Windows 10 asks for an activation code. Instructions for activation using KMS activator

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Windows 10 is a new version of the operating system from Microsoft. Having analyzed its capabilities, there is every reason to assume that it will be here for a long time, although frequent updates are expected. Due to its popularity and more comfortable use, its installation is relevant.
It is not necessary to contact computer support, because it can be activated on the Internet absolutely free. You need to reserve 20 minutes of free time and follow our recommendations. Now we will talk about how to activate Windows 10 and tell you what to do if there is no positive result.

Why do you need to activate Windows 10?

Some users wonder: why activate the new Windows, because the operating system somehow works.

Frequently resetting the desktop background image and constantly popping up a window about a new version, of course, is not a reason for changes. But problems with personalization and regular automatic reboots after a couple of hours of operation make you think that maybe it’s time to update the system. Who knows, maybe the cunning Microsoft engineers will come up with something to irritate us even more. Therefore, the sooner you resolve the activation issue, the more relaxed your work with your favorite gadget will become.

How to activate Windows 10?

In order for the system to be activated, you will need to use a digital license or enter a special 25-digit key.

It should be noted that if you are going to install licensed Windows, you will not need a key. This method is suitable for those who plan to update a licensed “seven” or “eight” for free, or have purchased a “ten” installation package in the Windows store. The system is activated automatically as soon as the system establishes a connection to the Internet.

The user can also purchase a key, which will need to be entered after the OS prompts. Activation will occur automatically during a connection to the World Wide Web. The same method is used to verify authentication during installation.

Entering a code is only required during the first installation of the product. With further updates, the Windows service, having remembered the code, will carry out the operation automatically.

How to activate Windows 10 by calling?

It happens that you do not have the Internet at hand or Microsoft servers fail due to severe overloads, you can activate the system over the phone. To do this you will need:

hold down the key combination “Win + R”, type “slui 4” and press Enter;
in the dialog box that appears, indicate your country and select “Next”;
now make a call to the number offered by the system and strictly follow the commands of the answering machine (immediately get ready to write down recommendations, armed with a pen and a piece of paper);
Enter the dictated code and click on the “Windows Activation” button.
You see, it’s quite easy and simple.

Purchasing a key for Windows 10

Do you have a licensed key for older operating systems, such as XP? Unfortunately, it is not suitable for activating Windows 10. Therefore, you need to purchase a “fresh” 25-digit digital code.

Methods of obtaining:

purchasing a licensed OS on disk in a store;
purchase on the official Microsoft OS website, but only in digital format;
use of volume license/MSDN subscription features;
ordering a key to activate the system.

It should be noted that to connect Windows 10, you will have to pay quite a bit of money.

Options for activating Windows 10 without a key

If you don’t have extra funds to buy a key, you can use the old fashioned method, which involves piracy. Of course, the license agreement does not provide for such an option for installing the system, and the law strictly prohibits such manipulations. Therefore, important information for you - you will act at your own peril and risk.

You will need to use an activator program, which is quite easy to find. Be very careful, because often downloading from an unverified resource can infect your device with a malicious virus, which will lead to the loss of data and passwords. There have been cases where users entered their bank cards and lost their savings.

What programs are suitable for activating Windows 10?

If you download a good program to activate the tenth version of Windows, you can easily bypass Microsoft’s protection mechanism and make your OS smooth and obedient. A correctly chosen program will not slow down the system and carry constantly pop-up advertisements.

We can recommend a truly powerful application, KMSAuto Net, which is regularly improved by its developers with frequent updates. In addition, it offers a real way to activate Windows 10 - securely, freely and forever (or at least until the product manufacturer learns to block it). The creator of the Ratiborus activator regularly maintains a special topic on the forum that will help explain to visitors the various capabilities of the program and tell about his new developments.

KMS activator for Windows 10

This activator program can easily be called the best tool for updating the OS.
Advantages:

developer experience and product lifespan;
simplicity for ordinary users;
fast work.

