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activate windows

Activate windows - Window activation helps verify that your copy of Windows is genuine and hasn’t been used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow.

What are the methods to activate windows?

• 1. A digital license is a method of activation in Windows 10 that doesn't require you to enter a product key.

  2. A windows activate product key is a 25-character code used to activate Windows. What you'll see is PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.

Purchase a Windows 10 license

If you don't have a digital license or a product key, you can purchase a Windows 10 digital license after installation finishes. Find the steps below -

• 1. Firstly, select the "Start" button from the taskbar.

  2. Now go to settings --> Update and Security --> Activation

  3. Click on "Go to store"

This opens the Microsoft Store app where user can purchase a Windows 10 digital license to activate windows.

Activate windows using a digital license

1. Installing and activating windows on a new device or motherboard -

   1. If you are using a digital license linked to a Microsoft account to activate window, user can run the setup file and skip the product key option by choosing "I don’t have a product key". After login in to Microsoft account and connect to the internet, you will be activated.

2. Activate after reinstalling Windows 10

   1. If user have the license key of the device, then they can reinstall the same edition of windows on this device without providing a product key

   2. Remember that your windows 10 is activated before you reinstall it. To know wheather you activate window or not -

      1. • Firstly, select the "Start" button from the taskbar.

• • • Now go to settings --> Update and Security --> Activation

      • Then user will able to confirm that your Windows 10 has been activated or not and that your MS account is associated with digital license.

      • Note: If Windows 10 isn’t activated on your device, help with Windows 10 activation errors.

      • If your digital license is not linked to your Microsoft account, follow the steps under Checking your Activation status, Linking your Microsoft account.

      • During reinstallation, if you’re asked to enter a product key, you can skip this step by selecting I don't have a product key.

      • Windows 10 will automatically activate online after the installation is complete.

      • If you linked your digital license with your Microsoft account, be sure to sign in to the Microsoft account that is linked to the digital license.

3. Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change

   1. This is true that when user replaced their hardware such as motherboard, then windows 10 might no longer be activated.

Windows Activate using a product key

• 1. During installation, you'll be prompted to enter a product key.

  2. Or, after installation, to enter the product key, -

     1. • Select the "Start" button from the taskbar.

• • • Now go to settings --> Update and Security --> Activation --> Update product key --> Change product key.

      • Note: If you have a product key, then you can use Change product key to activate Windows 10 in each of the following scenarios. Below is supplemental information that might help you with activation

• 3. First time installation and activation on a new device or motherboard

  4. You’ll need to use a valid product key to activate Windows 10 on a device that has never had an activated copy of Windows 10 on it.

  5. You’ll also need to use a valid product key if you're installing an edition of Windows 10 that wasn’t previously activated on the device. For example, you'll need a valid product key to install and activate Windows 10 Pro on a device that had Windows 10 Home installed.

  6. During the installation, you’ll be asked to enter a valid product key. After the installation is complete, Windows 10 will automatically be activated online. To check activation status in Windows 10, select the Start button, and then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation .

  7. Activate a refurbished device running Windows 10

• • 1. When you buy a refurbished device running Windows 10, you'll need to activate Windows using the product key on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) that's attached to your device.

    2. If your original hardware manufacturer (OEM) changed the motherboard for you, your PC should reactivate automatically. If it doesn't activate, your OEM might have provided a COA card with a 25-character key under a gray scratch cover. Follow these steps to get activated.:

       • Select the Start button, and then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation .

       • Select Change product key.

       • Type in the product key found on the COA and follow the instructions.

• 8. Activate after reinstalling Windows 10

  9. During reinstallation, you’ll be asked to enter a product key. When you type in your product key, you will have an activated edition of Windows 10.

  10. If you finished setup and did not enter your product key, you can still enter your product key. Select the Start button, and then select Activation > Update product key > Change product key.

  11. Reactivate Windows 10 after a hardware change

• • 1. When you make a significant hardware change to your device, such as replacing the motherboard, Windows 10 might no longer be activated.

    2. If you do not reinstall Windows, then you can select the Start button, and then select Activation > Update product key > Change product key to reactivate your device. Otherwise you can enter your product key during installation of Windows.

    3. If your original hardware manufacturer (OEM) changed the motherboard for you, your PC should reactivate automatically. If it doesn’t activate, your OEM might have provided a COA card that has a gray coating over a 25-character key. Follow these steps to get activated.

       • Select the Start button, and then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation .

       • Select Change product key.

       • Type in the product key found on the COA and follow the instructions.