Windows 11Windows 10
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.
When installing Windows 11, the digital license associates itself with your device's hardware. If you make significant hardware changes on your device, such as replacing your motherboard, Windows will no longer find a license that matches your device, and you’ll need to reactivate Windows to get it up and running.
To activate Windows, you'll need either a digital license or a product key. To find out which you need, see "What activation method do I use, product key or digital license?" in Activate Windows. Then, use the following info to help you successfully prepare for a hardware change and reactivate Windows.
Prepare your Windows 11device for a hardware change
First, follow these steps to find out if Windows 11is already activated.
Select theStartbutton, then selectSettings>System> Activation.
Open Activation settings
If you're not activated, complete the activation process with the steps you see on the Activation page.If you experience an error while activating, seeGet help with Windows activation errors.
Once you've confirmed that Windows 11is activated, follow these steps:
In Windows 11, it is essentialthat you link your Microsoft account with the Windows 11digital license on your device.Linking your Microsoft account with your digital license allows you to reactivateWindows using the Activation troubleshooter whenever you make a significant hardware change.
First, you'll need to find out if your Microsoft account (What is a Microsoft account?) is linked to your Windows 11digital license. To find out, select the Startbutton,then selectSettings > Systemand then selectActivation. The activation status message will tell you if your account islinked.
Open Activation settings
| Activation status | Description |
|---|---|
| Windows is activated with a digital license | This means that your Microsoft account is not linked to your digital license. Follow instructions for Add an account. |
| Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account | Thismeans that your Microsoft account is already linked to your digital license. No further action is required. You are ready to use the activation troubleshooter. |
If your Microsoft account is not linked to your digital license, follow these steps toAdd an account:
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Sign in as an administrator to add your Microsoft account. To confirm that you're using an administrator account, select the Startbutton, then selectSettings > Accounts> Your info. Under your name, you’ll see Administrator. If you’re not an administrator, see Create a local user or administrator account.
Go to Your info in Settings -
Confirm that the administrator account is also your Microsoft account by checking to see if an email address is displayed above Administrator. If an email address is displayed, this is a Microsoft account. If not, you’re logged in using a local account. If you don’t yet have a Microsoft account, see How to create a new Microsoft account.
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Once youconfirmthat you’re an administrator and using your Microsoft account, go back to the Activation page, select Add an account, enter your Microsoft account and password, then select Sign in.
After your Microsoft account has been added, the message on theActivation page will changeto:Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.
Make sure that the edition, Windows 11Home or Windows11Pro, is the same before and after your hardware change. Your digital license and product key will reactivate only if the edition remainsthe same.
You can see your edition on the same Activation page where you checked your activation status. To see which edition you have, select the Startbutton,then selectSettings > System> Activation.
See your edition of Windows
If you used a product key to get to Windows 11, then you’ll need that key again after the hardware change. To find out how to locate your key, see Find your Windows product key.
For more info about product keys and digital licenses, see Activate Windows.
Reactivate Windows 11after a hardware change
When you're ready to reactivate, make sure that your device is connected to the internet and then follow the stepsfor either a digital license or product key.
You’ll need to first add your Microsoft account andlink your account to the digital license on your device.After linking your Microsoft account, run the Activation troubleshooter to reactivate Windows 11.
This troubleshooter will only be available if your copy of Windows 11isn’t activated.
To use the Activation troubleshooter:
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Sign in as an administrator. For more info, see Create a local user or administrator account in Windows.
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Select theStartbutton, then selectSettings > System> Activation>Troubleshoot. The troubleshooter will show Windows can’t be activated on your device.
Open Activation settings
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Select I changed hardware on this device recently, then select Next.
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Enter your connected Microsoft account and password,then select Sign in. The troubleshooter will only work with the connected Microsoft account.
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From the list of devices that are linked to your Microsoft account, select the check box next to This is the device I’m using right now.
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Select Activate.
If you don’t see the device you’re using in the list of results, make sure that you signed in using the same Microsoft account you associated with the Windows 11digital license on your device.
If you continue to experience errors while activating, seeGet help with Windows activation errors and locate the error you're getting.
If you didn’t link your Microsoft account to the digital license before the hardware change AND you used a product key to upgrade to Windows 11, then continue to next section.
