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Windows 10 activation works. Activation after reinstallation

The Windows 10 distribution system keeps up with the times. Now there is no need to buy a disc in a store or order it online. Absolutely every user can download Windows 10 to their computer directly from the official Microsoft website. But this version will become full-fledged only when it is activated.

Reasons to activate Windows

The non-activated version of Windows is essentially a trial product. You can use it for a long time until you decide to purchase a license key. In this case, of course, some features in the non-activated version will be blocked or limited:

All Windows 10 personalization options will be disabled. This means you won't be able to set wallpapers on your operating system, choose colors, and so on. Only the default theme will be available; you will not be able to create your own. Considering how flexible the personalization settings are in this system, this is a serious limitation;
Theme selection will not be available in non-activated Windows 10
A watermark will appear on the desktop informing you that activation is required. This sign will be on top of all running programs or games. It is distracting and simply looks ugly, which, of course, is important for users;
Windows activation reminder will interfere with your work
lack of official support from Microsoft: after purchasing a license you become a client of the company. This means that it is obliged to provide you with technical assistance for official forums and fully support your product. This also includes regular system updates, which only the activated version of Windows 10 receives.
Only activated versions of Windows 10 receive full support companies

It turns out that working on activated operating system not only more pleasant and convenient, but also more reliable. After all, many updates primarily concern the security and protection of your computer.

Activating Windows in various ways

Regardless of which version of Windows you are using (Home, Pro, Enterprise or others), you can activate it different ways, even having the key to a different version. Among the activation methods there are both legal - with the purchase of a key - and illegal methods. Whether to use illegal activation methods or not - this choice always remains on the user’s conscience.

Activating Windows 10 via the command line

Very in a simple way activation is activation through command line. This requires literally a couple of commands, but first you need to open it:

This will open the command prompt. Follow these steps:

If activation is successful, you will receive a notification about this. After this, you can close the command line.

Entering the activation key in the system parameters

Another activation method is activation through system parameters. Do the following:

You can also activate it in the computer update menu:

Regardless of the chosen method, the result will be the same: your system will be activated if the key is entered correctly.

Activating Windows 10 without the Internet

The official activation process itself involves contacting Microsoft servers to confirm the key. Therefore, activation without the Internet can be understood as:

delayed activation during Windows installation, which will be carried out as soon as the computer connects to the network. So, for example, you may have a digital license (for example, when upgrading from a licensed version of Windows 8.1), in this case you will not be asked for a key, and activation will take place automatically when you go online;
activation by phone - it is possible to activate Windows 10 by phone using Microsoft's automatic assistant;
activation through an activator program - there are illegal activators that can work without the Internet. They do not directly activate the system, but force the computer to consider it as such, removing all imposed restrictions.

Activation of OEM version of Windows 10

The OEM in the version name refers to the distribution type of the operating system. This means that the system was pre-installed on the computer to be sold with it. So, when you buy a modern laptop, you will receive a device with an OEM version of Windows 10. However, you will not be given a key to the operating system directly; it will be tied to the laptop’s motherboard.

If such a laptop lost activation when reinstalling Windows, it would be good to know your license key. This can be done using the ProdeKey program, which will identify the key associated with your equipment. This program serves the sole purpose of telling you your operating system key.

This program will allow you to find out the key associated with your equipment

After you find out the key, all you have to do is activate the system using one of the methods described above. Activation will be completely legal, because you purchased this version of Windows along with the equipment.

Sometimes you can find a license key directly on the case of your laptop or computer in the form of a special sticker.

Stickers with activation codes may look different

Activating Windows 10 by phone

The method of activating Windows 10 by phone is convenient when there is no way to go online. For this type of Windows activation, the following steps will be required:

Option to delay activation

All the legal methods described above will activate your system forever. As long as you don't reinstall it or replace key pieces of hardware, you won't need to reactivate it. In the case of illegal methods, no one knows when the activation of your Windows will be reset.

But there is another officially approved method that activates Windows temporarily. This is done like this:

In this way, you will postpone the need for activation for a month and can continue to use your operating system to its fullest potential. You can do this only three times, then this option will not be available.

Activating Windows via KMS activator

Mentioning activation methods, we cannot help but talk about the most popular unofficial program for activating Windows. Its features are:

supports all modern operating systems, any versions;
completely free;
carries out high-quality activation with the function of maintaining it in the future if desired;
has many settings for experienced users and the ability to activate with one button for beginners.

