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. This article will help you troubleshoot and fix common activation errors in Windows. For help finding your product key, see Find your Windows product key . For troubleshooting and other info about updating Windows 11, see Windows Update: FAQ or Troubleshoot problems updating Windows . For info on upgrading to Windows 11, see Upgrade to Windows 11: FAQ . Activating Windows See Activate Windows for general info about activation, including how to choose your activation method. See Reactivating Windows after a hardware change for more info about reactivating Windows 11 after making a significant change to your device's hardware. See Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 for info about activation of earlier versions of Windows. If you're having trouble activating Windows 11, follow these steps to fix activation errors: Confirm that your device is up to date and running Windows 11. 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 11? Learn how to update your device at update Windows . Use the Activation troubleshooter to resolve simple errors. For more info, see Run the Windows 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 11 yet? See Activate Windows or Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 . Run the Windows Activation troubleshooter If you are using a Windows 11 device, start by running the automated Windows Activation troubleshooter in the Get Help app. It will automatically run diagnostics and attempt to fix most of the problems. If you are using an older version of Windows or a mobile device, please skip to Most common Windows Activation errors section. Run the troubleshooter in Get Help Most common Windows Activation errors The following are some of the most common activation errors with possible solutions for Windows 11. If you're getting an error code that isn't listed on this page, contact customer support . If you upgraded to Windows 11 for free and your device isn’t activated, make sure you’re running the latest version of Windows 11. This version includes improvements to activation and troubleshooting activation errors. For more info about how to keep Windows up to date, see Windows Update: FAQ . For more info about how activation works in Windows 11 or Windows 10, see Activate Windows . For more info about how to activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 including how to activate either by phone, see Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 . To purchase a new Windows license, Start > Settings > System > Activation , and then select Go to Microsoft Store . Open Activation settings If you have a Windows product key previously used on your device before the hardware change, enter it by selecting Start > Settings > System > Activation , and then selecting Change product key . To access this exception path, select Start > Settings > System > Activation , and then select Troubleshoot . If the troubleshooter can’t resolve the issue, you’ll see a link to reactivate after a hardware change. Select it to follow this path. For more info, see Reactivating Windows after a hardware change . Select Start > Settings > System > Activation . If you have a valid product key, select Change product key , and then enter the 25-character product key. If you don’t have a valid product key, select Go to Microsoft Store , and follow the instructions to buy a digital license for Windows. Open Activation settings Select Start > Settings > System > Activation . Select Change product key , and then enter the 25-character product key. Open Activation settings 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 11, but the activation servers were busy. If you upgraded from an activated copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, your copy of Windows 11 will be automatically activated, or you can wait a while and then select Activate . If you continue to have problems with activation, contact customer support . You upgraded to Windows 11 using the free upgrade offer, but Windows 11 isn't activated after a reinstall. Your copy of Windows 11 should automatically be activated as long as you didn't make any significant hardware changes to your device (such as replacing the motherboard). If you continue to have problems with activation, contact customer support . Run the Windows Activation Troubleshooter: Select Start > Settings > System > Activation and then select Troubleshoot . Open Activation settings Check to see if you have a paper copy of your Windows 25-character product key you can enter to activate Windows 11. If your device was recently repaired at an independent repair facility, contact them to see if the repairs require a new Windows 11 license. If the device is new and has never been activated, contact your device manufacturer. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation . Select Go to Microsoft Store , then follow the instructions to buy Windows 11. Open Activation settings You might see this error if you entered a product key for the Enterprise edition of Windows to activate Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro. Try entering a product key that matches the edition of Windows on your device. Or, you might see this error if you're trying to activate your work device but aren't connected to your workplace's network. If you're connected to your work network and still see this error, you might need to change the network settings. Contact your organization's support person for more info. If your organization doesn't have a support person, you might need to enter your product key again: Select Start > Settings > System > Activation . Select Change product key , and then type your 25-character product key. Open Activation settings In the search box on the taskbar, type network troubleshooter , then select Identify and repair network problems from the list of results. Follow the instructions to fix any problems with the network. Support for Windows 10 has ended on October 14, 2025 After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11.

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. This article will help you troubleshoot and fix common activation errors in Windows. For help finding your product key, see Find your Windows product key . For troubleshooting and other info about updating Windows 10, see Windows Update: FAQ or Troubleshoot problems updating Windows . Activating Windows See Activate Windows for general info about activation, including how to choose your activation method. See Reactivating Windows 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 8.1 for info about activation of earlier versions of Windows. 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 1607 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 1607 or later? Learn how to update your device at update Windows 10 . 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? See Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 . Run the Windows Activation troubleshooter If you are using a Windows 10 device, start by running the automated Windows Activation troubleshooter in the Get Help app. It will automatically run diagnostics and attempt to fix most of the problems. If you are using an older version of Windows or a mobile device, please skip to Most common Windows Activation errors section. Run the troubleshooter in Get Help Most common Windows Activation errors The following are some of the most common activation errors with possible solutions for Windows 10. If you're getting an error code that isn't listed on this page, contact customer support . If you upgraded to Windows 10 for free and your device isn’t activated, make sure you’re running the latest version of Windows 10. This version includes improvements to activation and troubleshooting activation errors. For more info about how to keep Windows up to date, see Windows Update: FAQ . For more info about how activation works in Windows 10, see Activate Windows . For more info about how to activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, including how to activate either by phone, see Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 . To purchase a new Windows license, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation , and then select Go to Microsoft Store . Open Activation settings If you have a Windows product key previously used on your device before the hardware change, enter it by selecting Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation , and then selecting Change product key . To access this exception path, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation , and then select Troubleshoot . If the troubleshooter can’t resolve the issue, you’ll see a link to reactivate after a hardware change. Select it to follow this path. For more info, see Reactivating Windows after a hardware change . Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation . If you have a valid product key, select Change product key , and then enter the 25-character product key. If you don’t have a valid product key, select Go to Microsoft Store , and follow the instructions to buy a digital license for Windows. Open Activation settings Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation . Select Change product key , and then enter the 25-character product key. Open Activation settings 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 8.1, your copy of Windows 10 will be automatically activated, or you can wait a while and then select Activate . 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). If you continue to have problems with activation, contact customer support . Run the Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter: Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation and then select Troubleshoot . Open Activation settings Check to see if you have a paper copy of your Windows 25-character product key you can enter to activate Windows 10. If your device was recently repaired at an independent repair facility, contact them to see if the repairs require a new Windows 10 license. If the device is new and has never been activated, contact your device manufacturer. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation . Select Go to Microsoft Store , then follow the instructions to buy Windows 10. Open Activation settings You might see this error if you entered a product key for the Enterprise edition of Windows to activate Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro. Try entering a product key that matches the edition of Windows on your device. Or, you might see this error if you're trying to activate your work device but aren't connected to your workplace's network. If you're connected to your work network and still see this error, you might need to change the network settings. Contact your organization's support person for more info. If your organization doesn't have a support person, you might need to enter your product key again: Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation . Select Change product key , and then type your 25-character product key. Open Activation settings In the search box on the taskbar, type network troubleshooter , then select Identify and repair network problems from the list of results. Follow the instructions to fix any problems with the network. 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