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how to active windows 10 pro / windows 11
Checking your Windows activation status
You'll first want to find out if your Windows 10 is activated and linked to your Microsoft account.
It is essential that you link your Microsoft account to the Windows 10 license on your device. Linking your Microsoft account with your digital license enables you to reactivate Windows using the Activation troubleshooter whenever you make a significant hardware change.
Methods of Windows activation
Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10, you'll need either a digital license or a 25-character product key to activate it. Without one of these, you won't be able to activate your device.
A digital license (called a digital entitlement in Windows 10, Version 1511) is a method of activation in Windows 10 that doesn't require you to enter a product key.
A product key is a 25-character code used to activate Windows. What you'll see is PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.
After determining which activation method you use, follow the steps in the corresponding https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227#bkmk_activate_using_a_digital_license or https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227#bkmk_activate_using_a_product_key .
Activate Windows using a digital license
Digital licenses are associated with your hardware and linked to your Microsoft account, so there's nothing you need to find on your PC. You're all set once your PC is connected to the internet and you log in to your Microsoft account.
If you don't have a digital license, you can use a product key to activate. To learn how to activate using a product key, follow the steps at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227#bkmk_activate_using_a_product_key .
If you are installing Windows on a new device or motherboard for the first time and you do not have a product key, select I don't have a product key during the installation setup screens. When prompted, enter the Microsoft account you want to use to purchase a digital license for this device. Once the setup screens are completed and Windows has finished installing, go to activation settings: Select the Start button, and then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation . Then select Go to the Store to purchase a digital license to activate Windows.
If you have a digital license for your device, you can reinstall the same edition of Windows 10 on this device without entering a product key.
Make sure that Windows 10 is activated before you try to reinstall it. To find out, select the Start button, and then select Settings > Update & Security > Activation . You’ll be able to confirm that your Windows 10 has been activated and that your Microsoft account is associated with your digital license.
ms-settings:activation?activationSource=SMC-Article-12440
Here are the possible messages that display on the Activation page:
Activation statusDescriptionWindows is activated with a digital license | Your Microsoft account is not linked to your digital license. Follow instructions for https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227#bkmk_linking . |
Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account | Your Microsoft account is already linked to your digital license. |
If Windows 10 isn’t activated on your device, see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/get-help-with-windows-activation-errors-09d8fb64-6768-4815-0c30-159fa7d89d85 for more info.
If your digital license is not linked to your Microsoft account, follow the steps under Checking your Activation status, https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227#bkmk_linking .
Once you have your account linked, then you can run setup to reinstall Windows 10. For more info about how to create installation media to reinstall Windows 10, go to the https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=616447 . When creating installation media, make sure to choose the edition of Windows 10 that matches the edition already installed on your device.
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.
When you make a significant hardware change to your device, such as replacing the motherboard, Windows 10 might no longer be activated.
Make sure you associate your Microsoft account to your digital license to prepare for hardware changes. The association enables you to reactivate Windows using the Activation troubleshooter if you make a significant hardware change later. For more info, see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/reactivating-windows-after-a-hardware-change-2c0e962a-f04c-145b-6ead-fb3fc72b6665 .
By Microsoft