Activating the “ten” with the KMSAuto program can be done effortlessly. Sometimes it will need the NET Framework to work properly, but it already exists on many computers.

Program features:

quite easy to use, no special knowledge is needed to understand how it works;
for advanced users who prefer fine-tuning, there is a special mode;
free;
there is an activation check (perhaps everything is fine with you, but you don’t think twice about it);
suitable for many OS versions - from Vista to 10, and also supports Windows server versions;
can at the same time activate the latest versions of MS Office;
Due to its rich toolkit, it allows you to bypass the manufacturer’s protection mechanism, selecting the most optimal options for you (by default).
In addition, it comes with detailed instructions, particularly in Russian, which will tell users all the intricacies of working with individual modes and other nuances of activation.

Step-by-step instructions for using KMSAuto Net:

A few words about the advanced mode

When you go to the “About” tab and select “Professional Mode”, several tabs for special settings will become available.

They concern those who are interested in certain nuances of IP settings.

By using the “Advanced” tab, you can save the activation information and try the usual setup.

The “Utilities” tab allows you to use other tools as part of activation.

Other activators

In addition to KMS, there are other utilities on the Internet. For example, Re-Loader Activator, which can activate Office. The program is also easy to use. But the translation into Russian is not very good.

What to do if Windows 10 does not activate?

It happens that the system worked at first, and then for some reason crashed. If you have a licensed copy, contact Microsoft support or read the list of possible errors.

If you installed the activator, then complete the task again. If blocked by an antivirus, add the activator files and service to the exception or simply disable the antivirus during installation.

Windows activation is a procedure to confirm the legality and authenticity of a product. From the point of view of the law and the developer, if your system works, this does not always mean that the product is licensed. KMS, SLIC tables, corporate keys (MSDN and Dream Spark as well) are not always a guarantee of license confirmation. This article will describe basic activation methods if you have the original product key.

First, you need to determine your license type. Windows operating systems are divided into several types of licenses:

Retail, Box (FPP, ESD) version. The version purchased separately from the device (except for the OEM package) previously included a box with a disk, key and documentation, hence the name Box edition. This license applies to 1 device with the ability to transfer to other PCs. Also, some “old” versions of Office distributed in the Box version could be used on several devices at once.
OEM – version, assembly kit, pre-installed version. The most common version for home users. The OEM version of Windows is usually provided with the purchased laptop, all-in-one or system unit; the cost of this license is already included in the price of the device. This license cannot be transferred to other equipment (according to the terms of the agreement) and should only be used on the device that was purchased with it.
Windows 10 Digital License– a license tied to the hash amount of your equipment at the time of updating the activated system from Windows 7.8 or 8.1. After the release of Windows 10 version 1511 (Anniversary Update), the digital license is also linked to your Microsoft account for the convenience of reactivating Windows 10 when changing hardware.
Volume Licensing – corporate version for a large fleet of devices (often used by “pirates”), multiple activation keys, keys for KMS servers.
This article will describe methods for Retail, OEM and digital licenses, since they are the most common option when used at home.

Windows version and license differences

Retail version (FPP - Full Product Package) is a full-fledged product that you can completely control. The kit includes an installation disk, persons. agreement, product key. For some versions of Windows 10, the kit included a USB drive with an image, documentation, and a product key.

The Retail version also includes CCP (Compliance Checking Program) keys and version upgrade keys. They were mainly popular when Windows 8 was released; on the Microsoft website you could buy a CCP activation key for Windows 8 Pro, although Windows 7 was required for the update. At the moment, you can easily activate Windows 8 and 8.1 with this key, however, in case of an error, you will need to contact to the support service.

There is also an ESD version, Electronic Software Delivery is a method of delivering software by email. You need to enter the key that is sent to you by email. Basically, this version is currently sold for Windows 10, Office 2016, Office 365.

OEM is a version that is only available to PC builders and is therefore not usually sold to general users, but they can still be found on sale. The key can be in the form of a sticker on the case of your system unit, laptop or all-in-one. It has also become common to embed activation keys into the motherboard memory, the so-called SLIC tables.

