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How to Activate Windows 10 or Windows 11

Check Windows activation status and activate Windows 10 or 11 with a digital license or valid product key. Includes current Windows 10 support context.

By Shantanu2 min read
Illustration of a computer, license key, and verification shield.

Windows 10 and Windows 11 activate with either a digital license or a 25-character product key, depending on how the copy of Windows was obtained.

Activation confirms that the license or digital entitlement is valid for the device’s hardware configuration. It is separate from the question of whether an operating-system version is still supported.

Check activation status in Windows 11

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to System > Activation.
  3. Review Activation state.

If Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account, that link can help with reactivation after a significant hardware change.

Check activation status in Windows 10

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Update & Security > Activation.
  3. Review the activation message.

Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Activation does not extend normal support. Eligible Windows 10 devices can use Microsoft’s current Extended Security Updates options.

Activate with a product key

A Windows product key has 25 characters.

Windows 11

Go to Settings > System > Activation > Change product key, enter the key, and follow the prompts.

Windows 10

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Change product key, enter the key, and follow the prompts.

The key must match the Windows edition you are trying to activate.

Activate with a digital license

A digital license is associated with the device hardware and may also be linked to a Microsoft account. On a device that already has a digital license for the installed edition, Windows can often reactivate automatically after a reinstall once the PC is online.

During a reinstall, you can choose I don’t have a product key when Setup asks for a key, provided the device already has the correct digital entitlement. This skips key entry; it does not create a free license on an unlicensed device.

After a major hardware change

Replacing a motherboard can cause activation to fail because the device identity changes. If the digital license was linked to a Microsoft account, use the Activation troubleshooter from the Activation page.

If the device never had a valid license for the installed edition, you need a valid product key or digital license.

Official reference

Microsoft: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activation/activate-windows

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