Windows 11 · Windows
Activate Windows with a digital license or product key
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
On Windows 11, open Settings > System > Activation. Connect to the internet to use your digital license, or select Change product key and enter a valid key for your Windows edition. On Windows 10, use Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
Open Activation settings
On Windows 11, open Settings > System > Activation; on Windows 10, open Settings > Update & Security > Activation. Check the edition and activation status before entering a key.
Activate with your license
For a digital license, connect to the internet and sign in to the Microsoft account linked to it. For a product key, select Change product key and enter the 25-character key for the installed edition.
Troubleshoot an activation error
If activation fails on Windows 11, run Microsoft’s Activation troubleshooter in Get Help. Use the error-code guide if the problem remains.
Check that Windows is activated
Return to Activation and confirm that Windows reports an activated state. The Windows 11 example below shows the edition and an Active status.
If it does not work
- After replacing a motherboard, use Microsoft’s hardware-change reactivation instructions with the account linked to your license. A replacement license may be necessary.
- For a work or school license, contact your administrator. For an invalid retail key, contact the seller; an edition mismatch needs the matching license or Windows edition.
- Without a digital license or valid key, use the Store option on the Activation page to buy a license. Do not run third-party activation scripts.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.