Using this program is really very simple:

Video: an easy way to activate Windows 10

Getting the Education Edition of Windows

There are several editions of Windows specifically for educational institutions. They differ from the usual ones in more advanced functionality, programs for conducting tests, and changed default settings. And, of course, there is a separate version of Windows 10 Enterprise created specifically for educational institutions.

Such products are subject to a special licensing system, as well as separate prices. However, you will have to officially confirm that you are an educational institution to receive these benefits. The purchase procedure itself must take place through official Microsoft intermediaries.

There is a convenient system for selecting a supplier for your educational institution

Otherwise, the process of activating such operating systems does not differ from activating other versions. You can also activate Windows yourself through system settings or use third party programs to activate.

Activating Windows after replacing the motherboard

Like the previous operating system, Windows 10 “remembers” your computer’s hardware when activated. If it changes seriously, for example, when replacing motherboard, activation may fail. If you have a license key or you updated unofficially, your actions are clear. You just need to re-enter the key or re-activate. But what if you received a licensed version of Windows 10 due to a free update? In this case, you do not have the key and will have to act differently.

Before the anniversary release Windows updates 10 The only solution was to contact technical support. There they had to describe the situation and, after a private review, Microsoft technical support staff made a decision and returned the activation manually. Now this process can be performed automatically. Do the following:

After this, the activation will return to its place and you can continue working. In case of any controversial situations or if this method does not help, you will still have to contact technical support.

Preserving Windows activation when reinstalling the system

Many digitally activated users (that is, those who upgraded for free when they left new system) are afraid to reinstall Windows. “After all, with a clean reinstallation, all files from the computer will be deleted, which means activation will also fail,” users reason. In fact, this statement is not true. Activation will take place automatically if:

When you reinstalled Windows 10, you did not replace the motherboard or other hardware;
you are installing the same version of Windows that you already had installed.

That is, the main thing is not to try to install a different version using your license key. It must completely match the one that has already been activated.

If you have any problems with reactivation, Microsoft suggests contacting technical support or using the Activation Troubleshooter.

Reappearance of the Windows activation message

If the message about the need to activate Windows 10 returns to your desktop, this may be due to one of two reasons:

or Windows activation was not performed reliably, and the this moment your operating system has returned to its inactive state;
or the error is solely in the return of the inscription, despite the fact that the system itself remains activated.

In the first case, you need to reactivate the system using one method or another. In the second, you can cope with the simple Universal Watermark Disabler program. Take the following steps to get rid of the activation requirement notification:

Video: Removing a watermark using Universal Watermark Disabler

Windows activation problems and errors

Let's look at the most common problems associated with Windows activation.

Windows 10 won't activate after installation

If you are unable to activate Windows after reinstalling the operating system, there may be several reasons:

during recovery, update or Windows installations 10, the version of the operating system for which you have the key was not used;
The copy of Windows you purchased was installed on several different computers. The license agreement allows activation on multiple devices, but activation may fail if used simultaneously;
using an unofficial Windows image;
significant changes in the hardware used on your computer.

We have already described above how to act in the face of some of these factors. In any case, if you have problems with official Windows activation, you can always contact Microsoft technical support for help.

The system asks for activation, but is activated

This failure may occur in the following cases:

if your Windows 10 has not been updated for a long time. In this case, simply update it to the latest version;
if your computer does not have an Internet connection. The system cannot verify the authenticity of your key;
Microsoft servers are overloaded. Because of this, some of the data may be issued in an incorrect way, leading to certain failures.

Other Windows 10 activation errors

There are other Windows activation errors. Usually they are indicated by one or another code: 0xC004F210, 0xC004F034, 0x8007267C. The solutions to these errors differ from each other, and the reasons for their occurrence can be divided into three simple categories:

Key entry error on your part. You just need to enter the key more carefully or verify its authenticity;
The user has problems with the Internet. Establish a reliable connection before attempting to activate the key;
Microsoft has network problems. Due to maintenance work or heavy load, this may also make it impossible to activate the system. In this case, all that remains is to wait.

A universal solution to any problems that cause errors is the ability to contact technical support or run the activation troubleshooter.

