Extract Windows 8 (8.1) Product Key without Software

This tutorial covers everything on how to get or recover the product key of Windows 8 (8.1) version. Users can also approach another way of getting Windows 8 (8.1) Product Key by using few third party software like Belarc Advisor. We have done a video showing step by step procedure on how to find Windows 8 Product Key on a Preinstalled OS using a Software. Learning new things will always upgrade current knowledge. So, try out this method of extracting Windows 8 (8.1) Product Key without using any software.

windows product key without software

How to Find Windows 8.1 Product Key

To explain better, we are splitting this tutorial into 3 steps. Let’s begin the work. 😉

Step 1: Get the right PowerShell Script

In this step, the user needs to collect some script or code from the Microsoft Technet website. We also provided the script here, but keep an eye on Microsoft Technet website if it doesn’t work for you (they updates the code). Here is the script,

function Get-WindowsKey {
## function to retrieve the Windows Product Key from any PC
param ($targets = ".")
$hklm = 2147483650
$regPath = "Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion"
$regValue = "DigitalProductId64"
Foreach ($target in $targets) {
$productKey = $null
$win32os = $null
$wmi = [WMIClass]"\\$target\root\default:stdRegProv"
$data = $wmi.GetBinaryValue($hklm,$regPath,$regValue)
$binArray = ($data.uValue)[52..66]
$charsArray = "B","C","D","F","G","H","J","K","M","P","Q","R","T","V","W","X","Y","2","3","4","6","7","8","9"
## decrypt base24 encoded binary data
For ($i = 24; $i -ge 0; $i--) {
$k = 0
For ($j = 14; $j -ge 0; $j--) {
$k = $k * 256 -bxor $binArray[$j]
$binArray[$j] = [math]::truncate($k / 24)
$k = $k {c7b30aa9d9592c4bbf2e2941f10032306801ed79863eb96c896f90a2ea2e1931} 24
}
$productKey = $charsArray[$k] + $productKey
If (($i {c7b30aa9d9592c4bbf2e2941f10032306801ed79863eb96c896f90a2ea2e1931} 5 -eq 0) -and ($i -ne 0)) {
$productKey = "-" + $productKey
}
}
$win32os = Get-WmiObject Win32_OperatingSystem -computer $target
$obj = New-Object Object
$obj | Add-Member Noteproperty Computer -value $target
$obj | Add-Member Noteproperty Caption -value $win32os.Caption
$obj | Add-Member Noteproperty CSDVersion -value $win32os.CSDVersion
$obj | Add-Member Noteproperty OSArch -value $win32os.OSArchitecture
$obj | Add-Member Noteproperty BuildNumber -value $win32os.BuildNumber
$obj | Add-Member Noteproperty RegisteredTo -value $win32os.RegisteredUser
$obj | Add-Member Noteproperty ProductID -value $win32os.SerialNumber
$obj | Add-Member Noteproperty ProductKey -value $productkey
$obj
}
}
Get-WindowsKey
Get-WindowsKey localhost

Copy the above code and open Notepad then paste the script exactly. Now save the file with name “RecoverKey.ps1“.

Step 2: Run the Saved PowerShell Script

Here comes the second step.

Now open Windows PowerShell by going to Windows Metro Style dashboard (Press Windows button) and search for “PowerShell“. Right click on the application then selects “Run as Administrator“. Hit “Yes” when you prompted with UAC dialog box.

Step 3: Finally, find the Windows 8.1 Product Key

Final step. The user needs to type a couple of commands here. Here you go.

Firstly type the following command on PowerShell

Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned

Type “Y” when it displays “Do you want to change the execution policy” message.

Next, type the second command and hit Enter to extract Pre Installed Product key of Windows 8 Operating System

Import-Module PATH; Get-WindowsKey

How to Get Path of PowerShell Script file?

Right, click on RecoverKey.ps1 file. Move to Properties then switch to “Security” tab. Copy the Object Name path and paste it into PowerShell.

[Updated] If it returns an error like showing product key as “BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB-BBBBB” then follow these updated methods to find Windows 8 Product Key on Preloaded Laptop.

sai praveen
Sai Praveen
Sai Praveen is your technology expert for all devices and platforms. On his website techempty.org, you'll find simple tutorials to fix issues, understand complex topics, and get the most out of your technology. With extensive knowledge on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, Sai has the solutions you need. Put your trust in his expertise.
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32 thoughts on “Extract Windows 8 (8.1) Product Key without Software”

  3. hi

    thanks very much, i had really struggled to activate windows 8.1 pro, but after following your steps, i managed to activate it without any hassles. thanks you very much this was really helpful

    Reply

  6. i changed my windows 7 64bit to windows 8.1 pro build 9600 i have tried to activate it but the last stage of the command is not bring out any result please sir i need help.

    Reply

  7. hi Sai Praveen , I am using windows8 pro build 9200 and third step is not working, it says,

    Import-Module : A positional parameter cannot be found that accepts argument ‘saini\Desktop\RecoverKey.ps1’.

    etc…. Plz reply soon

    Reply

  8. hi there. Can i do this tutorial even in my laptop running windows 8.1 that is not came preinstalled in windows 8.1 pro? i’ve lost my case and i wonder if i can also do this same thing. thank you.

    Reply

    • You can do. But if you believe that the OS installed is genuine, then you will get the product key. Otherwise, it will return you all BBBBB’s

      Reply

  10. The problem is there are missing “\” in some of the commands in the script such as the line:

    $regPath = “SoftwareMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersion”

    where it should be

    $regPath = “Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion”

    Reply

  12. Sir i tried it and i got the key by ur method . But even that product key is not working.What could be the problem?.mine is windows8,1 pr0

    Reply

  13. I’ve tried this entire process and I got a product key. However, upon trying to enter the Key in PC Settings, it gives an error:

    This key didn’t work, please check it and try again, or try a different key

    Reply

  17. Hi Pravin,Good job man just script need to be updated in the above code as ” ” ” is replaced with ",please make the changes,thanks

    Reply

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