If you are a Windows 7 user, it is imminent to upgrade to Windows 10 as Microsoft is going away from Windows 7. In other words, there will be no further updates of Windows from Microsoft. On the other hand, Windows 8 users will also be able to upgrade the OS to Windows 10 to enjoy better performance, security and additional features. After the installation of Windows 10, you will need to provide the activation key.
• Get Updates - Microsoft will release updates to the OS regularly to overcome various kinds of technical glitches, bugs and malware attacks. If you fail to activate the OS, you will not get access to the latest updates.
• Genuine OS - Through the activation process, Microsoft will confirm that you are using a genuine Windows operating system.
• Linking with the Microsoft Account - After the activation of the OS, the customer’s Microsoft account will be linked to the OS license. The linking will help reactivation on the same device (if there are major hardware changes in the system).
Hence, there is every reason to activate Windows 10 after the installation.
Steps to check the activation status in Windows 10:
• Click the ‘Start’ button
• Select ‘Settings’
• Select ‘Update & Security’
• Select ‘Activation’
You will find one of the following activation statuses:
• Activated – The OS is activated. However, it is not linked with the Microsoft account.
• Activated with the license – The OS is activated. However, your account is not linked to the digital license.
• Activated and license linked to MS account – The OS is activated and your MS account is also linked with the digital license.
• Not activated – The OS is not activated. You may find some error messages and you may need to purchase the original version of OS.
For activation of Windows 10, you should have access to one of the following:
• Digital license
• Product key
Digital license – If you possess a digital license, you will not want to enter the product key. The activation will be done immediately as soon as your personal computer is connected to the internet. However, you should log in to your Microsoft account to accomplish the task. Thus, activation of Windows 10 with a digital license is a seamless process.
A digital license can be used in the following cases:
• Free eligible upgrade to Windows 10 from either Windows 7 or 8.1
• By buying Windows 10 Pro from the Microsoft Store
• By buying Windows 10 from Microsoft Store App
Product Key – Product key is a 25-character code. It comes in 5 sets of 5 alphanumeric characters each separated by a hyphen.
The product key can be obtained from the following sources:
• Buying Windows 10 software copy from a retailer
• Buying a digital copy from an authorized source
• Buying a refurbished or new computer which runs Windows 10
• With an MSDN subscription or licensing agreement for Windows 10
• Run Setup
• Select ‘I don’t have a product key’
• Establish an internet connection
• Login to Microsoft Account
You can also enter the product key by making changes in the Settings as follows:
• Click the ‘Start’ button
• Select ‘Settings’
• Select ‘Update & Security’
• Select ‘Activation’
• Select ‘Update Product Key’
• Select ‘Change Product Key’
The product key can be used to activate Windows 10 in the following cases:
• Activation of a new computer for the first time
• Activation of the motherboard for the first time
• Activation of a refurbished computer (which is already running Windows 10)
• Activation after reinstallation of Windows 10
• Reactivation after major hardware changes
You can find the Windows version present in your computer by performing the following steps:
• Click the ‘Start’ button
• Select ‘Settings’
• Select ‘Update & Security’
• Select ‘Activation’
• Upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro and activation of Windows 10
If you would like to activate Windows 10 after upgrading from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro, you should ensure that your PC runs the most up-to-date Windows 10 Home version. In this context, you are advised to run all the Windows 10 Home updates.
Why Should You Activate Windows 10
After the installation of the Windows 10 Operating System, you should activate it for the following benefits:• Get Updates - Microsoft will release updates to the OS regularly to overcome various kinds of technical glitches, bugs and malware attacks. If you fail to activate the OS, you will not get access to the latest updates.
• Genuine OS - Through the activation process, Microsoft will confirm that you are using a genuine Windows operating system.
• Linking with the Microsoft Account - After the activation of the OS, the customer’s Microsoft account will be linked to the OS license. The linking will help reactivation on the same device (if there are major hardware changes in the system).
Hence, there is every reason to activate Windows 10 after the installation.
How to Know the Current Windows 10 Activation Status
Before heading for the Windows 10 activation, you should check the current activation status in your laptop or desktop.Steps to check the activation status in Windows 10:
• Click the ‘Start’ button
• Select ‘Settings’
• Select ‘Update & Security’
• Select ‘Activation’
You will find one of the following activation statuses:
• Activated – The OS is activated. However, it is not linked with the Microsoft account.
• Activated with the license – The OS is activated. However, your account is not linked to the digital license.
• Activated and license linked to MS account – The OS is activated and your MS account is also linked with the digital license.
• Not activated – The OS is not activated. You may find some error messages and you may need to purchase the original version of OS.
Steps for Windows 10 Activation
If you have purchased a licensed version of Windows 10, you should activate the OS. After the activation, you will not get error messages and it is possible to update OS updates on a regular basis.For activation of Windows 10, you should have access to one of the following:
• Digital license
• Product key
Digital license – If you possess a digital license, you will not want to enter the product key. The activation will be done immediately as soon as your personal computer is connected to the internet. However, you should log in to your Microsoft account to accomplish the task. Thus, activation of Windows 10 with a digital license is a seamless process.
A digital license can be used in the following cases:
• Free eligible upgrade to Windows 10 from either Windows 7 or 8.1
• By buying Windows 10 Pro from the Microsoft Store
• By buying Windows 10 from Microsoft Store App
Product Key – Product key is a 25-character code. It comes in 5 sets of 5 alphanumeric characters each separated by a hyphen.
The product key can be obtained from the following sources:
• Buying Windows 10 software copy from a retailer
• Buying a digital copy from an authorized source
• Buying a refurbished or new computer which runs Windows 10
• With an MSDN subscription or licensing agreement for Windows 10
Windows 10 Activation by Using Digital License
New device/Motherboard – If you are installing Windows 10 on a new computer or motherboard, the following steps are performed to activate:• Run Setup
• Select ‘I don’t have a product key’
• Establish an internet connection
• Login to Microsoft Account
Activation after Re-Installation of Windows 10
If you would like to activate Window 10 after the reinstallation, you should ensure that Window 10 was activated before reinstallation. As soon as your Microsoft account is mapped to your digital license, the activation will take place.Windows 10 Re-Activation After Hardware Change
In some cases, you will want to reactivate the Windows 10 OS. It happens if you make major hardware changes in your PC.Windows 10 Activation by Using Product Key
Learn how to activate Windows 10 by entering the product key which is provided with the software. As you go through the installation process, you will be asked to enter the product key. The product key will be in the following form:You can also enter the product key by making changes in the Settings as follows:
• Click the ‘Start’ button
• Select ‘Settings’
• Select ‘Update & Security’
• Select ‘Activation’
• Select ‘Update Product Key’
• Select ‘Change Product Key’
The product key can be used to activate Windows 10 in the following cases:
• Activation of a new computer for the first time
• Activation of the motherboard for the first time
• Activation of a refurbished computer (which is already running Windows 10)
• Activation after reinstallation of Windows 10
• Reactivation after major hardware changes
What happens if Windows 10 license does not match the Windows 10 version?
Your Windows 10 license should match with the Windows 10 version that you are using. If your license is linked with Windows 10 Home version, it cannot be used with the Windows 10 Pro version and vice-versa.You can find the Windows version present in your computer by performing the following steps:
• Click the ‘Start’ button
• Select ‘Settings’
• Select ‘Update & Security’
• Select ‘Activation’
• Upgrade from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro and activation of Windows 10
If you would like to activate Windows 10 after upgrading from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro, you should ensure that your PC runs the most up-to-date Windows 10 Home version. In this context, you are advised to run all the Windows 10 Home updates.
