How Do I Find Windows Product Key from a Dead PC? [2024 Guide]

Are you trying to get your Windows product key back from a dead computer? On this page, we'll provide you with four methods to guide you to recover and find Windows product keys from the dead or unbootable computer successfully.

How Can I Recover My Windows 10 Product Key from a Dead PC

Suppose you are having a similar case that your computer or laptop seems dead or suddenly becomes unbootable. In that case, you want to find the Windows product key before system reinstallation, stay here. We'll be showing you the details of how to recover or retrieve the product key of Windows or installed applications from a dead or unbootable computer with ease. 

Let's get started.

4 Ways to Find Windows Product Key from a Dead PC

Here is a list of all possible ways that you can turn to and try each one of them to find a Windows product key from a dead computer or unbootable laptop:

1. #1. COA 
2. #2. Microsoft Account
3. #3. Microsoft Support Team
4. #4. Key Finder

• Supported OS: Windows 11/10/8/1/8/7, XP/Vista, and Windows Servers.
• Applies to: Find Windows product key from a dead or unbootable computer.

#1. Find Windows Product Key of A Dead PC from COA (Certificate of Authenticity)

• Tool: Certificate of Authenticity 
• Duration: 1 minute

The Certificate of Authenticity is also named a COA sticker which often comes with a Windows package. For example, when you purchase a Windows operating system like Windows 7, you'll get a package that includes the system installation CD, a COA sticker, and some documental files. 

The COA sticker is printed with the system product key number. So if you still have this sticker, here is how to find your product key of the dead Windows computer:

Step 1. Take out of the COA sticker.

Step 2. Check and find the Windows product key on the sticker.

#2. Find Windows Product Key of Dead PC from Microsoft Account

• Tool: Microsoft Account, user name, and password.
• Duration: 1-2 minutes.

If you purchased a Windows system from the Microsoft Store, you could follow the steps here to restore the Windows key from your Microsoft Account:

Note that you need to use another healthy computer for help to do so.

Step 1. Open Microsoft Store.

Step 2. Log in with your Microsoft account, enter your user name and password.

Step 3. Go to Downloads > Product Keys.

Step 4. Then check Subscription and click "Digital Content".

You should be able to find your Windows product key below this section.

#3. Call Microsoft Support Team for Finding Windows Key

• Tool: Telephone or email, Microsoft support team.
• Duration: 2-5 minutes or days longer.

The last official way you can try is to contact the Microsoft support team for help. If you can get in touch with the Microsoft support team, their technical staff might help you find the Windows product key for your dead computer.

Step 1. Go to the Microsoft support page.

Step 2. Go and click Support.

Step 3. Tell the support team what happens to your computer and request help.

#4. Use Windows Product Key Viewer - EaseUS Key Finder Software

• Tool: A new computer, a SATA data cable, Windows product key finder software.
• Duration: 5 minutes or so.

Aside from the above three methods, we still have an easy and tricky solution to help you out. All you need is to turn to reliable Windows product key viewer - EaseUS key finder software also named EaseUS Key Finder for help.

Its product key feature enables you to scan and view the product key in only two steps. Here is how to do so:

First, Take Out the OS Drive from Dead PC

You need to uncover the computer case, find the system drive, and take it out of the dead PC.

Next, Connect the System Drive to a New Computer

Then, you'll need a SATA to USB 3.0 adapter to turn your hard drive or SSD into an external hard drive.

Last, Run EaseUS Key Finder Software to Find Windows Product Key

Now, you can run EaseUS Todo Key Finder with its Product Key feature to scan and restore the Windows product key for the dead PC:

Step 1. Take the OS hard drive off from your dead or unbootable PC, then connect it to a running computer via a SATA-USB cable as an external hard drive.

Step 2. Launch EaseUS Key Finder on the same new healthy computer, click "External Hard Drive", then select your dead or unbootable OS drive below the Choose a drive section. And click "Scan" to continue.

Or, you can browse to select the user account in the dead or unabootable OS drive under the Choose a Microsoft account section.

Step 3. Find important product keys from the dead or unbootable PC's OS drive.

1. To find Windows, Applications product keys or WiFi passwords: 

• Click "Windows" or "Applications" >The Windows or applications' product keys or your WiFi passwords of the dead or unbootable PC will show up on the right pane.
•  Click "Copy", "Print" or "Save" to back up the Windows or installed software product keys or WiFi passwords.

2. To find browser's or your Windows Credentials' password:

• Click "Internet & Network" or "Windows Credentials" on the left, and click "Verify Now".

• Put in your Microsoft account and password of the dead or unbootable PC for verification.

• Then, you'll see all accounts and passwords that you saved in internet browsers or your PC. You can "Copy", "Print", or "Save" these accounts and passwords as a backup on your new computer.

Conclusion

By following the above four methods, you can successfully find or recover the Windows product key from a dead or unbootable computer. 

Note that if you don't have the COA sticker or forgot your Microsoft account, you can directly turn to EaseUS Key Finder for help. It'll always be ready to help.