All the ways to activate Windows 10 and How to tell if it’s Activated
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. Moreover, we can find cheapest windows 10 key for the installation from reliable providers.
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 for Windows 10 Activator. 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 will 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 of buying 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 of 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.
With that password, the first thing we will have to do to complete the activation is to open the System Settings 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 deactivated 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.
