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Learn how to activate Windows using a product key or digital license, check your activation status, and link your Microsoft account.
Activation helps verify that your copy of Windows is genuine and hasn’t been used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. There are three methods to which you can activate your product: Online via the internet, by telephone using our automated systems, and by a live support advocate.
If you're looking for product keys for Office, apps, games, and more, see Find your Microsoft downloads and product keys. Learn how to find a Windows product key for activation, and when you'll use a digital license instead.
In one form, product activation refers to a method invented by Ric Richardson and patented (U.S. patent 5,490,216) by Uniloc where a software application hashes hardware serial numbers and an ID number specific to the product's license (a product key) to generate a unique installation ID.
This article provides information and resources for troubleshooting Product Activation in Windows 10. Details. If you are running Windows 10 Anniversary Update and you are experiencing activation problems, please check out the following article for tips how to resolve them.
Use your Microsoft account, not your product key, to install and activate Office and individually purchased Office apps, such as Project, Visio, Word, Excel, and Outlook.
What to Know. With product key: Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation and select Change product key or Update product key. With digital license: Log in to Windows as the administrator, connect to the internet, and sign in to your Microsoft account.