The Classic Method That No Longer Works
For years, the easiest way to check your system’s embedded Windows product key was this command:
On supported systems (like OEM laptops or prebuilt desktops), this command instantly revealed the 25-character product key from the system’s UEFI/BIOS.
But on modern versions of Windows 11 (like 24H2 and beyond), if you try that command, you’ll see this instead:
...and nothing underneath. No key. No error. Just an empty response.
What’s really going on?
WMIC (Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line) has been officially deprecated - and removed by default in newer builds of Windows 11 (including build 26100.6584 and later). The command doesn’t work anymore because WMIC isn’t installed.
How to Fix It: Reinstall WMIC via Optional Features
Fortunately, WMIC hasn’t disappeared completely - you can manually add it back using Windows’ built-in Optional Features system.
Step-by-Step: Restore WMIC on Windows 11
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Open Settings → Apps → Optional Features
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Press
Windows + I -
Go to Apps
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Click Optional Features
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Click “View Features” (under “Add an optional feature”)
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Search for “WMIC”
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Select “WMIC (Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line)”
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Click Next → Install
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Wait for installation to finish (no restart required)
Once installed, you can re-run the original command in Command Prompt:
If your device has a product key stored in firmware, it will now display correctly.
What If You Still Don’t See a Key?
If WMIC is installed but still returns a blank value, here’s what that means:
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No embedded key: The device may use a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.
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Custom-built PCs often have no firmware key at all.
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If you upgraded from Windows 10 or used a volume license, the key might not be stored locally.
To confirm activation status:
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Go to Settings → System → Activation
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Look for:
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Activation state: Active
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Activation type: Digital license
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If your system says “Windows is activated with a digital license,” then no product key is needed - it will re-activate automatically after reinstall on the same hardware.
Bonus: Alternative PowerShell Method
WMIC is the simplest method once re-enabled, but here’s a PowerShell fallback just in case:
However, this also relies on legacy WMI and may not work on future Windows releases as WMI gets phased out.
Why Microsoft Removed WMIC
Microsoft deprecated WMIC in Windows 10 and began removing it from clean installs of Windows 11 as part of a broader modernization. Its functionality is being replaced by PowerShell’s CIM/WMI cmdlets (like Get-CimInstance). But for quick tasks like checking a product key, many users still rely on WMIC - which is why being able to re-add it is important for techs and tinkerers.
Conclusion
If wmic suddenly stopped working on your Windows 11 machine, it’s not a bug - it’s by design. But you can bring it back in just a few clicks through Optional Features.
Once restored, the OA3xOriginalProductKey command works just like before - letting you instantly retrieve your system’s embedded Windows license. It’s a useful trick, especially if you’re rebuilding or repurposing OEM hardware.