On computers and other devices running Windows 8, product keys are stored in the registry and checked each time Windows boots and updates are installed. You can find your product key in Windows 8 in several ways, including searching the registry, applying for a replacement key from Microsoft, and using a third-party program such as Product Key Finder or Windows 8 Product Key Viewer.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Search the registry
Step 1. Press the Win + R keys on your Windows 8 computer
The Run dialog box will open.
Step 2. Enter "regedit" in the Run dialog box and click "OK"
The Windows Registry Editor window should open.
Step 3. Navigate to the following subkey in Registry Editor: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion
This folder contains a number of Windows settings for your computer.
Step 4. Right click on the "ProductId" parameter and select "Modify"
Step 5. The number displayed on the screen will be the Windows 8 product key
Step 6. Make a note of your Windows 8 product key and click Cancel to avoid accidentally changing it
Method 2 of 4: Request a new key from Microsoft
Step 1. Contact Microsoft Customer Support Services by calling 8-800-200-8001 and contact a Microsoft representative
If Windows 8 came preinstalled on your computer or other device, contact your computer manufacturer directly to request a new product key. Go to the official website of the hardware manufacturer to find information on how to change the key
Step 2. Explain that you want to get a new product key for Windows 8
A Microsoft representative may ask you for your name and contact information, as well as information about your Windows 8 device.
Step 3. Wait for the representative to provide you with a new product key
A representative will also guide you through activating your product key on your Windows 8 device.
Step 4. Log into Windows 8 as an administrator and open a command prompt
Step 5. Type "slmgr / upk" into the command line and press "Enter"
This command will remove the obsolete product key.
Step 6. Enter “slmgr / ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX” into the command line, replacing X with your new product key
This will install a new product key on your computer, and a pop-up message will appear on the screen to confirm that the key has been successfully updated.
Method 3 of 4: Using iSunShare's Product Key Finder
Step 1. Open the iSunShare Product Key Finder home page by going to this address
www.isunshare.com/product-key-finder.html.
Step 2. Download the trial version or buy the full version of Product Key Finder
iSunShare offers users the option to buy the software or try it out for free for a 30-day period.
Step 3. Follow the instructions on the screen to install Product Key Finder on your computer and launch the program after installation
Step 4. Click on “Start Recovery” in the main Product Key Finder window
The program will automatically find your Windows 8 product key and display it on the screen.
Step 5. Make a note of your Windows 8 Product Key or click Save to save it to a text file
The text file will contain the keys of all programs on the computer.
Method 4 of 4: Using Windows 8 Product Keyer Viewer
Step 1: Open the Windows 8 Product Key Viewer home page on Softpedia by going to this address
www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Info/Windows-8-Product-Key-Viewer.shtml. This program is compatible with all versions of Windows including Windows 8.
Step 2. Download and save the Product Key Viewer zip file on your desktop
Step 3. Double click on the zip archive to extract its contents and then double click on the file named "pkeyui.exe"
Step 4. Click “Run” on the window
The program will automatically find your Windows 8 product key. No further action is required from you.
