When you have not bought a genuine copy of Windows 10, sometimes, the system will flash a message ‘Activate Windows’. There are some simple ways in which you can activate your Windows 10.

Usually, you'd activate Windows 11 (or 10) using the Settings app to enter the product key. However, if you're in an ...

Microsoft stopped this and instead started forcing users to activate in other ways. With Windows 10 and 11, Microsoft is even ...

From here, Microsoft will make sure to activate Windows for you. This would have been an easier process if Windows 11/10 was tied to a Microsoft account. Still, it might help if you signed in to ...

In December 2022, we published a short PSA, reminding users they could still activate Windows 11 and 10 with valid Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 keys. This practice dates back to 2015 when Microsoft ...

Microsoft says it is not aware of any known issues in KB5046714. However, beware of a bug that breaks updates for packaged applications (it is not directly related to a certain Windows Update).

Also, bear in mind that activation depends on what type of Windows 8.1/10/11 license for your device. If Windows 8.1/10/11 came pre-installed with the computer, then the device has an OEM license.

The method used to activate Windows for single-user licenses starting with Windows XP and Windows Server 2003. Bulk licenses to companies do not contain Windows Product Activation (WPA).

The hack can also reportedly activate licenses tied to the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program, allowing Windows 10 users to access free security patches beyond the official end-of-support ...