Description: Common locations for Windows 7 product keys.

When purchasing a new Windows 7 computer, or when reinstalling Windows 7 on your existing computer, it may be necessary to activate Windows with the product key. The product key will be on a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker affixed to the computer's case and will look like this:

On notebook computers the product key / Certificate of Authenticity is typically located on the bottom of the computer, often near the other manufacturer information (serial number, etc.). Sometimes it will be located in the keyboard area. Occasionally, the product key / Certificate of Authenticity may be found under a panel on the bottom of a notebook computer such as under the battery or a similar covering.

On a desktop computer the product key / Certificate of Authenticity will often be found on the back of the computer like this:

Some manufacturers may also affix the product key / Certificate of Authenticity on the top of the case in plain view, or on a side panel.

The location of the product key / Certificate of Authenticity sticker will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, or even model to model, but will always be affixed to the case somewhere.

If you are unable to locate your computer's Windows 7 product key / Certificate of Authenticity sticker, then you will want to check with the manufacturer's support for your brand of computer for further assistance.

Computers that were originally licensed for a higher version of Windows, such as Windows 8, but that have installed Windows 7 by exercising "downgrade rights" authorized in their software license will not necessarily have a product key / Certificate of Authenticity sticker affixed to the system for the downgraded version.

If Windows 7 was installed using retail boxed copy of Windows, or if Windows 7 was installed using a system builder or similar OEM version, then the product key / Certificate of Authenticity for those versions will be found with the original packaging for that installation.