Basically the order is:

Installing Windows (If the system is Windows 10 and has a digital license, activation will take place automatically)
Entering Product Key into the system (if the version does not match, return to step 1)
Activation via the Internet (if there is no Internet or an error appears, go to step 4)
Activating Windows by phone

On the Internet

First of all, you need to make sure that the edition of the installed version and the product key match. Click on the Start button, then right-click Computer and select Properties. Your edition will be written in the Windows edition line. You can also determine your Windows edition by entering the winver command in the search bar or in the Run window (Win+R).

If the key and the system match, then we move on to the next stage.
There is a menu in the system properties window Change product key, or you can open the input window by launching the Run window (press the Win+R key combinations) and entering the slui 3 command. The Product Key entry window will open, where you will need to insert a 25-digit code.

After verification, activation will occur or an error will occur. Depending on the operation of the services, the correctness of the key entry and the installation of the correct version of Windows, the error may vary.

Via command line

The command line and the SLMGR parameter can help you.
Slmgr /dli – the command displays license information, status and the last 5 characters of the activation key.

Slmgr /ipk [Product Key] – using this command, you can enter the Product Key into the system.

Slmgr /ato is a command that performs forced activation.

Slmgr /rearm – Resets activation timers.
Slmgr /rilc – Causes the reinstallation of all licenses stored in the %SystemRoot%\system32\oem and %SystemRoot%\System32\spp\tokens directories.
Slmgr /cpky – deleting a key.

To reset the system license, the commands are executed in the following order: Slmgr /cpky, Slmgr /rilc, Slmgr /rearm.

By phone

Depending on your Internet connection, you may be required to activate by phone (if it is not possible to connect to the server or activation using this key was performed within 60 days on other equipment).
If the code is entered incorrectly or is incorrect, you will be redirected to the support service, where a live person will ask again for the Installation Code and advise on any questions that may arise.
Before calling the activation window, make sure that the key is entered into the system. To do this, you can use the Slmgr /dli command. If the last 5 characters of the key match the activation key, then call the activation window by phone by entering the command slui 4.

We select the country and in the next window the phone number of the activation service will be displayed, as well as the Installation code, just below there will be an enter button Confirmation code.
First of all, call the number provided and enter the Installation Code. If the code is entered correctly, a Confirmation Code will be dictated to you. If, at one of the stages, you make a mistake, you will be redirected to a service specialist, where they will help you.

By phone via command line

If the installation code is not displayed, then the Command Line will help you again

Slmgr /dti – the command will display the installation code.

Slmgr /dlv [Verification Code] – the command will enter a confirmation code and perform activation (you may also need to run the Slmgr /ato command).

Windows activation errors

Error code	Description
0xC004C003, 0xC004C060, 0xC004C4A2, 0xC004C4A2, 0x803FA067L, 0xC004C001, 0xC004C004, 0xC004F004, 0xC004C007, 0xC004F005, 0xC 004C00F, 0xC004C010, 0xC004C00E, 0xC004C4A4, 0xC004C4A5, 0xC004B001, 0xC004F010, 0xC004F050	The product key you entered cannot be used to activate Windows. Check that the key is entered correctly and that it matches the version of Windows 7
0xD0000272, 0xC0000272, 0xc004C012, 0xC004C013, 0xC004C014	The activation server is unavailable, try again later or use a different Internet connection.
0xC004E003	99% that the key is blocked.
0xc004f057	Enter the following commands: Slmgr /cpky Slmgr /rearm Slmgr/rilc
0x80072EE7	There is no Internet, connect another Internet or activate by phone.
0xc004f012	Run in cmd: net stop sppsvc Cd %windir%\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WSLicense Ren tokens.dat tokens.bar Net start sppsvc Cscript.exe %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /rilc Shutdown /r /t 60
0xC0000022 0x80070426	Changing the owner and access rights to a partition to the All group to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA branch Grant full access to c:\windows\system32\spp

Have a great day!