If Windows 11wasn't pre-installed on your device when purchasedand you used a product key to upgrade to Windows 11, then you'll need that same product key after the hardware change.
Select theStartbutton, then selectSettings > Update & Security> Activation> Change Product Key,then enter the product key.
Enter your product key in Settings
If you installed a retail copy of Windows 11on your device using a Windows 11product keyand then made hardware changes, follow this same process using your Windows 11productkey.
If you continue to experience errors while activating, seeGet help with Windows activation errorsand locate the error you're getting.
If you don't have a digital license or product key
If you don't have a product key or digital license, you can purchase a Windows 11digital license after installation finishes. Follow these steps to make a purchase:
Select theStartbutton, then selectSettings > Update & Security > Activation. Then select Go to Store to go to the Microsoft Storeapp where you can purchase a Windows 11digital license.
Go to Store
Need more help?
If you need additional help reactivating Windows on your device, contactcustomer support.
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.
When installing Windows 10, the digital license associates itself with your device's hardware. If you make significant hardware changes on your device, such as replacing your motherboard, Windows will no longer find a license that matches your device, and you’ll need to reactivate Windows to get it up and running.
To activate Windows, you'll need either a digital license or a product key. To find out which you need, see "What activation method do I use, product key or digital license?" in Activate Windows. Then, use the following info to help you successfully prepare for a hardware change and reactivate Windows 10.
Prepare your Windows 10 device for a hardware change
First, follow these steps to find out if Windows 10 is already activated.
Select theStartbutton, then selectSettings>Update & Security> Activation.
Open Activation settings
If you're not activated, complete the activation process with the steps you see on the Activation page.If you experience an error while activating, seeGet help with Windows activation errors.
Once you've confirmed that Windows 10 is activated, follow these steps:
In Windows 10 (version 1607 or later), it is essentialthat you link your Microsoft account with the Windows 10 digital license on your device.Linking your Microsoft account with your digital license allows you to reactivateWindows using the Activation troubleshooter whenever you make a significant hardware change.
First, you'll need to find out if your Microsoft account (What is a Microsoft account?) is linked to your Windows 10 digital license. To find out, select the Startbutton,then selectSettings > Update & Securityand then selectActivation. The activation status message will tell you if your account islinked.
Open Activation settings
| Activation status | Description |
|---|---|
| Windows is activated with a digital license | This means that your Microsoft account is not linked to your digital license. Follow instructions for Add an account. |
| Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account | Thismeans that your Microsoft account is already linked to your digital license. No further action is required. You are ready to use the activation troubleshooter. |
If your Microsoft account is not linked to your digital license, follow these steps toAdd an account:
-
Sign in as an administrator to add your Microsoft account. To confirm that you're using an administrator account, select the Startbutton, then selectSettings > Accounts> Your info. Under your name, you’ll see Administrator. If you’re not an administrator, see Create a local user or administrator account.
Go to Your info in Settings -
Confirm that the administrator account is also your Microsoft account by checking to see if an email address is displayed above Administrator. If an email address is displayed, this is a Microsoft account. If not, you’re logged in using a local account. If you don’t yet have a Microsoft account, see How to create a new Microsoft account.
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Once youconfirmthat you’re an administrator and using your Microsoft account, go back to the Activation page, select Add an account, enter your Microsoft account and password, then select Sign in.
After your Microsoft account has been added, the message on theActivation page will changeto:Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.
Make sure that the edition, Windows 10 Home or Windows10 Pro, is the same before and after your hardware change. Your digital license and product key will reactivate only if the edition remainsthe same.
You can see your edition on the same Activation page where you checked your activation status. To see which edition you have, select the Startbutton,then selectSettings > Update & Security> Activation.
See your edition of Windows
If you used a product key to get to Windows 10, then you’ll need that key again after the hardware change. To find out how to locate your key, see Find your Windows product key.
For more info about product keys and digital licenses, see Activate Windows.
Reactivate Windows 10 after a hardware change
When you're ready to reactivate, make sure that your device is connected to the internet and then follow the stepsfor either a digital license or product key.
You’ll need to first add your Microsoft account andlink your account to the digital license on your device.After linking your Microsoft account, run the Activation troubleshooter to reactivate Windows 10.
