Many laptops and pre-built PCs that originally shipped with Windows have a Windows product key embedded in the computer's firmware. This key is stored in the motherboard's UEFI firmware and can often be retrieved directly from Windows without using third-party software.
What Is a BIOS/UEFI-Embedded Windows Key?
Modern PCs generally use UEFI firmware rather than the traditional BIOS. Manufacturers can store an OEM Windows product key in the firmware during manufacturing.
This means the key can remain available even after Windows has been reinstalled, provided the motherboard containing the embedded key is still being used.
The firmware key is separate from the activation state of the currently installed Windows system. A PC can have an embedded OEM key while Windows is currently activated using a digital license or a different product key.
How to Check for the Embedded Product Key
You can retrieve the firmware-embedded key using PowerShell.
Method 1: PowerShell
- Open PowerShell.
- Run the following command:
(Get-CimInstance -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKeyIf an OEM product key is embedded in the firmware, Windows should display the 25-character key.
Method 2: Command Prompt
You can also check from Command Prompt using:
wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKeyOn versions of Windows where WMIC is available, the command will display the embedded key if one is present.
What If No Product Key Is Displayed?
If the command returns only:
OA3xOriginalProductKeywith nothing underneath it, Windows was unable to retrieve a firmware-embedded OEM key.
This does not necessarily mean that Windows is not activated. The computer may instead be activated through a digital license, or its original Windows license may have been supplied through another method.
OEM Key vs. Current Windows Key vs. Digital License
It is important to distinguish between three different things:
- Firmware/OEM product key: The original Windows product key stored in the computer's UEFI firmware by the manufacturer.
- Current product key: The key currently installed or being used by Windows.
- Digital license: A Windows activation entitlement that does not necessarily have a recoverable 25-character product key.
For example, a computer can contain an OEM Windows key in its firmware while the installed Windows edition is activated using a different retail key or a digital license.
Why Recover the Firmware Key?
Retrieving the embedded key can be useful if you want to document the original Windows license that came with a laptop or pre-built PC.
It can also be useful when reinstalling Windows, troubleshooting activation, or keeping a record of the computer's original OEM licensing information.
Important Note
The firmware-embedded key is tied to the motherboard. Replacing the motherboard can therefore affect access to an OEM key stored in its firmware.
Also, the presence of an embedded key does not necessarily mean that Windows will always display or use that key as the currently installed product key. Windows activation can use a digital license or another product key instead.
Conclusion
If your laptop or PC originally came with Windows, it is worth checking whether an OEM product key is stored in its UEFI firmware. The PowerShell command is the simplest method and requires no third-party software:
(Get-CimInstance -query 'select * from SoftwareLicensingService').OA3xOriginalProductKeyIf a 25-character key is returned, you have successfully retrieved the Windows product key embedded in the computer's firmware.