How to Find Your Windows Product Key Using Show Key Plus
If you’re like me, at some point late at night, maybe 2am after a bunch of trial-and-error, you realize you need your Windows key — maybe to reinstall, reactivate, or just have it saved somewhere. The thing is, Windows and Microsoft have gotten pretty sneaky about hiding these keys. They don’t really make it straightforward like they used to. But, I found a way around all that without opening up the case or digging through some confusing docs. Especially useful if you’re reinstalling Windows or migrating to a new motherboard, since sometimes you need that key, or at least proof of your license. Honestly, it took me a few tries to get it right, and I definitely hit dead ends, so here’s what finally worked for me.
Getting Show Key Plus from the Microsoft Store
First thing’s first — you need to download Show Key Plus from the Microsoft Store. Opening the Store is usually simple: hit the Win key, type “Microsoft Store”, and press Enter. Sometimes, I forget where it is if I haven’t used it in a while, but it’s usually there in the taskbar search or in your apps list. Once you’re in, use the search box (top right or the magnifying glass) to look for Show Key Plus. Just type it in, and it should come up pretty quick. There’s a chance it might be a little hidden among other apps or suggestions, so make sure you’re clicking on the real deal from Microsoft—there are some fake apps out there.
Installing and Opening the App
This part felt weird. There’s a blue button that says Get — click it. Sometimes it updates to say Install or Download. Microsoft can be inconsistent depending on how their store updates, so don’t get thrown off. The app will download in the background; you might see a spinning icon or progress bar for a bit. Once done, a button will appear that says Open. Click that, and if Windows asks for permissions or your Microsoft account login, just go through it. Your login isn’t really required to get the key, but sometimes the app needs to verify your Microsoft account to access embedded license info. If it asks for permission, you’ll probably just have to click yes or allow it.
Using Show Key Plus to Retrieve Your Windows Key
When you open Show Key Plus, it scans your system for installed product keys and license info. For most folks, it shows the key that’s currently active on your machine. Sometimes, the key is displayed in simple text — great! Other times, it might be buried in a list or under a specific section like “Installed Keys”. What’s crucial — if your system uses UEFI/BIOS firmware (which is common nowadays), Show Key Plus can detect a key stored there, especially if it’s an OEM system. You might see it in plain text, or maybe you’ll just get a masked string. For newer systems, the key might be stored in the firmware and not easily visible, but Show Key Plus can sometimes pull it if all goes well.
Worth noting: OEM keys are usually tied to the motherboard and might not be transferable or match the sticker on your PC. Also, if you see a generic or blank key, don’t panic. Your Windows might be activated via digital license linked to your Microsoft account, not a local key. In that case, you don’t need to worry much — the system activates automatically when online.
Extra Tips & Troubleshooting
If the key is missing or looks weird, it could be because of how your PC is configured. Sometimes, especially on OEM machines, the actual product key is stored in the firmware and only shows when asked. Also, if your Windows says “Digital License” or just activates automatically, the local key might not be stored on your drives in a way that show Key Plus recognizes. To check activation type, go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation. If it says “Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account,” then you generally don’t need the actual product key for reinstallation. Microsoft’s servers handle activation behind the scenes.
If Show Key Plus isn’t revealing anything useful, or the key looks invalid, you can also try running wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey from an elevated Command Prompt — sometimes that pulls the key directly from BIOS or EFI firmware. Keep in mind, OEM keys may be stored temporarily and are sometimes non-transferable if you swap hardware.
Wrapping Up
Honestly, retrieving your Windows product key isn’t always straightforward anymore. There are multiple places it could be: stored in firmware, linked to your Microsoft account, or embedded somewhere else. Show Key Plus works pretty well if your system keeps the key in a compatible format, but it’s not a magic wand. Just remember: OEM keys are often motherboard-specific, so don’t rely on it if you plan to upgrade or reuse on a different machine. Also, if you’re just trying to verify activation status, Windows’ built-in activation page or running slmgr /dlv in admin CMD can give you extra info.
My advice? Double-check whether your system is linked to your Microsoft account and whether activation is showing as digital license or key-based. Make sure Show Key Plus is up to date, because sometimes updates fix detection issues. And of course, always backup your license info if you manage to pull it — it’ll save some hassle down the line.
Hope this helped — it took me way too long to figure this out, especially with all the updates messing with stuff. Anyway, hope this saves someone else a weekend or at least a good chunk of frustration. Good luck!