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Please log in with your username or email to continue. Facebook Google wikiHow Account No account yet? Create an account Browse Articles Quizzes & Games All Quizzes Hot Personality Quizzes Dating Simulator Learn Something New Support wikiHow Log in / Sign up Computers and Electronics Operating Systems Last Updated: December 18, 2025 Fact Checked Activating Online Activating by Phone Linking Activation to a Microsoft Account This article was co-authored by Michael Thompson-Brown and by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls . Michael Thompson-Brown is a Cybersecurity Expert based in Portland, Maine. He is the owner and founder of PCRescue!, a company that provides cybersecurity and data management solutions to small businesses and individuals. Michael has over 25 years of experience in the IT industry and is a certified ethical hacker. He is passionate about helping clients protect their data and systems from malicious attacks and helping them optimize their online presence and reach. He received a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance from Western Governors University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 262,523 times. According to tech expert Michael Thompson-Brown, product activation tells Microsoft's servers that you have purchased a legitimate Windows license. [1] X Expert Source Michael Thompson-Brown Tech Expert Expert Interview If you don't activate Windows, you won't have access to all features. You can activate Windows online using a product key or a digital license, or activate over the phone . This wikiHow teaches you how to activate Windows 10 & 11. How do you activate Windows? Open Windows Settings and click System > Activation > Upgrade your edition of Windows . To use a product key, click Change next to “Change product key” and enter the key. To buy a digital license, click Open Store and follow the prompts to purchase Windows. Activating Online 1 Open the Settings app on your computer. To do so, click the Windows Start button, and then click the icon that resembles a gear. 2 Click System on Windows 11 or Updates & Security on Windows 10. On Windows 11, it’s the first option in the menu bar to the left. On Windows 10, it’s the icon that resembles two circular arrows. [2] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source Advertisement 3 Click Activation . This will open your product activation options. [3] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source 4 Click Upgrade your edition of Windows (Windows 11 only). If you are using Windows 11, you’ll find the options to activate Windows under this option. 5 Activate Windows. You can activate Windows using a product key or a digital license. If you purchase a new PC that came with Windows, a box copy of Windows, or a copy of Windows from an authorized retailer, you should have a product key that came in the box or documentation. If you have a volume licensing agreement, you can get the product key through the web portal of your program. If you are upgrading or purchasing a new copy of Windows, you will get a digital license. Use one of the following steps to activate Windows: [4] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source Product key: To activate Windows using an activation key, click Change or Change product key . Enter the product key and then click Next . Then click Activate . Digital License: If you don’t have an activation key, you can purchase a digital license. To do so, click Open Store in the Activation Settings menu, then click the option to purchase or upgrade Windows. Follow the prompts to complete the transaction. Once you have purchased Windows, you will have a digital license associated with your Microsoft account. You will be able to access all Windows features as long as you are signed in with that account. Product key: To activate Windows using an activation key, click Change or Change product key . Enter the product key and then click Next . Then click Activate . Digital License: If you don’t have an activation key, you can purchase a digital license. To do so, click Open Store in the Activation Settings menu, then click the option to purchase or upgrade Windows. Follow the prompts to complete the transaction. Once you have purchased Windows, you will have a digital license associated with your Microsoft account. You will be able to access all Windows features as long as you are signed in with that account. 6 Remain connected to the Internet. To ensure that your product key has not been used on another device, you must remain connected to the Internet to finish activation. If you do not have an Internet connection, you can activate over the phone. Activating by Phone 1 Open Run. To do so, press Windows Key + R to open Run. If you are using an unsupported version of Windows or do not have an internet connection, you can activate Windows over the phone. 2 Type in slui 4 and press ↵ Enter . This opens a helper that can provide a number for you to call, along with your Windows ID. 3 Choose your country or region. Use the drop-down menu to do so. Then click Next . 4 Call the toll-free number on-screen. This will connect you to the Microsoft activation center. [5] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source 5 Dial the CAPTCHA number provided. As a measure against spam, only human callers are allowed to proceed to activate Windows. 6 Enter the unique installation ID using the phone keypad. To do this, you will have to enter one group at a time. Each group is separated by spaces. [6] X Research source 7 Click on Next . This will be on your computer screen. 8 Enter the confirmation ID on your computer. Then choose Activate Windows . This will finish activation. [7] X Research source Linking Your Activation to Your Microsoft Account 1 Verify that you are signed into Windows as an Administrator. If you are signed into Windows with a Microsoft account as an administrator, you can link your Windows license to your Microsoft account. This will allow you to easily reactivate Windows if you need to reinstall it or if you upgrade your computer hardware. If you are not signed in as an administrator, you will need to contact the administrator or make yourself an administrator . Use the following steps to check if you are signed into Windows as an administrator: Click the Windows Start menu. Click the Settings/Gear icon. Click Accounts . Click Your Info . Make sure it says Administrator and lists an email address under your name. Click the Windows Start menu. Click the Settings/Gear icon. Click Accounts . Click Your Info . Make sure it says Administrator and lists an email address under your name. 2 Open the Windows Activation Settings menu. Use the following steps to do so: Click the Windows Start menu. Click the Settings/Gear icon. Click System on Windows 11 or Update & Security on Windows 10. Click Activation . Click the Windows Start menu. Click the Settings/Gear icon. Click System on Windows 11 or Update & Security on Windows 10. Click Activation . 3 Click Activation Status . It’s the first option at the top of the page. It should say “Active” next to this option if your current Windows installation has been activated. [8] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source If it says “Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft Account,” your account is already linked, and you don’t need to do anything else. If it says “Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft Account,” your account is already linked, and you don’t need to do anything else.

