Why Is My Windows 10 Product Key Not Working?
There are many operating systems available today, but the Windows operating system is the most widely used across the world. Although Windows is popular and user-friendly, it is not free software. To use Windows legally, users must activate it with a genuine Windows product key.
If Windows is not activated, users may see activation messages or watermarks on the desktop. In addition, some personalization features—such as changing the desktop background or adjusting screen brightness—may be restricted. Therefore, it is important to use Windows with a genuine and activated product key.
How to Find Your Windows 10 Product Key Using Command Prompt
Recently, I faced a Windows product key activation issue on my computer. It was running Windows 10 Home, and I noticed a watermark at the bottom-right corner of the desktop that said:
“Activate Windows
Go to Settings to activate Windows”
Because Windows was not activated, I was unable to change the wallpaper or reduce the screen brightness. This made it clear that activation was required.
Step-by-Step Guide to Retrieve Windows Product Key
To resolve this issue, I decided to retrieve the existing Windows product key using Command Prompt, a method I have used successfully many times before.
Steps:
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Open Command Prompt as Administrator
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Type the following command and press Enter:
wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey.png)
This command displays the original Windows product key that is embedded in the system firmware.
After running the command, I was able to retrieve the installed Windows product key successfully.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Type the following command and press Enter:
.png)
This command displays the original Windows product key that is embedded in the system firmware.
After running the command, I was able to retrieve the installed Windows product key successfully.
Don’t Have a Genuine Windows Product Key?
If you don’t already have a genuine Windows product key, it’s important to purchase one from a trusted and authorized seller to avoid activation problems in the future.
👉 Buy a Genuine Windows 10 Product Key from a trusted source
(Using a genuine license ensures security updates, full features, and long-term stability.)
Reinstalling Windows 10 Using a Bootable USB
After retrieving the product key, I decided to perform a fresh installation of Windows.
I created a bootable USB drive using RUFUS and installed Windows 10 Professional by booting from the USB drive. The installation process completed successfully without any issues.
(Before reinstalling Windows, it’s always recommended to back up your important data using an external hard drive or backup tool.)
How to Activate Windows 10 and Fix Activation Problems
Once the installation was complete, I went to Settings → Activation and entered the Windows product key that I had retrieved earlier. The activation process completed successfully, and Windows was fully activated.
After activation:
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The watermark disappeared
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Personalization features were restored
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The system worked normally again
My Windows activation problem was finally solved.
Learn More About Windows Activation
For official and detailed information, you can also refer to Microsoft’s official Windows activation guide.
Final Thoughts
Using Windows without activation can limit important features and affect the overall user experience. If you’re facing similar issues, retrieving your product key or reinstalling Windows with a genuine license can help resolve activation problems effectively.