All the ways to activate Windows 10

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One of the first things we have to do as soon as we install Windows 10 on our computer is to make sure that it is correctly activated. This activation helps verify that our copy of Windows is genuine and that it has not been used on more devices than are allowed under the Microsoft Software License Terms. Depending on how we have achieved our version of the system, we will have several methods to activate Windows 10 . We explain each of them and how to check the activation status.

Digital license or product key

Basically, what we are going to need to activate the system is a digital license or also known as a digital right or a product key. The activation method depends on how we acquired our copy of Windows 10.

Digital license

Exactly, we are going to have to activate Windows 10 through a digital license in the following cases:

  • If we have upgraded to Windows 10 for free from a genuine Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 licensed device.
  • After purchasing an upgrade to Windows 10 Pro from the Microsoft Store.
  • If we are members of the Insider program and we have updated to the latest preview version of Windows 10 Insider on a device with an earlier version of the system activated.
  • We have purchased genuine Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store.

Product key

However, we will need to activate Windows with a product key in the following situations:

  • By purchasing a copy of Windows 10 from an authorized retailer.
  • We have purchased a digital copy of Windows 10 from an authorized retailer.
  • We have a volume licensing agreement for Windows 10 or an MSDN subscription.
  • If we have bought a new or renewed device with Windows 10
  • If we have bought it in Microsoft Store online

If we do not have a digital license or product key

If we do not have a digital license or product key, then we can choose the option to buy a digital license for Windows 10. Something we can do right after the installation of the operating system. For it:

  • Click on the Start button .
  • We select the Configuration option .
  • We navigate to the option Update and security> Activation.
  • We select the option Go to Store.
  • This will open the Microsoft store where we can buy the digital license.

Another option, generic keys

Surely you have heard of Windows 10 generic keys at some point, but if this is not the case or you are not very clear about what they are and what they are for, it is important to know that they are keys that allow us to activate Windows 10 completely free of charge. Specifically, these are licenses provided by the company itself, Microsoft, to offer the possibility of installing the operating system without having to buy an official license. Remember that an official license has a cost from 145 euros.

However, those from Redmond offer the possibility of activating Windows 10 with certain keys that are provided by themselves and that we can use for free. Now, we must know that this type of activation will not allow us to access all the functions and settings of the system, so we will find certain restrictions despite the fact that the system will work correctly.

The generic keys or keys for Windows 10 are:

  • Windows 10 Home : TX9XD-98N7V-6WMQ6-BX7FG-H8Q99
  • Windows 10 Pro : VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
  • Windows 10 Home Single Language : 7HNRX-D7KGG-3K4RQ-4WPJ4-YTDFH
  • Windows 10 Enterprise : NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43

Later, if we want to buy an official license, just activate the new license and we will have all the Windows 10 options available.

With that key, the first thing we will have to do to complete the activation is to open the System Configuration page and enter the Update and security option. Once there, we select the Activation option and then click on the option Change the product key. Now we will be asked to enter the product key, so we must indicate the official key of the version we have purchased and click Next.

Finally, we follow the steps requested by the system, we finish the process, and if everything goes well we will have our operating system correctly activated, with all the functions and settings available, without any restrictions and with full support from the company.

How to activate Windows 10 with a digital license

Before starting to explain how to activate our system with a digital license, it is important to know that these types of licenses are associated with the hardware and are linked to our Microsoft account. In this way, all you have to do is have an Internet connection on your computer and log in to your account to activate.

  • Installation and activation on a new device or motherboard for the first time : If we are using a digital license linked to a Microsoft account, then we can install the system and skip the option where it asks us for the product key indicating that we do not have it. By logging into our Microsoft account and connecting to the Internet, the system will be activated.
  • After having reinstalled Windows 10 : If we have a digital license for our computer, it is possible to reinstall the same edition of Windows 10 without having to enter any product key. Of course, before doing the installation again, we must make sure that the system is activated correctly.
  • After making a hardware change : If we have changed any of the important hardware components of our computer, such as the motherboard, surely the system will have been disabled with the change. In this case, we must make sure to associate our Microsoft account with the digital license. Later, we can activate Windows 10 again from the activation troubleshooter.

