How to activate Windows 10 product key
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. This article will help you troubleshoot and fix common activation errors in Windows. Show For help finding your product key, see Find your Windows product key. For troubleshooting and other info about updating Windows 11, see Windows Update: FAQ or Troubleshoot problems updating Windows. For info on upgrading to Windows 11, see Upgrade to Windows: FAQ. Activating Windows
If you're having trouble activating Windows 11, follow these steps to fix activation errors:
Not running Windows 11 yet? See Activate Windows or Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. Try the Activation troubleshooterIf you're running Windows 11, the Activation troubleshooter might help reactivate Windows if you recently made a significant hardware change (such as replacing the motherboard) or reinstalled Windows. You must be an administrator to use this option. For more info, see Using the Activation troubleshooter. Fix common errorsThe following are some of the most common activation errors with possible solutions for Windows 11. If you're getting an error code that isn't listed on this page, contact customer support. If you upgraded to Windows 11 for free and your device isn’t activated, make sure you’re running the latest version of Windows 11. This version includes improvements to activation and troubleshooting activation errors. For more info about how to keep Windows up to date, see Windows Update: FAQ.
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. This article will help you troubleshoot and fix common activation errors in Windows. For help finding your product key, see Find your Windows product key. For troubleshooting and other info about updating Windows 10, see Windows Update: FAQ or Troubleshoot problems updating Windows. For info on upgrading to Windows 10, see Upgrade to Windows: FAQ. Activating Windows
Not running Windows 10 yet? See Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. Try the Activation troubleshooterIf you're running Windows 10, version 1607 or later, the Activation troubleshooter might help reactivate Windows if you recently made a significant hardware change (such as replacing the motherboard) or reinstalled Windows. You must be an administrator to use this option. For more info, see Using the Activation troubleshooter. Fix common errorsThe following are some of the most common activation errors with possible solutions for Windows 10. If you're getting an error code that isn't listed on this page, contact customer support. If you upgraded to Windows 10 for free and your device isn’t activated, make sure you’re running the latest version of Windows 10. This version includes improvements to activation and troubleshooting activation errors. For more info about how to keep Windows up to date, see Windows Update: FAQ.
Can I activate Windows 10 for free?Brief Explanation on Activating Windows 10. Installing or reinstalling Windows 10 is already free if you are using Windows 7 or a higher version. Otherwise, you should pay for it. When it comes to activating it, you can complete it for free as long as you have an original license key.
How to activate Windows 10 without activation key?Open the Settings app and head to Update & Security > Activation. You'll see a “Go to Store” button that will take you to the Windows Store if Windows isn't licensed. In the Store, you can purchase an official Windows license that will activate your PC.
How to activate Windows 10 product key using CMD?On a client computer, open a Command Prompt window and run the command Slmgr. vbs /ato . The /ato command causes the operating system to attempt activation by using whichever key has been installed in the operating system.
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