Description

The Microsoft Windows operating system may require entering a unique product key during the installation process.

Product keys are also sometimes called CD keys, key codes, product codes, or installation keys.

Note: Newer versions of Windows may use a digital license. For more information, see Activate Windows.

Applicable Brands

• ThinkPad
• ThinkCentre
• ideapad
• ideacentre
• Lenovo Tablet (Windows System)

Operating Systems

Microsoft Windows

Solution

Microsoft product keys are often located on a product key sticker, as shown in the following example:

Fig.1

If the label does not exist or is damaged, the product key can still be retrieved. Try the following steps:

Finding the Windows Key Without Any Software

1. Launch Notepad. Click Start and type Notepad > click Select.

2. Copy and paste the following into a Notepad window.

Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
MsgBox ConvertToKey(WshShell.RegRead("HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId"))

Function ConvertToKey(Key)
Const KeyOffset = 52
i = 28
Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
Do
Cur = 0
x = 14
Do
Cur = Cur * 256
Cur = Key(x + KeyOffset) + Cur
Key(x + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24) And 255
Cur = Cur Mod 24
x = x -1
Loop While x >= 0
i = i -1
KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput
If (((29 - i) Mod 6) = 0) And (i <> -1) Then
i = i -1
KeyOutput = "-" & KeyOutput
End If
Loop While i >= 0
ConvertToKey = KeyOutput
End Function

Fig.2

3. Select File -> Save As. Change the Save as type to All Files.

4. Name the file productkey.vbs and click Save. It is recommended to save to the desktop for easy access.

5. Once the file has been saved, double-click the file, and the popup window will show the product key.

Note: Pressing Ctrl + C when the popup window is active, copies the contents of the window to the clipboard. This allows pasting into Notepad or somewhere else.

Related Articles

• Windows Support Center
• Why am i prompted to enter product key during Windows 10 upgrade
• Activate Windows