Is a digital license the same as a product key?

No. Both prove Windows is genuine, but a digital license is a hardware-linked entitlement that activates automatically with no code to enter, while a product key is a 25-character code in the XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX format that you type during installation or in Settings > Activation (Microsoft Support: Activate Windows).

How do I find my Windows product key?

It depends on the channel: a new PC’s key is preinstalled or on the packaging/COA; a boxed retail copy has it on a label or card inside the box; a digital copy arrives in the confirmation email or digital locker; volume keys come through the program portal. If you upgraded for free, you have a digital license instead of a key (Microsoft Support: Find your Windows product key).

Will my Windows license survive a motherboard replacement?

Yes, if you prepared: link your Microsoft account to the digital license before the change, and keep the same Windows edition. After the swap, run Settings > System > Activation > Troubleshoot, choose “I changed hardware on this device recently,” and sign in with the linked account. Without a linked account you need the original product key (Microsoft Support).

Do I need to re-enter a product key after reinstalling Windows?

Usually not. On the same hardware, a digital license reactivates automatically once the PC is online and signed in, and preinstalled machines often have their key embedded in the firmware so setup finds it without typing. Re-entering a key is mainly for new hardware or a license transfer (Microsoft Support).

Digital License vs Product Key: Windows Activation Guide