Activating Windows

Check your Windows activation status

To check the activation status in Windows 10, click Start button, then select Settings ] > [ & Security Select Update, and then select Activate. The activation status appears next to Activated .

How to activate Windows

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 them, you won't be able to activate your device.

Activate Windows using a product key

You will be prompted to enter your product key during installation. Or, to enter your product key after installation, click Start button, then select Settings ] > [ Update & Security > Activation > Update Product Key > Change product key .