During installation of the Windows 10 distribution, the software product is activated, which allows the user to fully use all the capabilities of the operating system. Activated version Windows 10 makes it possible to avoid such unpleasant problems as periodic sudden reboots, the inability to configure your profile, and a constantly pop-up watermark reminding you of the need for activation. The activated product enjoys official support from the developer. But sometimes an event occurs such as the termination of the activation. This can happen for various reasons, depending and not depending on the user's actions. Then the question immediately arises of how to restore the failed activation. Until activation is restored, working with the deactivated version of the system will not be entirely comfortable or correct. It is for these cases that the developer provides a number of specific actions, by performing which you can restore activation.

Why does Windows 10 activation stop working?

Unlike previous editions, Windows 10 uses a completely new algorithm for activating the distribution installed on the computer.

When purchasing a licensed distribution kit in a store and installing it on a computer, the user enters the license key only once. After the first activation, information about the system and its components is stored on the activation servers of Microsoft Corporation and subsequently the activation process on this computer during any reinstallations will take place in automatic mode.

If the installation of Windows 10 took place during an update from older operating systems Windows systems 7 or 8.1, the Windows 10 installation program verified the current activation status and generated a digital license on the activation server.

At the same time, a unique computer identifier was created and information about the electronic components of the device was saved. When you reinstall the system, a digital license will allow you to automatically activate the distribution. This activation mechanism makes it possible not only to reinstall Windows 10, but also to perform any operations with the hard drive, including formatting. In any case, the system will be automatically activated upon first startup by contacting the activation server.

Despite such a well-thought-out activation algorithm, sometimes it fails. In this case, the activation simply ceases to operate and the system begins to be considered deactivated, with all the ensuing consequences.

When activation expires, the message “Evaluation copy. Expires...", which means. that the version is a trial version and expires at the specified time

Unfortunately, the developers of the tenth edition of Windows were unable to foresee all situations that would affect the activation process and its possible failures. Activation may no longer be valid after Windows reinstallation 10, updating any program components or replacing the computer motherboard. These are the most common cases of termination of the system activation status.

To return the activation status, the developer has established certain rules for users. In addition, there are additional ways activate the system.

Termination of activation after reinstalling Windows 10

Termination of Windows 10 activation after reinstalling the system occurs on computers that do not have access to the Internet, as well as in cases where, when the computer accesses the activation servers, a connection is lost or access to the server fails. In this case, it becomes necessary to go through the activation process again. There are two ways to do this.

The first is using a 25-digit license key received when purchasing a Windows 10 distribution in a store.

The second way to go through the activation process again is by using a utility designed for digitally licensed versions.

Video: restoring Windows 10 activation by phone

Please note that only those users who have already activated Windows 10 using a key or received a digital license when upgrading from older editions of Windows can activate by phone.

Termination of activation after updating Windows 10

If after installing Windows 10 the option was not disabled automatic update system, then all updates that periodically come to the computer from the developer will be installed automatically. When updating very important point is a reliable connection to the Internet. If, when updating system files If you were unable to connect to the Internet, the connection was unreliable or intermittently lost, or the Microsoft activation servers were at some point overloaded, a failure could occur, leading to the termination of the activation status, after which the system begins to be considered deactivated.

Restoring the activation status can be done in two ways - using a utility for working with a digital license or using a license key received upon purchase. In addition, it is possible to install the new release of Windows 10 from the Microsoft website.

On the official Microsoft website, go to the “Products” tab

In “Products” go to the Windows tab, in the drop-down menu select Windows 10 and then “Move to Windows 10”.

Select the “Move to Windows 10” tab

Activation servers store data about the identification status of your computer after the last installation of the system. That's why clean install will not require you to enter a license identification key. After installation, it is recommended to create installation media on a DVD or USB drive in order to be able to perform a system recovery.

Termination of activation after replacing the motherboard

When Windows 10 is activated for the first time on the Microsoft activation server, it is linked to a computer and a unique identifier is created, which allows you to use only a digital license in the future and makes it possible to do without a 25-digit license key. Microsoft does not publish the algorithm for generating this identifier anywhere, but it is known that it is tied to the system motherboard. Thus, you can safely replace components such as a video card, hard drive or RAM, if they are installed in the corresponding connectors of the motherboard. If the motherboard is integrated or activation was carried out with an additional network card, then problems may arise when replacing them. When replacing the motherboard, it will definitely be considered the Microsoft activation server as new computer, not tied to the installed Windows 10. In this case, you must contact the hotline or Microsoft support. If you have a licensed copy of Windows 10 installed, then the issue will be resolved in your favor.

