Activate Windows
Applies To
Tip: Having problems activating Windows? Try the troubleshooting steps at Get help with Windows activation errors.
Activation is a technical process that pairs the product key or digital entitlement with the hardware configuration of the device. This does not evaluate the authenticity of the copy itself, and it does not guarantee that the copy of Windows is genuine. It merely ensures that the product key or digital entitlement is valid for the hardware configuration. On the other hand, validation is the process that checks that critical Windows licensing files haven't been damaged, deleted, or removed and it is necessary to receive certain updates and downloads.
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Checking your Windows activation status
You'll first want to find out if your Windows 11 is activated and linked to your Microsoft account.
It is essential that you link your Microsoft account to the Windows 11 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.
To check activation status in Windows 11, select the Start button, and then select Settings > System and then select Activation . Your activation status will be listed next to Activation status.
Check activation status in Settings
You'll see one of these activation status messages on the Activation page:
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Activation status |
Description |
|---|---|
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Windows is activated |
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Windows is activated with a digital license |
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Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account |
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Windows is not activated |
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If you need to purchase a license for your device, see "Purchase a Windows 11 license."
If you have purchased a license for this device already and still receive an error message, continue to Methods of activation.
Link your Microsoft account to Windows 11 for activation
To link your Microsoft account, follow these instructions:
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Sign in as an administrator to add your Microsoft account. To confirm you're using an administrator account, select the Start button, then select Settings > Accounts > Your info . Under your name, you’ll see Administrator . If you’re not an administrator, see Manage user accounts in Windows to create an administrator account.Go to your info in Settings
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Confirm that the administrator account is also your Microsoft account by checking to see if an email address is displayed above Administrator . If an email address is displayed, this is a Microsoft account. If not, you’re logged in with a local account. If you don’t yet have a Microsoft account, see How to create a new Microsoft account.
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Once you confirm that you’re an administrator and using your Microsoft account, go back to the Activation page, select Add an account, enter your Microsoft account and password, and then select Sign in .
After your Microsoft account has been added, on the Activation page you’ll see Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.
Methods of Windows activation
Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 11, 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.
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A digital license (called a digital entitlement in Windows 11) is a method of activation in Windows 11 that doesn't require you to enter a product key.
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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 Activate using a digital license or Activate using a product key.
Your activation method depends on how you got your copy of Windows 11.
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If you got Windows 11 by... |
Activation method |
|---|---|
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Upgrading to Windows 11 for free from an eligible device running a genuine copy of Windows 10, Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 |
Digital license If you associated or signed onto a Microsoft Account or associated your MSA with your digital license, that will be your MSA containing the digital license. |
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Buying a Windows 11 Pro upgrade from the Microsoft Store app and successfully activated Windows 11 |
Digital license When purchasing from Microsoft Store, a confirmation email was sent to confirm the purchase. That email address (MSA) will contain the digital license. |
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Being a Windows Insider and upgrading to the newest Windows 11 Insider Preview build on an eligible device that was running an activated earlier version of Windows 11 and Windows 11 Preview |
Digital license The email address that you used for your Windows Insider login will likely be the MSA containing your digital license. |
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Buying genuine Windows 11 from the Microsoft Store app |
Digital license When purchasing from Microsoft Store, a confirmation email was sent to confirm the purchase. That email address (MSA) will contain the digital license. |
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Buying a PC that came with Windows 11 |
Product key Find your product key either on the device packaging or on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to your device. |
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Buying a box copy of Windows 11 from an authorized retailer |
Product key Find your product key on a label inside the Windows 11 box. |
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Buying a digital copy of Windows 11 from an authorized retailer |
Product key |