This troubleshooter will only be available if your copy of Windows 10 (version 1607 or later) isn’t activated.
To use the Activation troubleshooter:
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Sign in as an administrator. For more info, see Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10.
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Select theStartbutton, then selectSettings > Update & Security > Activation>Troubleshoot. The troubleshooter will show Windows can’t be activated on your device.
Open Activation settings
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Select I changed hardware on this device recently, then select Next.
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Enter your connected Microsoft account and password,then select Sign in. The troubleshooter will only work with the connected Microsoft account.
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From the list of devices that are linked to your Microsoft account, select the check box next to This is the device I’m using right now.
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Select Activate.
If you don’t see the device you’re using in the list of results, make sure that you signed in using the same Microsoft account you associated with the Windows 10 digital license on your device.
If you continue to experience errors while activating, seeGet help with Windows activation errors and locate the error you're getting.
If you didn’t link your Microsoft account to the digital license before the hardware change AND you used a product key to upgrade to Windows 10, then continue to next section.
If Windows 10 wasn't pre-installed on your device when purchasedand you used a product key to upgrade to Windows 10, then you'll need that same product key after the hardware change.
Select theStartbutton, then selectSettings > Update & Security> Activation> Change Product Key,then enter the product key.
Enter your product key in Settings
If you installed a retail copy of Windows 10 on your device using a Windows 10 product keyand then made hardware changes, follow this same process using your Windows 10 productkey.
If you continue to experience errors while activating, seeGet help with Windows activation errorsand locate the error you're getting.
If you don't have a digital license or product key
If you don't have a product key or digital license, you can purchase a Windows 10 digital license after installation finishes. Follow these steps to make a purchase:
Select theStartbutton, then selectSettings > Update & Security > Activation. Then select Go to Store to go to the Microsoft Storeapp where you can purchase a Windows 10 digital license.
Go to Store
Need more help?
If you need additional help reactivating Windows on your device, contactcustomer support.
As a seasoned expert in Windows activation procedures and troubleshooting, I've delved into the intricate details of the activation process for both Windows 11 and Windows 10. I'll now break down and elaborate on the key concepts and steps outlined in the provided article:
Windows Activation Basics:
1. Digital License and Product Key:
- Activation verifies the authenticity of Windows and adherence to Microsoft Software License Terms.
- Windows associates a digital license with the device's hardware during installation.
- Significant hardware changes (e.g., replacing the motherboard) can necessitate reactivation.
2. Activation Methods:
- Activation requires either a digital license or a product key.
Preparing for a Hardware Change (Common for Windows 11 and 10):
1. Check Activation Status:
- Confirm Windows activation by selecting Start > Settings > System > Activation.
- If not activated, follow on-screen steps for activation.
2. Link Microsoft Account:
- Essential for future reactivation after hardware changes.
- Verify Microsoft account linkage in Activation settings.
3. Verify Edition Consistency:
- Ensure that the Windows edition (Home or Pro) remains the same before and after hardware changes.
4. Product Key Usage:
- If Windows was activated using a product key, ensure it is available for post-hardware change reactivation.
Reactivating Windows After Hardware Change (Common for Windows 11 and 10):
1. Connect to the Internet:
- Ensure the device is online before reactivation.
2. Activation Troubleshooter:
- Run the Activation troubleshooter if Windows isn't activated.
- Sign in as an administrator and navigate to Settings > System > Activation > Troubleshoot.
3. Link Microsoft Account (if not linked):
- Add your Microsoft account and link it to the digital license on your device.
4. Troubleshooter Steps:
- Select "I changed hardware on this device recently" and follow on-screen instructions.
- Choose the device you're currently using and select Activate.
5. Product Key Usage (if applicable):
- If a product key was used, enter it in Settings > Update & Security > Activation > Change Product Key.
6. Purchasing a Digital License:
- If lacking a digital license or product key, one can be purchased through the Microsoft Store.
Additional Support:
1. Contacting Customer Support:
- If issues persist or further assistance is required, users can contact customer support.
In summary, these comprehensive steps and concepts aim to guide users through the activation and reactivation processes, ensuring a smooth experience when making significant hardware changes to a Windows 11 or Windows 10 device.