Very often they encounter difficulties when updating, licensing and activating the operating system. Windows 10 was officially released on July 29, 2015 and initially received recognition in the technology world. Since then, Windows has been subject to frequent criticism, and the product's reputation has seriously fluctuated.

A very large number of users are still wondering whether it is worth upgrading, facing difficulties or whether it is better to abandon Windows. In this article, we decided to answer the most common questions related to Windows 10 activation and licensing procedures.

Product Key is the traditional way to update and license Windows. If you purchased a new version of Windows 10 from a retailer, have a volume licensing agreement, or purchased a new Windows 10 device, you will likely be asked to enter a product key during the installation and activation process.

Digital Entitlement is designed for the upgrade process from Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 to Windows 10 without using a new product key.

This new activation method in Windows 10 binds a product key to your hardware. This means that when you upgrade from Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 to Windows 10, you will no longer have to enter your product key every time you install Windows 10.

You can check the current activation status by following the path: “Settings” application -> “Update and Security” -> “Activation”. If you don't know exactly how Windows 10 ended up on your system, Microsoft provides a helpful summary of how the system may have arrived on your device.

Question 1: Can I update the hardware components on my computer?

Whether you can upgrade your hardware depends on your license type. Any user who has updated from Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 will be faced with the fact that the digital binding of Windows 10 is directly related to the system hardware, in particular the motherboard. By the way, there are rumors that Microsoft will try to resell Windows 10 in one of the updates, but in fact, this is not true.

If you try to update your computer components, you will have to reactivate your Windows 10 installation using an automated telephone service. Thus, adding RAM, a new hard drive or SSD drive, and a video card will not cause any problems. If you have not yet upgraded to Windows, and the free upgrade period has not yet expired, you can reinstall the old operating system after changing the computer configuration and update from it. This is not the fastest way, but it is guaranteed to work.

With OEM licenses everything is simple - one-time use, tied to the equipment. Retail licenses allow you to move your installation from one system to another, as long as you keep the installation key in a safe place.

Note: Digital Link does not generally replace product keys, but Windows 10 license keys are a generic type, which means they are not unique to your activation.

Assumption: There are many uncertainties regarding the activation status of Windows 10 on upgraded hardware. It is believed that when upgrading your current operating system to Windows 10, the product key will be marked. Any update after the one-year free update period will be reactivated because it is not a violation of the terms of the license agreement.

Question 2: Can I use a Windows 7/8/8.1 key for a clean installation of Windows 10?

Yes, starting with Windows 10 version 1511 (November update), you can activate Windows 10 using the key for Windows 7, 8 and 8.1. To quote a comment from Microsoft Vice President of Windows Products Gabe Aul:

“If you install this build and it does not automatically activate, you can enter the product key from Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 that was used to activate previous versions of Windows on a specific device. To activate, go to “Settings” -> “Update & Security” -> “Activation” and select the “Change product key” option.

Question 3: Is it even possible to do a clean install?

Of course you can. On Windows 10 before version 1511, you could perform a clean installation of Windows 10 after updating.

During the upgrade process from Windows 7.8, 8.1 to Windows 10, the computer was assigned a unique device identifier associated with the motherboard. After installing Windows 10, you could download a new ISO image and perform a clean install.

You can still complete the full installation this way, and Windows 10 should automatically activate using the unique device ID stored on Microsoft's server. In this case, you can skip the step of entering the product key. Your computer will be assigned a shared product key until the digital link is verified using the Microsoft database.

Starting with version 1511, you can use the Windows 10 Media Creation tool to create installation disks and flash drives, install Windows 10 from scratch, and activate clean installations using a Windows 7,8 and 8.1 key.

Question 4: I will lose my key when updating!

This would be obvious disgusting behavior from Microsoft, but in fact it is not. The language of the licensing system is so confusing that there has been conflicting information from different sources, causing confusion.

