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New DELL laptop- Windows Product Key

Hi there,

1st time Windows user (always had a Mac).

Bought a DELL G5 5590. 

Having trouble finding where the windoes activation key is. It says that Windows 10 is included in the purchase but there is no CD/ USB or written key anywhere in the package. Logged into the DELL account and cannot find the key.

Can anyone please direct me where to look.

Best,

Les

Hi Les

Windows 10 is very different from previous versions of Windows, it uses digital licencing . . .

When you initially activate Windows 10, a unique identifier for your PC is generated form your hardware, that is sent to the Microsoft Activation servers and stored there, your PC will then have a digital entitlement to run Windows 10

Should you ever need to reinstall Windows 10, so long as you install the exact same edition (Home, Pro . . etc) as was initially installed on that PC, then Windows 10 will self-activate once your PC is connected to the Internet . . .
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Hi and thanks DaveM121 for the prompt reply.

I followed the instructions supplied by the DELL email but in the end Windows would not automatically activate. I just found an answer by following this below google result instructions:

Find Windows 10 Product Key on a New Computer
  1. Press Windows key + X.
  2. Click Command Prompt (Admin)
  3. At the command prompt, type: wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey. This will reveal the product key. Volume License Product Key Activation.

 

I copied the key and entered it into the option to change product key (not that one was entered as it said it was inactive in red text). FWIW, I never got a product key in any form suggested by the problem solving suggestions wormhole link I found in Settings. Apologies if this is a basic newbie issue. It has been doing my head in for the last couple of hours.

Anyway, greatly appreciate your time. Thanks again DaveM121.

  

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Last updated April 24, 2025 Views 48,626 Applies to: