You can also open the search bar by clicking the magnifying glass icon on the Charms menu.
Step 2. Type cmd into the search bar
A list of matching search results will be displayed.
Step 3. Right-click Command prompt on the search results
The menu will expand afterwards.
Step 4. Click Run as administrator
A Command Prompt window will open after that.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for allowing the computer to open applications, follow the instructions on the screen
Step 5. Type in the product code search command
The command is: wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey.
Step 6. Press Enter
In a few seconds, a 25 character product code will be displayed under the text " OA3xOriginalProductKey ".
Method 3 of 4: Using ProduKey
Step 1. Visit
If you can get into Windows 8 on a computer, you can use ProduKey to display a 25 character product code without special permissions.
Step 2. Swipe the screen and click on the download link
For English, click “ Download ProduKey (In Zip File) ” (for 32 bit systems) or “ Download ProduKey for x64 ” (64 bit system) above the table at the bottom of the page. You can also download apps in other languages by selecting the desired language from the table.
The downloaded file will be saved to your computer's download storage location (usually the “Downloads” folder)
Step 3. Right-click the downloaded file and select Extract Here
The file is usually named Produkey-x64.zip. The contents of the ZIP file will be extracted to a folder with the same name (without the ".zip" extension at the end of the file name).
Step 4. Open a new folder and double click ProduKey.exe
The application will run and the Windows 8 product code will be displayed next to the "Windows 8" entry.
Method 4 of 4: Using Windows PowerShell
Step 1. Press Win+S key to open the Windows search bar
You can also display the search bar by clicking the magnifying glass icon on the Charms menu.
Step 2. Type in powershell and press Enter
If you are not logged into an administrator account, you may be prompted for an administrator password at this stage.
Step 3. Type or paste the product code search command
The command to enter is (Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService'). OA3xOriginalProductKey.
To paste the copied command into PowerShell, simply right-click the window
Step 4. Press Enter
After a few seconds, the Windows 8 product code will appear on the next line.
