Find & transfer your Windows product key

Two questions come up constantly: 'Where do I find my Windows product key?' and 'Can I move my license to a new computer?' Both have clear answers once you know your license type. Here is how to find your key in seconds and what you are allowed to do with it.

Find & transfer your Windows product key

Two questions come up constantly: 'Where do I find my Windows product key?' and 'Can I move my license to a new computer?' Both have clear answers once you know your license type. Here is how to find your key in seconds and what you are allowed to do with it.

How to find your Windows product key

On a running PC, you can read the key stored in the firmware with a single command. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell as administrator and run:

  1. Click Start, type 'cmd', right-click Command Prompt and choose 'Run as administrator'.
  2. Paste the command above and press Enter.
  3. If a key appears, that is your firmware-embedded (OEM) key.
  4. For retail keys, check your purchase confirmation email or invoice – that is the authoritative source.

OEM vs. Retail: the crucial difference

License typeTied toTransfer to a new PC?
OEMThe original deviceNo – it stays with that PC
RetailYou (the buyer)Yes – move it to another PC

How to transfer a retail license to a new PC

  1. On the old PC, you can deactivate/remove the product key (slmgr /upk) to free the license.
  2. On the new PC, go to Settings → System → Activation → Change product key.
  3. Enter your retail key and activate.
  4. If online activation is blocked, use the phone activation option Windows offers.

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The bottom line

Finding your key takes one command; transferring it depends entirely on whether it is OEM (stays with the PC) or retail (moves with you). If you are setting up a new machine and your old license is OEM, a fresh retail Windows license is the clean, fully transferable solution.

Buying in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

At KeyVano you can buy genuine software licenses across the DACH region: Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The licenses are valid internationally and are not tied to any country – you get the same prices, the same instant delivery by email and the same support everywhere. Whether you order from Vienna, Zurich, Berlin or anywhere else, the process is identical and free of country-specific restrictions.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find my Windows product key?

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run: wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey. This shows the OEM key in your firmware. For retail keys, check your purchase confirmation or invoice.

Can I transfer my Windows license to a new PC?

Only retail licenses are transferable. OEM licenses are permanently tied to the original device and cannot be moved.

What's the difference between OEM and retail Windows?

OEM is bound to the PC it first activated and stays with it. Retail belongs to you and can be deactivated on one PC and activated on another.

What if online activation fails after a transfer?

Windows offers a phone activation option for cases where online activation is blocked, for example after significant hardware changes. Follow the on-screen phone activation steps.

Can I order from Austria or Switzerland too?

Yes. KeyVano delivers software licenses to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Delivery is instant by email everywhere, prices are the same for all countries, and the license keys work worldwide without regional locks.

Step by step

  1. Find your current key: Open Command Prompt as admin and run wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey to read an embedded OEM key, or check your purchase email for a retail key.
  2. Deactivate on the old PC: For a transferable retail licence, remove the key from the old PC with slmgr /upk in an admin Command Prompt before moving it.
  3. Enter the key on the new PC: On the new PC go to Settings > Activation > Change product key and enter the same key.
  4. Activate and verify: Confirm to activate online. If blocked, use the Activation troubleshooter and sign in with your Microsoft account to reactivate.