Microsoft has updated the EULA to declare changes to the transfer of rights while maintaining the core licensing terms. This means, as noted above, OEM licenses are tightly tied to the specific device they shipped with, and retail copies can be moved from one device to another, provided the old device is uninstalled first.

The license agreement also protects the rights to revert to previous versions of Windows if you don't like Windows 10. However, the changes did not affect everyone, as you might expect.

Question 4a: What type of key will you end up with?

All keys will be translated depending on OS versions. Windows 7,8 and 8.1 retail keys will remain retail keys. OEM keys and corporate licenses will also retain their status.

Question 5: Can I transfer my Windows 10 license to a new computer?

Also, as with older versions of Windows, this option depends on the type of license you want to transfer. You can use the diagnostic tool to determine the license type. Download and run the utility. You will enter the Validation Status, Product Key, and Product ID Type.

If you have a retail license, you can transfer your Windows 10 license to a new computer without difficulty. You cannot transfer your digital connection to a new device.

Question 6: I purchased Windows 10. Do I have digital connectivity?

No, only users upgrading from licensed versions of Windows 7,8 and 8.1 use a digital link to protect the activation of Windows 10. Users who purchased Windows 10 licenses separately must enter only the product number as usual, regardless of the installation method - from a disk or from a flash device -memory.

Question 7: Will my pirated copy become legal?

No. You will be able to update, but you will receive a “black mark”, meaning that the operating system will not be supported. Therefore, you will not be able to receive security patches and future updates.

However, during the early update period immediately after July 29, many users reported that their pirated copies of Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 that were updated through Windows Update and the Get Windows 10 app were able to update with an activation status of “System.” Windows is activated” and received a new product ID.

On the other hand, the isolated positive reviews were complemented by numerous negative reviews from users of non-genuine versions of Windows. They reported “Pay and Activate” requests that were associated with pirated activators used to activate Windows 7, 8 or 8.1. During the update process, the possibility of upgrading to Windows 10 is checked, and users of pirated versions will not be exceptions here.

Question 8: Why is the technical version of Insider Preview not activated?

While many Windows Insider Preview participants were hoping for free activation of their versions, this only partially happened. Many Windows Insider members' computers initially activated Windows 10, but were reverted back to the trial version after updating. Other testers of the program reported that their activations remained untouched.

You can still sign up for the Windows Insider program.

Question 9: Help! Nothing happens!

First, check the current activation status along the path: “Settings” -> “Update and Security” -> “Activation”. Once the system is activated, you can relax and enjoy your new system. Otherwise, there are a large number of reasons and, accordingly, solutions.

If you see the message “Connect to the Internet to activate Windows.” Select the manual activation option and begin the activation process. If this doesn't work, Microsoft recommends calling technical support.

If you are not sure whether you updated from licensed Windows or not, you should wait a while for the first attempt to automatically activate Windows in the background.

Question 10: Help! Nothing happens! I do not want to wait!

If you don't want to wait, you can try two things.

Automated activation by phone: Press the Windows key + R and enter the name of the command SLUI.EXE 4 in the search bar. A dialog box with a list of countries will open. Select your country from the drop-down menu and the utility will display your toll-free phone number and installation code.

At this point, pay attention to the phone number and installation code. The automated system will request an installation code, and then provide a confirmation code that you will need to enter yourself.

Forced activation: Open a command prompt with administrator rights. To do this, press the Windows key + R and enter CMD. Alternatively, you can right-click on the Start menu icon and select “Command Prompt (Admin).”

After opening use the command vbs –rearm to try activation again. You will need to restart your computer to complete the process. After reboot, enter your product key.

If this doesn't work, launch a command prompt with administrator rights and type slmgr.vbs /ato. This command forces a Windows 10 license check.

Finally, if you are unable to enter your product key using the above commands, try slmgr.vbs /ipk XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX, replacing the X characters with your product key.

This method can be used to bypass common errors with codes 0XC004E003, 0x8007000D, 0x8007232b or 0x8007007B. The next section covers other error codes.

