How to change the product key on Windows 10

Windows 10 requires activation to verify you’re running a genuine copy; a unique product key is used to ensure the a single licensed copy of Windows isn’t being used on more than are allowed.

Occasionally, you may have to change the product key. If you’re getting Windows 10 for the first time and a product key wasn’t provided during the installation, or a generic key was used to upgrade, you’ll need a new valid product key to activate the operating system.

In this Windows 10 guide, you’ll learn five ways to bring up the Windows activation tool to change the product key on your computer.

How to change Windows 10’s product key using Settings

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & security.
3. Click on Activation.

Click the Change product key link.

Click Next to complete the process.

If the activation process completes successfully, you’ll get the «Windows is activated» message.

How to change Windows 10’s product key using Control Panel

Use the Windows key + X keyboard shortcut to open the Power User menu and select System.

Click the Change product key link under the Windows activation section.

Click Next to complete the process.

Similar to the Settings app, if the activation process completes successfully, you’ll get the «Windows is activated» message.

How to change Windows 10’s product key using Command Prompt

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Search for Command Prompt.
3. Right-click the result and select Run as administrator.

Type the following command using your 25-digit product key and press Enter:

If you typed the product key correctly and the process completes successfully, you’ll see a dialog box reading «Installed product key YOURP-RODUC-TKEYX-XXXXX-XXXXX successfully.»

How to change Windows 10’s product key using SLUI 3

1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
2. Type slui.exe 3 and click OK to open the Windows activation client.

Type the 25-digit product key for the version of Windows 10 you want.

Click Next to complete the task.

If the activation process completes successfully, you’ll get the «Windows is activated» message.

How to change Windows 10’s product key using CHANGEPK

1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
2. Type changepk.exe and click OK to open the Windows activation client.

Enter the 25-digit product key for the version of Windows 10 you want.

Click Next to complete the task.

If the activation process completes successfully, you’ll get the «Windows is activated» message.

Alternatively, you can use change the product key using changepk.exe using the Command Prompt as well. Here’s how:

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Search for Command Prompt.
3. Right-click the result and select Run as administrator.

Type the following command using your 25-digit product key and press Enter:

Wrapping things up

While for the most part, you’ll be using the Settings app to change the product key on Windows 10, if the option isn’t available or if you’re looking to create a script to change the product key on your computer, it’s good to have different alternatives.

If you’re trying to upgrade the operating system by purchasing a new license from the Windows Store, everything regarding the product key will be handled automatically for you.

Also, remember that you must be signed in with an administrator account to change your system’s product key, and you’ll need an internet connection to complete the activation.

In the case, you recently made significant hardware changes to your PC, and Windows 10 won’t activate, you can use the Activation Troubleshooter to re-activate your copy of Windows 10.

Although this guide is specific to Windows 10, the Control Panel, slui.exe, and slmgr.vbs methods that we’re showing you here will work to change the product key on Windows 8.1 or Windows 7.

More Windows 10 resources

For more help articles, coverage, and answers on Windows 10, you can visit the following resources:

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[How To] Change Windows 7 Product Key Using Command Prompt

2 Comments · Published: December 1, 2011 · 05:24 PM \\ Applies to: How To, Windows 7

Windows 7 advanced users have must noticed this that they can change the product key of their copy using command prompt. There is an easy method to do so. This is an alternating way for what we do using System Properties.

How To : Change Windows 7 Product Key Using Command Prompt

If you are good in command line then you must try this. The method is as follows:

1. Open administrative Command Prompt.

3. Now type the following command and hit Enter:

slmgr.vbs -ipk YOUR PRODUCT KEY

4. If the above entered key is new, type the following command and hit Enter key:

slmgr.vbs -ato YOUR PRODUCT KEY

About Kapil Arya

Kapil is presently a Microsoft MVP in Windows IT Pro expertise. He is Windows Insider MVP as well, and author of ‘Windows Group Policy Troubleshooting’ book. In 2015, Microsoft India accomplished him as ‘Windows 10 Champion’. Being passionate Windows blogger, he loves to help others on fixing their system issues. You can follow him for news/updates and fixes for Windows.

actually there is a alternative of it … type using windows 7 search type slui and search it.. you will get an application. use it to change the product key.

