How to Activate Windows 10: A Step-by-Step Guide

Activating your Windows 10 operating system is a crucial step in ensuring that it functions properly. In this article, we will walk you through the process of activating your device using either a digital license or a product key.

What You'll Need

To activate your Windows 10 device, you will need either a digital license or a 25-character product key. A digital license is a method of activation that does not require you to enter a product key, whereas a product key is a unique code used to activate Windows.

Methods of Activation

Depending on how you obtained your copy of Windows 10, you may need a digital license or a product key to activate it. The following sections will outline the steps for each method.

Activating Using a Digital License

If you have a digital license, you can activate your device by linking your Microsoft account to your digital entitlement. To do this:

1. Confirm that you are an administrator and using your Microsoft account.

2. Go back to the Activation page, select Add an account, enter your Microsoft account and password, and then select Sign in.

3. Once your Microsoft account has been added, on the Activation page, you will see 'Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.'

Activating Using a Product Key

If you have a product key, you can activate your device by entering it into the activation window. To do this:

1. Go to the Activation page and select 'Activate using a product key.'

2. Enter your 25-character product key and select Next.

3. Follow the prompts to complete the activation process.

Troubleshooting Activation Issues

If you are having trouble activating your device, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue. If you have already purchased a license for your device and still receive an error message, continue to the 'Methods of Activation' section above. If you need to purchase a license for your device, see the article on 'Purchasing a Windows 10 License.'

In this article, we have outlined the steps for activating your Windows 10 device using either a digital license or a product key. By following these steps, you should be able to successfully activate your device and begin using it to its full potential.

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