This section lists the most common error codes encountered during the activation process. Many of them can be resolved using the solutions suggested above.

Error 0xC004C003: Product key is locked

You may encounter this error when performing a clean install of Windows 10 without first upgrading to Windows 10. This error was common immediately after the release of Windows 10, but was partially fixed in Windows 10 version 1511, which allows activation of Windows 10 using a Windows 7 key , 8 or 8.1.

This error code also appeared when Windows update servers were busy at the time of access to them. In this case, you can wait a short period of time or go to “Settings” -> “Update and Security” -> “Activation” and select the activation option.

If you still encounter errors when performing the update, you should go back to your previous installation of Windows and make sure that version is activated.

Error 0xC004F034: The license could not be obtained or is invalid. Error 0xC004F050: The product key entered is invalid. Error 0xC004E016: Error installing product key.

These errors usually occur when you enter an invalid product key or a product key from a different version of Windows.

However, the problem was partially resolved with the release of Windows 10 version 1511.

Error 0xC004C4AE: The scan service has detected broken Windows binaries. Error 0xC004E003: The Software Licensing Service reported that an error occurred while validating the license

This error may appear if you installed third-party software on the system. This is usually due to the addition of an unsupported language, but can also be caused by falsified authentication in previous versions of Windows.

You can revert to the previous version and ensure that the license is genuine. If this is the case, you can restore your computer to its pre-installation state and complete activation.

If these steps do not help, you are probably using an invalid version of Windows.

Error 0xC004FC03: There was a problem with the network when activating this copy of Windows

This is a network connection error. If you upgraded from a previous version of Windows, you may still not be connected to the Internet. Check the installation of network card and adapter drivers, try to connect to the Internet and complete activation.

Likewise, firewall settings may interfere with the activation process. Check your settings, but if the problem persists, call Microsoft technical support.

Error 0xC004C812: The activation server has determined that the activation count has been exceeded for the specified product key

If you used a product key to activate another installation of Windows 10 or are an OEM license holder, you may encounter this error. There are two options for further action: check if the product key is valid and roll back to the previous version and confirm activation, or contact the customer support center and check the status of the product key.

There is a possibility that the previous Windows license was invalid. In this case, you will need to purchase a new product key. If you bought a cheap product key, you may have been sold a volume license key that has been retroactively locked.

Error 0xC004C001: The activation server has determined that the specified product key is incorrect

You may encounter this error if the volume license has been activated on more devices than the terms of the license agreement. The error may be due to reasons specific to different users.

If you use corporate keys for an organization at your work, contact your system administrator or IT department and explain what exactly happened. They should point you in the right direction.

If you are an individual who purchased a volume license, please contact the seller for an exchange or return of the license.

There is a good chance that someone else has encountered identical problems. A search query with an error code usually helps to find a solution to the problem on the appropriate sites

Microsoft has changed the way it distributes licenses and the activation process, but these changes shouldn't worry you too much. Constantly discussing new methods will get you nowhere. Microsoft, meanwhile, makes profits without open conflict with the public and without damaging the generally positive reputation of Windows.

Microsoft is not very forthcoming about detailed information about the activation service, which is not surprising. Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 were hacked months after release, Windows 10 may be no exception. Microsoft is well aware that any information can become a weapon for cybercriminals.

The main difficulties in activating Windows 10 are associated with a free upgrade from an existing version. It is important to remember that the update process includes a unique device identification process to ensure that the device information is recorded in the appropriate Microsoft activation database and the license is certified for reuse.

Since the release of version 1511, activation has become a little easier, and we hope that we have answered your questions!

Have you encountered problems activating Windows? What was the problem? How did you solve it? Share in the comments.

Hello friends, I want to devote today’s article to how to activate Windows 10. Not only will I describe in this article all the known legal and effective activation methods, but I will also write about illegal ones, which a very large number of users are now using. This is true, because no one wants to pay about 8 thousand rubles for one copy of Windows 10 Pro.