Yes, it is also a good alternative 🙂

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How to change Windows 10 product key

If you need to change the product key of the installed OS, for example. suppose you have installed Windows 10 initially with a generic key, and then wish to change it to an authentic key that you purchased, this can be done quickly without reinstalling. You don’t need any third party tools or complex Registry tweaks. Note: This trick also works in Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Follow the steps below.

Change the product key in Windows 10

1. Open an elevated command prompt. See: How to open elevated command prompt in Windows 10.
2. Type the following command to install a new product key and press Enter:

Replace «111» with your actual product key.

To activate Windows after changing the key, you need to run the following command:

Wait for a few seconds and the check System Properties window in Control Panel\System and Security\System. It should say that Windows 10 is activated.
That’s it.

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About Sergey Tkachenko

Sergey Tkachenko is a software developer from Russia who started Winaero back in 2011. On this blog, Sergey is writing about everything connected to Microsoft, Windows and popular software. Follow him on Telegram, Twitter, and YouTube.

24 thoughts on “ How to change Windows 10 product key ”

Excellent one, Sergey. I updated with Windows 10 tech preview with my Windows 8 authentic product key. Thank you. 🙂

heh, you are welcome 🙂

hello,
i got problem when i try to enter my genuie OEM key i het message: ERROR: 0xC004F050 Software Lisence Service reported that key is invalid. What i have to do ? Try to replaced key by slui, by this command and ms toolkit/kmsspico. Nothing helped. Please contact me by mail.

I had to use slmgr.vbs /ipk instead of -ipk. Not sure if this is a new Windows 10 thing, I’ve been used to – instead of /

Thanks! I had to use this in Windows 10 (worked just like you listed with the -ipk). When I tried to change my product key using the standard Settings – Activation – Change Key I kept hearing a chime but nothing came up. Almost as if the dialog was appearing behind my window but there was no indication of it or any way to switch to it.

This worked like a charm. 🙂

am using windows 10 home sibgle lang x64 but the slmgr did not activate it but it was able to change d product key

error msg;
no key management service could be contacted

run cmd as administrator

Hi,
Yes, You’re method worked for me . Thank you for awesome post.

nice information about how to change windows 10 product key thanks for sharing

Please provide me another product key of windows 10 pro

I purchased a Win10 Pro install DVD with an SSD from an authorized retailer. Upon scratching the concealment sticker on the micro COA, it damaged some of the characters to make them illegible. The OS is installed but cannot be activated. I’ve called Microsoft technical support, but they have been of no help at all. Suggestions (without spending money again for same OS)?

Which code ou want to tell?

my computer is coming up with window expire soon activation key I try activating it is not working I will appreciate if you help me out thanks

i has tried to deactivated windows license’s, i filled again use same license and “eror product not found”. am i lose my windows license. could you help to maked my windows license activated again. thanks

I cant change my product key

does this work with windows ten pro “slmgr.vbs -ato” because am getting this message
“activating windows(R), professional edition
(4de7cb65-cdf1-4de9-8ae8-e3cce27b9f2c)…
Error: 0×80072EE7 On a computer running Microsoft Windows non-core
edition, run ‘slui.exe 0×2a 0×80072EE7’ to display the error text

Type slui.exe 0×2a 0×80072EE7 in the Win+R (Run) Dialog and see what it says.

Dear Sergey, I apreciate ++ your contribution.
I want to move a virtualbox machine with windows 10 retail between 2 real physical computers
That virtualbox machine has in the past been activated at least once via internet with those physical computers (at diferent times). It never resided in both physical machine at the same time.
I want to use your method to move the virtual machine between those 2 physical computers without having to need an internet connection.
Does:
slmgr.vbs -ato
require an internet connection to activate or will it even succeed offline in this case?

it depends on the activation server you use. Microsoft’s servers are on the internet.

Since I am using microsoft server then I would need the internet.
But I am wondering: when I will be moving it will I need to reactivate it? (Windows 10 is on the virtual machine on physical computer A and I am moving the virtual machine to physical computer B (file transfer))
Does the activation algorithm of Microsoft use the serial number of the physical computer and/or the serial number of the physical drive or does it only use the virtual machine network mac (which will remain the same)?
Even if it uses the serial number of the physical computer and/or drive, will the changes be considered significant enough (even if mac remains the same) for windows to request that it be reactivated?

It will require you to re-activate it due to hardware changes.