If activation will interfere antivirus program, then you can disable it for a while or add activation files to the antivirus exceptions.

Video: Restoring activation by calling Microsoft Support Center

What to do if Windows 10 activation is lost

In the event that the user is unable to restore the missing activation of Windows 10 or he did not switch from old edition, and now you’ve finally decided and don’t have a digital license, then there are two ways to activate your operating system. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Connecting to the insider program

The insider program makes it possible to legally obtain a new edition of Windows 10 without having a digital license obtained when upgrading from an old edition of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, or entering a 25-digit license key. The program is designed for preliminary evaluation and testing of a new software release. Participants have the opportunity to work with a licensed edition of the program, but they must keep in mind that the assembly with which the user will work has not been completed and has certain inconveniences in use. The digital license of the test edition will not allow activation of the system in the same way as real holders of a license key or digital license. A watermark will often appear at the bottom of the desktop reminding you to activate, and new releases will often arrive, which will take time to update the system. To plug test program possible with “pirate” or unlicensed version Windows 10, when it already starts asking for activation.

To enroll in the Insider Preview program and become a legal Windows 10 user, you must do the following:

You can also connect to the insider program through the official Microsoft website.

The official website of Microsoft Corporation is not entirely convenient to use, especially when searching for a product. First you need to understand its structure in order to understand where and what to look for.

Video: how to connect to the Windows 10 Insider program

Software activation of Windows 10 edition

There is another way to activate Windows 10 using a third-party activator. Whether to use it or not, everyone decides at their own peril and risk.

The most reliable and widely known KMSAuto Net activator for Windows 10 actually works. Its use is the best solution activation problems. A legal activator, contrary to popular belief, was created for the corporate segment and is used to activate software products Microsoft Corporation.

The main advantages of the utility.

After a short wait, the transition to Windows 10 took place, but after the update the activation failed, or Windows 10 asks for activation after the update, but there was no sign of the key.

In this article we will try to explain in as much detail as possible how activation occurs after the update. different ways.

How to activate Windows 10 if there is no activation key

Activating the system is quite simple if you follow the instructions. The operating system will ask you to enter a key, which consists of 25 characters. But, there are other tricks.

For example, if the seventh or eighth version was installed on the computer, then activation will not be required at all when updating.

If software is installed on a new basis, you will have to purchase a license. But, if you don’t have the funds for a license or you just don’t want to pay for it, then you can use special programs, which allow us to solve this problem.

There are a large number of activators for pro And home versions. After this procedure, “Personalization” is unlocked, as well as a number of other functions. Let's look at the principle of using some of them in more detail.

Purchasing a license key

Purchasing a license eliminates possible problems in future. All subsequent updates will be free, and if incomprehensible situations arise, technical support will resolve all issues in a short period of time.

After purchasing a license key you will receive full functionality. You can obtain the key both on the company’s official website and on authorized resources that have the rights to distribute the license. In addition to purchasing a digital license, it can be purchased at almost any digital store.

Solving a problem over the phone

You can legalize your work over the phone. The principle is as follows:

You must press the key combination Win+R;
In the window that appears, enter “slui 4” without parentheses;
Press “Enter”;
In the menu you must select the country in which activation takes place;
Call the number that appears in the pop-up window;
Write down the code and enter it into the activation line;

This method is relevant when Microsoft servers are overloaded and activation via the Internet is not possible.

KMS activator

KMS activator is an excellent solution to the problem with the key for Windows 10. Its advantage is that it is constantly updated and supported by developers, and is also available online open access. Benefits of the program:

It does everything independently, just press a button.
There are advanced settings for advanced users.
The program is open access and completely free.
You can activate any version, starting from Vista.
Activates Microsoft Office latest versions.

The program has detailed instructions. It describes all the functionality, as well as the extended operating mode.

Instructions for activation using KMS activator

The system will display a message indicating successful installation. The activator comes to windows versions 10 64 pro, 32 bit pro version and any home version.

This method will allow the operating system to work smoothly for 180 days. After half a year, the procedure must be repeated.

Activating the system via the command line

To obtain the activator via the command line:

Use the Win+R key combination to open “Run”;
Then in this window you should write “cmd” without parentheses and click on “OK”;

If everything is done correctly, a corresponding notification will appear in the terminal window. After this procedure, you can close the console and reboot the system.