In this material I will discuss ways to activate Windows by phone, using a key, and also without a key. Let's learn about programs that can activate the system, as well as other software, in a couple of clicks. Let's try to understand why Windows won't activate and much more. If the article is very long, I will divide it into two parts.

Activating Windows using a key

The easiest way to activate Windows 10 is to enter your product key. In the boxed version, this key is painted on the box itself. On most laptops it is glued to the back of the laptop. The next point is that the key is usually tied to the hardware, so it is unlikely to work on other devices, but in laptops it is embedded in the BIOS. This means that you do not need to enter the key, you just need to install the system of the desired edition and it will activate itself.

If you have a Windows 10 key, you can enter it as follows:

Open the window with system parameters by pressing the Win+I keys. Next, go to the “Update and Security” section. Go to the “Activation” subsection and find the parameter on the right "Change product key".

In the same window, you can find out the edition of your system, for example, Windows 10 Home, and whether the system is activated or not.

Additional information about update 1607

Since about 2016, users who upgraded to Windows 7 and 8 from Windows 7 and 8 have the key linked not only to the hardware, but also to their Microsoft account.

Many already know that this resolves problematic situations with activation when replacing components and other nuances.

Windows 10 Digital License

There is a so-called digital license that does not require entering a product key. When connected to the Internet, the system is activated automatically. This feature is available only to users who have upgraded from a licensed version or are members of the Windows Insider program. Once this is done, the user will no longer use the key, because it is already tied to the hardware, this is called a digital license.

In the Update and Security window, you can see how Windows was activated.

Many websites and forums write that you should not enter a key during digital activation. This means that the activation may fail, and the key you enter may not work. Although this does not always happen.

I also suggest that you read the article from Microsoft, which describes activation solutions.

Activating Windows 10 by phone

If you cannot activate via the Internet, or some activation methods do not work, you can use the following method.

Press the Win+R keys until the Run window appears.
Enter the command slui 4.
A country selection window should appear.
The number you should call will be displayed, there will be instructions for activation, just in case you can write everything down.
When you receive the code, enter it in the required field and activate it.

By the way, some editions do not allow you to activate Windows by phone. In this case, a corresponding message will appear.

How to activate Windows 10 after changing hardware

This question is very important. If you are linked to a Microsoft account, then there will be no problems. That's all the pies. Before changing the configuration, bind the key to your account to avoid problems.

Where to get a license key to activate Windows 10

The legal way is to buy a key. There are several ways to purchase it:

Purchase through the Windows PRO version store.
Purchasing the boxed version.
Purchasing a laptop or computer on which the key is already linked to the equipment. (The most expensive way).

From the store you can easily upgrade to the Pro edition, but if you have any version other than “For one language”. I have already encountered this myself and cannot update the top ten due to the OEM cost.

Ten can also be bought on the official Microsoft website, although it costs 8,699 rubles there, so few people will want to spend that much money, given the availability of cheaper methods, and also free methods.

Buying a Windows 10 Product Key on eBay

I recently discovered an interesting way to activate the system. You need to install the required version of the system, buy a key for about 200-300 rubles, enter and activate the system. Some say it's illegal, but others use this option and don't complain. I myself don’t know how to feel about this, but I’ll tell you about the method.

Register on eBay and enter “Windows 10 Pro” in the search bar. We are presented with a large selection of goods, the prices of which vary greatly. But you need to buy from the seller with the highest rating and many positive reviews.

You buy the key in a way convenient for you and wait for it to arrive in the mail. Once received, enter it and enjoy your licensed copy.

How to activate Windows 10 without a key

Now let's start looking at options where we don't need a product key. Here we become a pirate, something we shouldn’t become, but you can’t change people.

Activating Windows 10 using KMS

The most popular method of activating Windows is using a special KMS activator. You can download it and activate pure Windows, or download some assembly where the activator will already be built in and will do everything itself.

