Activate Windows 11 Online : Activate Windows Using a Product Key or Digital License
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.
Checking your activation status
You’ll first want to find out if your Windows 11 is activated and linked to your Microsoft account.
It is essential that you link your Microsoft account to the Windows 11 license on your device. Linking your Microsoft account with your digital license enables you to reactivate Windows using the Activation troubleshooter whenever you make a significant hardware change.
To check activation status in Windows 11, select the Start button, and then select Settings > System and then select Activation . Your activation status will be listed next to Activation.
Activation status |
Description |
|---|---|
| Windows is activated |
|
| Windows is activated with a digital license |
|
| Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account |
|
| Windows is not activated |
Linking your Microsoft account
To link your Microsoft account, follow these instructions:
- Sign in as an administrator to add your Microsoft account. To confirm you’re using an administrator account, select the Start button, then select Settings > 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 with a local account.
- Once you confirm that 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, and then select Sign in.
After your Microsoft account has been added, on the Activation page you’ll see Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.
Methods of activation
Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 11, you’ll need either a digital license or a 25-character product key to activate it. Without one of these, you won’t be able to activate your device.
- A digital license (called a digital entitlement in Windows 11) is a method of activation in Windows 11 that doesn’t require you to enter a product key.
- A product key is a 25-character code used to activate Windows. What you’ll see is PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.
After determining which activation method you use, follow the steps in the corresponding Activate using a digital license or Activate using a product key.
Your activation method depends on how you got your copy of Windows 11.
If you got Windows 11 by… |
Activation method |
|---|---|
| Upgrading to Windows 11 for free from an eligible device running a genuine copy of Windows 10, Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 | Digital license
If you associated or signed onto a Microsoft Account or associated your MSA with your digital license, that will be your MSA containing the digital license. |
| Buying a Windows 11 Pro upgrade from the Microsoft Store app and successfully activated Windows 11 | Digital license
When purchasing from Microsoft Store, a confirmation email was sent to confirm the purchase. That email address (MSA) will contain the digital license. |
| Being a Windows Insider and upgrading to the newest Windows 11 Insider Preview build on an eligible device that was running an activated earlier version of Windows 11 and Windows 11 Preview | Digital license
The email address that you used for your Windows Insider login will likely be the MSA containing your digital license. |
| Buying genuine Windows 11 from the Microsoft Store app | Digital license
When purchasing from Microsoft Store, a confirmation email was sent to confirm the purchase. That email address (MSA) will contain the digital license. |
| Buying a PC that came with Windows 11 | Product key
Find your product key either on the device packaging or on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to your device. |
| Buying a box copy of Windows 11 from an authorized retailer | Product key
Find your product key on a label inside the Windows 11 box. |
| Buying a digital copy of Windows 11 from an authorized retailer | Product key
Find your product key in the confirmation email you received after buying Windows 11 or in a digital locker accessible through the retailer’s website. A digital license will be given to your device for Windows 11 based on the valid product key you entered. |
| Having a Volume Licensing agreement for Windows 11 or MSDN subscription | Product key
Your product key is available through the web portal for your program. |
| Buying a new or refurbished device running Windows 11 | Product key
Your product key is preinstalled on your device, included with the device packaging, or included as a card or on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to the device. If you bought a refurbished PC, the refurbisher, not Microsoft, must provide you a product key. |
| Buying from the Microsoft Store online | Product key
Find your product key in the confirmation email that contains the order history. |
Activate using a digital license
Digital licenses are associated with your hardware and linked to your Microsoft account, so there’s nothing you need to find on your PC. You’re all set once your PC is connected to the internet and you log in to your Microsoft account.
Activate using a product key
A product key is a 25-character code, that looks like this:
PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
During installation, you’ll be prompted to enter a product key. Or, after installation, to enter the product key, select the Start button, and then select Settings > System > Activation > Update product key > Change product key.
First time installation and activation on a new device or motherboard
You’ll need to use a valid product key to activate Windows 11 on a device that has never had an activated copy of Windows 11 on it.
You’ll also need to use a valid product key if you’re installing an edition of Windows 11 that wasn’t previously activated on the device. For example, you’ll need a valid product key to install and activate Windows 11 Pro on a device that had Windows 11 Home installed.
During the installation, you’ll be asked to enter a valid product key. After the installation is complete, Windows 11 will automatically be activated online. To check activation status in Windows 11, select the Start button, and then select Settings > System > Activation .
Check activation status in Settings
Activate a refurbished device running Windows 11
When you buy a refurbished device running Windows 11, you’ll need to activate Windows using the product key on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) that’s attached to your device.
If your original hardware manufacturer (OEM) changed the motherboard for you, your PC should reactivate automatically. If it doesn’t activate, your OEM might have provided a COA card with a 25-character key under a gray scratch cover. Follow these steps to get activated.:
Note: To remove the gray coating that conceals the product key, gently scratch it off using a coin or your fingernail.
- Select the Start button, and then select Settings > System > Activation .
- Select Change product key.
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Type in the product key found on the COA and follow the instructions.
Activate after reinstalling Windows 11
During reinstallation, you’ll be asked to enter a product key. When you type in your product key, you will have an activated edition of Windows 11.
If you finished setup and did not enter your product key, you can still enter your product key. Select the Start button, and then select Activation > Update product key > Change product key.
Activate the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview
If you’re a Windows Insider and have been running Windows 11 Insider Preview builds you’ll automatically receive new builds that have been activated, provided Windows was activated on your device before upgrading to the new build.
To check activation status in Windows 11, select the Start button, and then select Settings > System > Activation .
If you’re not already part of the Windows Insider program and you’d like to join, select the Start button and then select Settings > System > Windows Insider Program > Get started.
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