My Windows 11 Key - Why do I get two different keys shown if I search using different methods?

[Mikelmouse]

Why do I get two different keys shown if I search using "BackupProductKeyDefault" in the Registry and "wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey" in Terminal (Admin)?



The machine is an Acer laptop purchased new, with Windows 11 pre-installed, and not re-installed since. The key reported by cmd line, Belarc Advisor and the line "LastBiosKey" in the registry is the same key, but that using "BackupProductKeyDefault" is different?



I wanted to make a back-up of my key.



Is there a better method?

 

[Xploit Machine]

If you signed in using Microsoft Account, you key is backed up automatically to their server ..

 

[RasulGreen]

The two keys are different because "OA3xOriginalProductKey" is the OEM key stored in the BIOS, while "BackupProductKeyDefault" might be from a previous activation, like an upgrade or different license.

To back up your key, use this command in Command Prompt (Admin):

wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

Write it down and keep it safe.

If Windows shows "Activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account" under Settings > Activation, your key is already backed up online and will activate automatically if you reinstall Windows.