Activate your system with a product key

During the installation of the system, we will be asked to enter our product key, which is nothing more than a code consisting of 25 characters. Therefore, we can activate Windows 10 with our key during the installation itself.

Now, we can also skip this step and do it after finishing the installation. For it:

  • Click on the Start button
  • We select the gear icon to open the Settings page
  • We navigate to the option Update and security> Activation
  • Within Update the Windows edition click on Change the product key
  • We enter our password and finish the process

Also, if we have a product key, we can change the key to activate Windows 10 in different situations:

  • Installation or activation for the first time on a device or motherboard : It is necessary to use a product key to activate our system if we have never had a copy of Windows 10 activated or if we are going to install an edition that had not been previously activated on the computer .
  • Activate a renewed computer with Windows 10: When buying a renewed computer or computer, we will have to activate the system through the product key of the Certificate of Authenticity that is linked to that computer. In the event that the manufacturer changed the motherboard for us, then the activation should take place automatically.
  • After a system reinstall:  When performing a system installation again, we will be asked to provide the product key. As soon as you enter it, we will have our system correctly activated. We can do it also after installation from the System Settings page.
  • After making a major hardware change:  If we make a major hardware change, then most likely our system has been disabled. Therefore, later we will have to reactivate Windows 10 from the configuration page> Update and security> Activation> Change the product key.

How to check activation status

After an installation or even trying to activate Windows 10, it is important that we check the state in which our system has been. In this case, the first of all is to know if the system is activated and linked to our Microsoft account.

It is essential to link our account to the Windows 10 license of our team, since in the case of having a digital license, this will allow us to reactivate the system from the activation troubleshooter.

Check if Windows 10 is activated

The process to check if our system is correctly activated is quite simple:

  • We open the Windows 10 Settings page
  • We navigate to the option Update and security> Activation
  • We look at the activation state
    • Windows is activated
    • Windows is activated with a digital license
    • Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account
    • Windows is not activated

Those are all the states that we can find our system in. In the event that we find that Windows is activated correctly or that Windows is activated with a digital license linked to our Microsoft account everything is correct. Now, if it is activated but our account is not linked or it is not activated, then we will have to act accordingly.

If all we have left is to link our Microsoft account, then we will have to follow the steps shown in the next section. If, on the contrary, the message that our system is not activated appears, then we will probably have to buy Windows 10 to be able to activate it. If we already have it but we continue with the same message, check the activation methods.

Link our Microsoft account

If our problem is that we do not have the Microsoft account linked, then these are the steps to follow to link it:

  1. We log in as an administrator to add our Microsoft account.
  2. We confirm that we are using an account with the maximum permissions we open the Settings page > Account> Your information and once there, along with our name, the word Administrator should appear .
  3. Once confirmed, we return to the activation page and select Add an account.
  4. We enter our account and password and click on Login.
  5. On the activation page it should already appear that Windows is activated with a digital license linked to our Microsoft account.

Can I use Windows 10 without activating?

When we install Windows 10 from scratch, we will be asked for the product key, however, the latest version of Microsoft’s operating system allows us to skip this step and complete the installation without activating the system. With previous versions of Windows it was only possible to use the system without having activated it for a limited time, but today this limitation no longer exists. Therefore, we can use Windows without activating without any problem.

Of course, we must know that despite the fact that we can use the system at maximum performance, there will be certain functions to which we will not have access, especially as regards the customization of the system. Specifically, the fact of having Windows 10 without activating will prevent us from performing this type of task on the system:

  • Settings page customization options
  • Apply custom themes
  • Modify the system colors
  • Change system fonts
  • Start menu settings
  • Change the lock screen background
  • Change the desktop background from the Settings page
  • Synchronize settings between devices
  • Access some configuration options on the taskbar

 

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by Abdullah Sam
I’m a teacher, researcher and writer. I write about study subjects to improve the learning of college and university students. I write top Quality study notes Mostly, Tech, Games, Education, And Solutions/Tips and Tricks. I am a person who helps students to acquire knowledge, competence or virtue.

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