The question of activating Windows has been worrying the minds of an entire generation for decades. Since the first year of the existence of the first commercial version of Windows, the resourceful minds of young programmers have come up with ways to circumvent the mandatory purchase of a license. And many did it well. But it was a long time ago. But what about the activation of the new Windows 10? Let's get a look.

An attraction of unprecedented generosity

The incredible happened. Microsoft began distributing the “top ten” in ISO images. Probably, the company's marketers realized that it would be better this way. There is no point in releasing the OS on disks. Pirates expropriate everything anyway. Now the question of how to activate Windows 10 requires some clarification. The fact is that now it is enough to pay online for using the OS and you will already have an official licensed version of the system. Well, what's not to love?

This attraction of unprecedented generosity can only be explained by the fact that the company decided to rip off more money from users using a subscription policy. If earlier, having paid for a product once, you could use it until the end of time, but now this will not work. You will have to regularly renew your subscription, paying the same amount each time. Not a bad strategy.

Yes, the system is distributed free of charge. But using it is by no means free. The company switched to a subscription principle. This means that the user pays with a one-time payment only for a year of using the OS. Do you want more? Please pay more. Needless to say, this policy irritates many PC owners. It is not surprising that many of them began to ask themselves the question: “what will happen if you do not activate Windows 10?” Let's get a look.

If not activated

Let’s say right away that there is nothing wrong with an unactivated “top ten”. Gone are the days when Windows frightened users with a black desktop and constant reminders that they needed to activate the system. Now everything is orderly and civilized. A watermark hangs quietly in the lower right corner of the screen, notifying you that the system is not activated. That's all. And nothing more. It's even kind of scary. And if that's all, then why should I pay and activate Windows 10 64 bit installed on my PC? I'm fine as is.

Why did Microsoft decide not to seriously limit the performance of an unlicensed system? Nobody knows this. Perhaps the company will soon realize its mistake and will do everything to prevent PC owners from using an unregistered version of the OS. So for now we need to exploit this remarkable omission of the company.

Limitations of the non-activated version

So, what happens if you don’t activate Windows 10? It's OK. The functionality of the system will remain virtually unchanged. The only thing that will not be available is system personalization. That is, it will not be possible to change the desktop wallpaper, theme color, icons, etc. Is this critical? Hardly.

In all other respects, we have a fully functional system. Even the Power Shell terminal works. What else does? If there is no difference, then why pay a tidy sum for unknown reasons? Many have come to the same conclusion and actively use the system without activation. Now you don’t even have to use all sorts of pirate tricks to activate. Yes, Microsoft did their best.

If without activation there is no way

A lot has already been written about how to activate. We will try to outline here the official and semi-official methods.

So, method one. If you are the happy owner of a licensed seventh or eighth version, then it is much easier for you. Just enter the old version into the top ten, and you will become the owner of a licensed version of the system.

The second way is simply to buy a new license. But it is not suitable for everyone. It's very expensive. It’s much easier for our person to type “windows 10 rus activated” into the search engine and download the desired object from a torrent. It's much more convenient this way. But assemblies from torrents do not always behave adequately. Therefore, you need to be careful here.

Using activators

The use of all kinds of OS activators is highly not recommended. First of all, it's illegal. Secondly, together with these activators you can pick up a very unpleasant virus. Then you won’t have to think about what will happen if you don’t activate Windows 10. You’ll simply have to “demolish” the system, clean your computer of viruses and install a fresh OS.

At the moment, the most popular and secure activator is KMS. Although antivirus programs define it as potentially dangerous software, it does not cause any harm to the system. In addition, it can activate not only Windows, but also Microsoft Office. Nowadays, KMS is the most adequate activator for the OS and more.

Conclusion

Let's summarize. Now we know what will happen if we don’t activate Windows 10. Nothing bad will happen. The functionality of the system will not be affected in any way. But the watermark in the corner of the screen and the inability to change the wallpaper are not so critical. So there is no need to rush out and buy a license. It is quite possible to work on a computer with a non-activated system. And it is not at all necessary to personalize the OS.