To personalize your computer, you need to activate Windows 10. What happens if you don’t activate Windows?

You can use Windows 10 without a key, but a number of difficulties arise that prevent full use.

In the lower right corner after each system startup, a watermark “Windows Activation” will appear. Apart from this, there are no significant irritants. But it will be impossible to change the desktop screensaver and everything related to personalization.

But craftsmen have come up with a way to unlock personalization without various activators. It should be noted that this method doesn't work for everyone.

Unlock Personalization

The essence of the solution to the problem is extremely simple. You need to turn off the Internet and restart the system. These are all the steps required to unlock personalization.

Why does this method work? The whole point comes down to the computer's access to Microsoft servers. Without access to the Internet, it is impossible to determine the legality of Windows. Accordingly, if there is no way to verify authenticity, then it is wrong to block functions.

To turn off the Internet, use these instructions:

You need to find the triangle in the lower right part;
Right-click on it and select “Network and Sharing Center” shared access»;
Click on “Change adapter settings”;
Disable all connections by highlighting each icon and clicking on the “Disconnect” item.

After the operation is completed, all features are unlocked and you can freely use all functions. You can change the wallpaper and lock screen screensaver. After replacing everything you need, you can turn on the Internet again. The next time you access Microsoft servers, it will be clear that there is no license, which means the warning will appear again. Only all changes are saved. This method is for those who do not have time to fully activate Windows.

Conclusion

There are a lot of options for activating Window 10, and it’s up to you to decide which one to choose. Activators allow you to solve the problem once and for all, and absolutely free. But they also have problems. For example, the next update may require reactivation.

By purchasing a license, you no longer have to worry about this problem. Even if an incomprehensible situation arises, calling Microsoft technical support will solve the problem in a few minutes. Therefore, if Windows 10 requires an activation code, do not despair.

Video on the topic

Why the best? This method has three very important advantages, and one of them cannot be replaced by any other options:

1. Firstly, Windiws 10 will be downloaded directly from the Microsoft website, that is, the system will be licensed. And this means that you will receive maximum performance and safety. You yourself understand that any pirated copy of the OS will be changed in taste and color by the author of the assembly, and it is likely that the stability of such a copy will be several times lower than that of the original. And you will be very lucky if such a converted Windows does not have spy utilities installed by the same author of the assembly. I'll tell you from personal experience, using a pirated system, I have always encountered problems: either the Internet does not work, or it gives an error when updating drivers and installing programs; in general, it is impossible to list all the examples. In general, if you want stable and most importantly secure system Windiws 10, then install only the original. This is the irreplaceable advantage of this method.

2. The second advantage is free activation, which will be carried out using a proven and safe activator KMSAuto Net. This activation method guarantees stable operation of Windows 10, as if you were doing it official, paid method. And it will give your system a lifetime activation key, with verification of authenticity and installation of all updates.

3. No disks are required, this is already outdated. We will install Windows 10 from a flash drive, this is as fast and convenient as possible.

Detailed video review:

The installation process will take place in three stages:

1. The first thing you need to do is log in boot menu (Boot Menu). Depending on the motherboard, the call keys will be different. To select a key, see the table:

After you have decided on the call button, restart the PC and continuously press the desired key.

2. In the Boot Menu, select the desired flash drive and click "Enter".

3. During the installation process you will need to enter a key. Let's enter this one: "NW6C2-QMPVW-D7KKK-3GKT6-VCFB2", if it doesn’t work, download the full one archive with keys.

5. Accept the license terms.

6. Select the top installation type.

7. Select the disk on which you will install the system, format it if necessary. Click "Further".

8. The installation process will begin and will take approximately 30 minutes.

All that remains is to activate Windows 10. To do this, just download and run the activator KMSAuto Net. If you don’t know how to use it, watch the detailed video instructions on the activator page.

Also add the site to your browser bookmarks Ctrl+D and fresh keys with activators will always be at your fingertips.

Hello friends, today’s article I want to focus on how to activate Windows 10. Not only will I describe in this article all known legal and effective ways activation, but I will also write about illegal ones, which a very large number of users now use. 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 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 account Microsoft.

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 function available only to those users who updated from the licensed version or are members Windows programs Insider. 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 store Windows PRO versions.
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 auction and enter “Windows 10 Pro” into 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.