How to activate Windows 11 or 10

Before you start

• Find your key in the email we sent you, or in your account.
• Make sure the key matches your edition. A Home key activates Windows Home, a Pro key activates Windows Pro.
• Connect to the internet. Activation happens online through Microsoft.

Activate Windows 11

1. Open Settings (press Windows + I).
2. Go to System › Activation.
3. Open Upgrade your edition of Windows if you see it, then select Change next to Change product key.
4. Type your 25-character key and select Next.
5. Select Activate. After a few seconds you'll see that Windows is activated.

Activate Windows 10

1. Open Settings › Update & Security › Activation.
2. Select Change product key.
3. Enter your key, select Next, then Activate.

Upgrade Windows Home to Pro

If your PC runs Windows Home and you bought a Pro key, enter the Pro key the same way. Windows downloads the Pro features and asks you to restart. Your files and apps stay where they are.

Installing Windows from scratch

Download the official installer from Microsoft's Windows 11 download page (or the Windows 10 page). During setup you can enter your key, or choose I don't have a product key and activate later in Settings. Pick the same edition as your key (Home or Pro).

Check that Windows is activated

Go to Settings › System › Activation. It should say Active or Windows is activated. If you see an error code, see Windows activation error codes.