How to Find and Backup Windows & Office Product Keys (Step-by-Step)

You're about to reinstall Windows, upgrade your hard drive, or buy a new PC. But where's that Windows 11 product key? And what about Microsoft Office? Without your license keys, you might lose access to software you paid for.

Good news: your product keys are still on your computer—even if you've lost the sticker or email. In this guide, you'll learn multiple methods to find, backup, and recover Windows, Office, and other software product keys. Plus, how to save them so you never lose them again.

Can I Find My Windows Product Key on My Computer?

Yes. In most cases, your Windows product key is stored in the system registry or embedded in your motherboard’s BIOS/UEFI firmware. If Windows is still installed, you can retrieve it using built-in commands or a product key recovery tool.

1. Why You Need to Backup Your Product Keys

Product keys are easy to lose but essential for:

• Reinstalling Windows after a crash or upgrade
• Moving software to a new computer
• Reactivating Office after hardware changes
• Selling or donating your old PC (deactivate first)

What About Digital Licenses?

Modern versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11 often use a digital license instead of a traditional 25-character product key. This license is tied to your Microsoft account or hardware ID.

Even if Windows activates automatically after reinstalling, backing up your product key is still recommended for troubleshooting, hardware changes, or transferring retail licenses.

2. The Easiest Way: SterJo Key Finder (Free Tool)

SterJo Key Finder is the fastest, most reliable way to recover all your product keys at once. It's free, portable, and works on Windows XP through Windows 11.

How to Use SterJo Key Finder:

1. Download the tool (installer or portable version)
2. Run it (no installation required for portable) - it scans instantly
3. View all recovered product keys in an organized list
4. Click "Save" button to backup keys to a file

3. Manual Method: Find Windows Key in Registry (Advanced)

If you prefer not to use a tool, you can find your Windows product key in the registry—but it's encoded, requiring extra steps to decode.

The registry stores the key in binary format under the DigitalProductId value. This data must be converted into the standard 25-character format using a decoding algorithm.

Step 1: Open Registry Editor

• Press Windows + R, type regedit, press Enter

Step 2: Navigate to Windows Key Location

Go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

Step 3: Find DigitalProductId

Look for "DigitalProductId" on the right. This binary data contains your encoded product key.

Step 4: Decode the Key

The key is not readable directly. You'll need to:

• Use a VBS script (search online for "product key decoder script")
• Or use a tool like SterJo Key Finder to decode it automatically

4. Using PowerShell (Windows 10/11)

Windows 10 and 11 store the product key in a format that PowerShell can read, but it still requires a script to decode:

Run this PowerShell command:

(Get-WmiObject -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKey

Note: This only works for Windows 8/10/11 OEM keys embedded in BIOS/UEFI. It won't show retail keys or Office keys.

5. Extract OEM Key from BIOS/UEFI

If your PC came with Windows pre-installed, the key is often embedded in the motherboard's firmware. This is common for Windows 8 through 11.

Using Command Prompt:

wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

This will display the embedded key if present. If nothing shows, your PC uses a retail key or a different licensing method.

Product Key Recovery Methods Compared

When a Product Key Cannot Be Recovered

• The system was formatted without backup
• The license is subscription-based (Microsoft 365)
• The software uses online account activation only
• The product uses volume or enterprise licensing

In these cases, activation is handled differently and may not rely on a traditional product key.

6. Recover Product Keys from a Dead or Non-Booting PC

If Windows won't start, you can still recover your keys—as long as the hard drive is accessible. For a full recovery checklist including passwords and Wi-Fi keys, see our Complete Windows Recovery Guide.

Method A: Connect Drive to Another PC

1. Remove the hard drive from the dead PC
2. Connect it to a working PC using a USB hard drive enclosure or SATA-to-USB adapter
3. Download the portable version of SterJo Key Finder
4. Run the tool and select the offline Windows installation when prompted
5. Recover all keys from the dead system

Method B: Boot from a USB Recovery Drive

1. Create a bootable Windows PE or Linux live USB
2. Boot the dead PC from this USB
3. Run the portable version of SterJo Key Finder from the USB
4. Access the internal drive and recover keys

7. How to Backup Your Product Keys Safely

Once you've recovered your keys, store them securely. Here are the best methods:

📚 Related Guides

Never Lose Your Software Licenses Again

Your product keys are valuable—treat them that way. With SterJo Key Finder, you can recover all your keys in seconds and back them up securely. Whether you're preparing for a clean Windows install, upgrading hardware, or just doing spring cleaning, take 5 minutes now to save your keys.

Download SterJo Key Finder Free →

Pro tip: After backing up your keys, store them in a password manager. You'll thank yourself later.