How to Get Windows 11 or Windows 10 for Free (or Under $20) | Tom's Hardware - Activating Windows 10 OS with Windows 11 key
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You Don’t Need a Product Key to Install and Use Windows 10 - 1. Is It Possible to Get Free Windows 10 Product Key |
I have a windows 10 product key can i. How to Find a Windows 10 or 11 Product Key
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. The email address that you used for your Windows Insider login will likely be the MSA containing your digital license.
Find your product key either on the device packaging or on the Certificate of Authenticity COA attached to your device. A digital license will be given to your device for Windows 11 based on the valid product key you entered.
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. Buying from the Microsoft Store online. If you don't have a digital license or a product key, you can purchase a Windows 11 digital license after installation finishes. Here's how:. Select the Start button. 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. If you don't have a digital license, you can use a product key to activate. To learn how to activate using a product key, follow the steps at Activate using a product key.
If you are installing Windows on a new device or motherboard for the first time and you do not have a product key, select I don't have a product key during the installation setup screens. When prompted, enter the Microsoft account you want to use to purchase a digital license for this device. Then select Open Store to purchase a digital license to activate Windows. If you have a digital license for your device, you can reinstall the same edition of Windows 11 on this device without entering a product key.
Make sure that Windows 11 is activated before you try to reinstall it. Your Microsoft account is not linked to your digital license. Follow instructions for Linking your Microsoft account.
If your digital license is not linked to your Microsoft account, follow the steps under Checking your Activation status, Linking your Microsoft account. Once you have your account linked, then you can run setup to reinstall Windows For more info about how to create installation media to reinstall Windows 11, go to the Microsoft software download website. When creating installation media, make sure to choose the edition of Windows 11 that matches the edition already installed on your device.
Windows 11 will automatically activate online after the installation is complete. If you linked your digital license with your Microsoft account, be sure to sign in to the Microsoft account that is linked to the digital license.
When you make a significant hardware change to your device, such as replacing the motherboard, Windows 11 might no longer be activated. Make sure you associate your Microsoft account to your digital license to prepare for hardware changes. The association enables you to reactivate Windows using the Activation troubleshooter if you make a significant hardware change later. For more info, see Reactivating Windows after a hardware change. During installation, you'll be prompted to enter a product key.
Change product key in Settings. To locate your product key, see the product key table in Activation methods, What activation method do I use, a digital license or a product key? Note: Microsoft only keeps a record of product keys if you purchased from the Microsoft online store.
You can find out if you purchased from Microsoft in your Microsoft account Order history. For more help, see Find your Windows product key.
If you have a product key, then you can use Change product key to activate Windows 11 in each of the following scenarios. Below is supplemental information that might help you with activation:. 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. After the installation is complete, Windows 11 will automatically be activated online. Note: In some cases, you might need to enter the Windows 11 product key that either came with the device packaging, was included as a card, or that appears on the Certificate of Authenticity COA attached to the device.
If you don't have a Windows 11 product key, you'll have the option to buy one during installation. 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. 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.
Type in the product key found on the COA and follow the instructions. When you type in your product key, you will have an activated edition of Windows If you finished setup and did not enter your product key, you can still enter your product key. Otherwise you can enter your product key during installation of Windows. For more info, see Reactivating Windows 11 after a hardware change. Check to see which edition you purchased, Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro.
Check your Windows edition in Settings. Join Windows Insider Program. Note: If you're reinstalling Windows 11 Insider Preview, and the same edition of Windows 11 or Windows 11 Insider Preview builds newer than was already activated on your device, your digital license will automatically activate Windows.
If you need help finding your product key, see Find your Windows product key. If you need help determining if your copy of Windows is genuine Microsoft software, see the How to tell page. If you're curious about Windows updates instead of Windows activation, see Update Windows. You'll first want to find out if your Windows 10 is activated and linked to your Microsoft account. It is essential that you link your Microsoft account to the Windows 10 license on your device.
Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10, you'll need either a digital license or a character product key to activate it. A digital license called a digital entitlement in Windows 10, Version is a method of activation in Windows 10 that doesn't require you to enter a product key.
Upgrading to Windows 10 for free from an eligible device running a genuine copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8. Being a Windows Insider and upgrading to the newest Windows 10 Insider Preview build on an eligible device that was running an activated earlier version of Windows and Windows 10 Preview. A digital license will be given to your device for Windows 10 based on the valid product key you entered. If you don't have a digital license or a product key, you can purchase a Windows 10 digital license after installation finishes.
Then select Go to the Store to purchase a digital license to activate Windows. If you have a digital license for your device, you can reinstall the same edition of Windows 10 on this device without entering a product key. Make sure that Windows 10 is activated before you try to reinstall it. For more info about how to create installation media to reinstall Windows 10, go to the Microsoft software download website.
When creating installation media, make sure to choose the edition of Windows 10 that matches the edition already installed on your device. Windows 10 will automatically activate online after the installation is complete.
When you make a significant hardware change to your device, such as replacing the motherboard, Windows 10 might no longer be activated. If you have a product key, then you can use Change product key to activate Windows 10 in each of the following scenarios. For example, you'll need a valid product key to install and activate Windows 10 Pro on a device that had Windows 10 Home installed.
After the installation is complete, Windows 10 will automatically be activated online. Note: In some cases, you might need to enter the Windows 10 product key that either came with the device packaging, was included as a card, or that appears on the Certificate of Authenticity COA attached to the device. If you don't have a Windows 10 product key, you'll have the option to buy one during installation.
When you buy a refurbished device running Windows 10, you'll need to activate Windows using the product key on the Certificate of Authenticity COA that's attached to your device. Check to see which edition you purchased, Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro. Note: If you're reinstalling Windows 10 Insider Preview, and the same edition of Windows 10 or Windows 10 Insider Preview builds newer than was already activated on your device, your digital license will automatically activate Windows.
Table of contents. Activation Overview. Install and Upgrades. Activation Troubleshooting. Windows 11 Windows 10 More Checking your activation status You'll first want to find out if your Windows 11 is activated and linked to your Microsoft account. Check activation status in Settings You'll see one of these activation status messages on the Activation page: Activation status Description Windows is activated You are activated.
Microsoft account is not linked. Windows is activated with a digital license You are activated. Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account You are activated.
And you can even pay to upgrade to a licensed copy of Windows 10 after you install it. Just begin the installation process and install Windows 10 like you normally would. You may be asked to enter a product key later in the process, too — if you are, just look for a similar small link to skip that screen.
Whatever version you choose, Windows 10 will install normally. These days, Windows just complains at you in a few minor, cosmetic ways. Eventually, Windows will start nagging you a tiny bit. Activate Windows now. You can still change your wallpaper in other ways, however. Aside from these basic limitations, your Windows 10 system will continue to work forever.
The only thing that could change this is a Windows 10 update, but Microsoft has become increasingly lenient since Windows 7. In the Store, you can purchase an official Windows license that will activate your PC. This is a digital purchase, and it will immediately cause your current Windows installation to become activated. This option may not be available in all countries. The prices here are for the US version of the Windows Store. Microsoft charges different prices in different countries and currencies.
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