Why doesn't Microsoft show the Windows Product Key in System Information?

Solution 1:

I personally like Magic Jelly Bean Keyfinder for serial keys of Microsoft and other popular products.

The best I can figure out as to why Microsoft disables this by default is simply to stop casual people copying down the key and trying it on other systems - imagine if you just went to see a demo unit at the shop and re-used their serial key... I know it probably wouldn't work being OEM and tied, however having it a different length just stops any possibility of every day people trying.

Solution 2:

Belarc Advisor will retrieve everything you need. Nice free stuff.