4 Click Add an account . It’s below the “Activation Status” option. [9] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source If you don’t see this option, there is probably already an account linked to the Windows digital license. If you don’t see this option, there is probably already an account linked to the Windows digital license. 5 Sign in with your administrative Microsoft account. Enter the email address and password associated with the Microsoft account you are signed in to. Once you are logged in, it should say “Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft Account” below the Activation Status option. If you ever need to reinstall Windows, you can activate it by signing in to your Microsoft account during the setup process. [10] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source Frequently Asked Questions 1 What happens if I don’t activate Windows? You can use Windows 10 and 11 indefinitely without activating them. However, certain features may be limited. You can expect the following from an unactivated version of Windows: [11] X Research source Lack of Personalization options: You will not be able to set your own wallpapers, change the colors, or set custom lock screens. Limited Updates: You will still receive security updates and bug fixes on an unactivated version of Windows, but you may not get optional updates or feature updates. Watermark: There will be a persistent watermark on your desktop reminding you that you need to activate Windows. Pop-ups: You will receive frequent pop-ups reminding you that your version of Windows has expired or is about to expire and giving you the option to activate Windows. No access to insider builds: If you are interested in receiving early access builds through Microsoft’s insider program, you won’t be able to do that with an unactivated version of Windows. Legal trouble with Microsoft: If you are using an unactivated version of Windows (particularly for business purposes), you may get in legal trouble with Microsoft. Lack of Personalization options: You will not be able to set your own wallpapers, change the colors, or set custom lock screens. Limited Updates: You will still receive security updates and bug fixes on an unactivated version of Windows, but you may not get optional updates or feature updates. Watermark: There will be a persistent watermark on your desktop reminding you that you need to activate Windows. Pop-ups: You will receive frequent pop-ups reminding you that your version of Windows has expired or is about to expire and giving you the option to activate Windows. No access to insider builds: If you are interested in receiving early access builds through Microsoft’s insider program, you won’t be able to do that with an unactivated version of Windows. Legal trouble with Microsoft: If you are using an unactivated version of Windows (particularly for business purposes), you may get in legal trouble with Microsoft. 2 Why can’t I find the product key in my computer box? Many newer computers come with the product key injected into the motherboard. It is not necessary to activate Windows with a product key. 3 How do I check my Windows activation status? Open the Windows Settings menu and go to System (or Update & Security on Windows 10) > Activation. Check the Activation status . If it says “Active,” your version of Windows is activated. 4 Can I get a digital license with a product key? Yes, you can do so by linking your activation to your Microsoft account . If you haven’t already done so, it’s recommended that you do so. 5 Why do I need to activate Windows after upgrading my PC? If you perform significant hardware updates to your computer, such as changing your motherboard, you may need to reactivate Windows. If you have a digital license associated with your Microsoft account, you can reactivate Windows when you sign in to your Microsoft account. 6 How can I find my product key in Windows? Use the following steps to do so: Click the Windows Start button. Type cmd . Open the Command Prompt . Type wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey and press Enter . Click the Windows Start button. Open the Command Prompt . Type wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey and press Enter . 7 Where can I purchase a product key that isn’t so expensive? Some online retailers sell product keys for various software. Check Whokeys or vip-scdkeys to see what they have available. Use third-party retailers at your own risk. 8 Can I activate Windows without a Product key or digital license? Not legally. You can try using an activation script . Do so at your own risk. Question I do not have a product key, and troubleshooting has not activated Windows. Could this be why my Microsoft Office also isn't updating? Naija Softwares Community Answer This indicates that your Windows license is not linked to a Microsoft account or the product key was never properly activated. First make sure you are signed in with your Microsoft account, and then attempt to run the Windows activation process again. If the issue persists, installing a valid license key usually resolves both Windows activation and Office update problems. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 2 Question I forgot my Windows product key. Naija Softwares Community Answer If Windows was previously activated on your device, sign in with the same Microsoft account, and check your Activation settings. Many systems reactivate automatically through a digital license linked to your account. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 0 Question At what point should I expect PC suppliers to email me the Windows activation information? Naija Softwares Community Answer Most PC suppliers do not email you a key anymore. Activation is usually automatic the first time you connect to the internet. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 0 You Might Also Like ↑ Michael Thompson-Brown. Tech Expert. Expert Interview ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227 ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227 ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227 ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/product-activation-for-windows-online-support-telephone-numbers-35f6a805-1259-88b4-f5e9-b52cccef91a0 ↑ https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-activate-windows-offline-using-microsofts-text-based-options/ ↑ https://www.techrepublic.com/article/how-to-activate-windows-offline-using-microsofts-text-based-options/ ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/reactivating-windows-after-a-hardware-change-2c0e962a-f04c-145b-6ead-fb3fc72b6665 ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/reactivating-windows-after-a-hardware-change-2c0e962a-f04c-145b-6ead-fb3fc72b6665 ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227 ↑ https://softwarekeep.com/blogs/news/what-happens-if-you-don-t-activate-windows-10 About This Article 1. Open Settings. 2. Click Updates & Security . 3. Click Activation on the left. 4. Click Change product key or Go to Store . 5. Enter your product key to activate your system. Did this summary help you? Yes No Send fan mail to authors Is this article up to date? Quizzes & Games You Might Also Like Trending Articles Trending Articles Take the Quiz. Face the Truth. 🔥 Are You More... 🤔 Featured Videos Hot Takes Only 🔥 Your Daily Dose of Fun 🎉 Computers and Electronics Operating Systems Do Not Sell or Share My Info Not Selling Info wikiHow Tech Help Pro: Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve