See Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change for more info about reactivating Windows 10 after making a significant change to your device's hardware. See Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8. If you're having trouble activating Windows 10, follow these steps to fix activation errors:. Confirm that your device is up to date and running Windows 10, version or later. In the search box on the taskbar, type winver, and then select Winver from the list of results.
You'll see the version and build of Windows. Not running Windows 10, version or later? Learn how to update your device at update Windows Use the Activation troubleshooter to resolve simple errors. For more info, see Try the Activation troubleshooter below. If you're still getting an error, check the list of error codes below and follow the suggested steps to resolve it.
Make sure the error hasn't changed. Sometimes when you run the Activation troubleshooter or try to activate, the error code and message will change. If the error code has changed, look up the new code below and follow the recommended steps. If you're getting an error code that isn't listed on this page, contact customer support. Not running Windows 10 yet? If you're running Windows 10, version or later, the Activation troubleshooter might help reactivate Windows if you recently made a significant hardware change such as replacing the motherboard or reinstalled Windows.
You must be an administrator to use this option. For more info, see Using the Activation troubleshooter. The following are some of the most common activation errors with possible solutions for Windows This version includes improvements to activation and troubleshooting activation errors. For more info about how activation works in Windows 10, see Activate Windows For more info about how to activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.
A Windows license is associated with your device hardware. If Windows was preinstalled on the device and you have made a change such as replacing the motherboard, you'll need a new license.
Open Activation settings. Additionally, Microsoft provides an exception path for transferring a Windows License after a hardware change. Select it to follow this path. For more info, see Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change. The product key used on this device didn't work with this edition of Windows. You might need to get in touch with the store or company you bought Windows from, enter a different product key, or go to the Store to buy genuine Windows.
If the troubleshooter detects a valid Windows 10 digital license for an edition not currently installed, it will let you know and show you how to install the correct edition.
In addition, Microsoft provides an exception path for transferring a Windows License after a hardware change. This may occur if you have a volume license client installed. Windows 10 Pro volume license clients are used by large organizations that deploy Windows 10 to hundreds or thousands of computers.
In this situation, activation is typically managed by your organization, and you'll need to contact your system administrator for assistance. For more info, see Troubleshooting Windows license expiration issues. Here's how to activate Windows:. If you have a valid product key, select Change product key , and then enter the character product key. Note: Your product key should be in the confirmation email you received after buying Windows, included with the packaging that came with your device, or on the Certificate of Authenticity COA attached to the back or bottom of your device.
For more info on how to troubleshoot error code 0xF, see Fix Windows 10 activation error 0xF You must use a valid product key to activate Windows. Your product key should be in the confirmation email you received after buying Windows, included with the packaging that came with your device, or on the Certificate of Authenticity COA attached to the back or bottom of your device.
Select Change product key , and then enter the character product key. If you've made a major change to your device's hardware, such as a motherboard replacement, run the Windows Activation troubleshooter located on the activation settings page.
Note that you might be asked to go through the reactivation process. You entered a product key that can't be used to activate Windows. Enter a different product key or buy a new product key. You upgraded to Windows 10, but the activation servers were busy.
If you upgraded from an activated copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8. If you continue to have problems with activation, contact customer support. You upgraded to Windows 10 using the free upgrade offer, but Windows 10 isn't activated after a reinstall. Your copy of Windows 10 should automatically be activated as long as you didn't make any significant hardware changes to your device such as replacing the motherboard.
Product keys are unique—assigned to a specific user to install on a single device. If you bought a device from a reseller of Windows 10 and expected the key to be valid, contact the reseller.
If your device was purchased with Windows 10 preinstalled and you received this activation error upon turning it on for the first time, contact your device manufacturer. Check to see if you have a paper copy of your Windows character product key you can enter to activate Windows If your device was recently repaired at an independent repair facility, contact them to see if the repairs require a new Windows 10 license.
You might see this error if you entered an invalid product key or a product key for a different version of Windows. Enter a valid product key that matches the version and edition of Windows 10 installed on your device.
If Windows is installed on a device that connects to a Key Management Service KMS server, contact your organization's support person for more info about how to activate Windows. You might see this error if you entered a product key for a different edition of Windows than the edition installed on your device.
You might also see this error if you previously upgraded to Windows 10, but the current edition of Windows installed on your device doesn't match the edition of your digital license. You can either enter a valid product key that matches the edition of Windows installed on your device or reinstall the edition of Windows 10 that matches your digital license. If your device is running Windows 10 Version or later , the Activation troubleshooter can help you install the correct edition of Windows on your device.
You might see this error if you entered a product key for a different version or edition of Windows. For example, a product key for the Enterprise edition of Windows 10 can't be used to activate Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Core editions.
Enter a product key that matches the version and edition of Windows installed on your device or buy a new copy of Windows from the Microsoft Store. You might see this error if you're not connected to the internet or your firewall settings are preventing Windows from completing the activation process online.
Make sure that you're connected to the internet and your firewall isn't blocking Windows from activating. If you're still having problems, try to activate Windows by phone. It brings the desktop to life since Microsoft has revolutionized the Home windows look with the subway design port.
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