If you ordered a Windows 7 or earlier PXI controller that was installed in a chassis by Factory Installation Services (FIS):
All keycodes are placed on a label on the corresponding PXI chassis. The label will be mounted on a plate such as those shown below.
If you ordered a Windows 10 or Windows 11 PXI/PXIe controller:
Windows 10 and Windows 11 PXI(e) controllers are shipped with a preinstalled operating system with the activation key embedded into the BIOS. Therefore, an activation is usually not necessary.
If you are prompted for an activation key anyway, try to activate Windows 10 while the controller is connected to the internet. Also, try clicking the "Troubleshoot" wrench icon if the activation is not successful.
If your controllers were shipped with Windows 10 Pro, you can retrieve the embedded activation key by typing the following into the Windows Command Prompt:
wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey
As of Aug 2019, all NI Windows 10 PXI(e) and Windows 11 PXIe controllers are shipped with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise and Windows 11 IoT Enterprise accordingly. There are Certificates of Authenticity (COAs) that are shipped with the controller, which prove that there's a valid license installed. The COAs are stickers that are stuck to the side of the controller.
Additional Information
The key you receive for Windows 7 controllers will not actually activate Windows. This sticker is for authenticity purposes.
The OS is pre-installed on more recent controllers, most notably with Windows 7, Windows 10 IoT, and Windows 11 IoT. Therefore, a product activation key is not required. If you are still running into problems with e-activating Windows, try restoring the OS through Acronis True Image.
If you cannot find this packet or this sticker, please contact the NI Customer Care Team at the customerservice@ni.com email address. To help us expedite getting you a Product Registration Key, please let us know when you receive your system. Also, include whether the entire software packet is missing or if the packet just did not include the registration sticker.