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Questions tagged [windows-activation]

Windows cases. For activating other software products, use [software-activation].

416 questions
127
votes
1 answer

Windows Activation FAQ: How do language, version, 64-bit or 32-bit, and source affect ability to install and transfer Windows licenses?

We get a lot of questions on Super User about Windows activation and licensing. This question is an attempt to answer the most common questions in one place with a canonical answer. When reinstalling Windows, the following questions often come…
nhinkle
  • 37,661
110
votes
6 answers

How do I activate WindowsXP now that support has ended?

What Options are there to activate Windows XP nowadays? The "regular" methods provided with XP (phone and online) don't work anymore. The phone number is not valid for activation anymore (I tried the German one) and the online activation does not…
Albin
  • 11,950
51
votes
2 answers

How long can I use Windows 10 without activation?

It would seem that there should be web resources to quickly find an answer to this question but I couldn't find any, so I'm trying my luck here. I used the Win10 Media Creation Tool to download Win10 Pro ISO's and set up VM's I use for testing…
vic
  • 1,280
21
votes
1 answer

Resolving "DNS name does not exist" activating Windows 8?

I am trying to activate a new copy of Windows 8 Pro. When clicking on the Activate button in the Windows Activation screen comes back with: DNS name does not exist How can I go ahead an activate Windows 8?
BinaryMisfit
  • 20,879
20
votes
4 answers

Making a cracked or activated windows uncracked

I have a PC which has windows 7 license but I installed windows from an image I downloaded and it is already activated. For validating genuine Microsoft, I need to enter my own product key but the necessary activation tools do not exist in my…
Uğur Gümüşhan
  • 1,444
18
votes
6 answers

Make a clone of VirtualBox Machine that doesn't cause Windows Re-Activation after installing Windows

Most guides for installing Windows on VirtualBox to act as a template for quick Windows jobs tell you to take a few steps to prepare the Virtual Machine before installing Windows (the best guide I found: grahamrhay.wordpress.com; another fairly good…
palswim
  • 3,601
16
votes
4 answers

How can I check if Windows is activated from the command prompt or powershell?

If I want to check whether Windows is activated, but I can't be bothered to dive into the menu system or am on a version of Windows without Desktop Experience (such as Server Core), how can I check the activation status using only the command line?
Earl Sven
  • 513
16
votes
2 answers

How do I manage the link between a Windows 10 license and a Microsoft account?

In at least two help pages, Microsoft explains that a Windows 10 license can be linked to a Microsoft account, allowing it to be easily moved between computers: Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change Using the Activation…
Etienne Dechamps
  • 2,045
15
votes
5 answers

Is Windows 8 Pro usable without activation?

There seems to be little information about the way the activation system works in Windows 8, especially for consumer versions of Windows (Core/Pro, not Enterprise). I already know that Microsoft now requires you to enter a key before even starting…
Dzinx
  • 4,230
14
votes
3 answers

Change the Windows 8 product key after installation?

I just completed a fresh install of Windows 8 Pro as it was released to MSDN. Installation went without a hitch however I can't find out where to enter the correct product key for the copy I have. Clicking on the Activate this Computer in Activity…
BinaryMisfit
  • 20,879
14
votes
1 answer

OEM license activation for Windows 10 Home VirtualBox guest, on Ubuntu host

Context Three years ago my company got me a Lenovo T550 with Windows 10 Home installed on it (my understanding is that this is called "OEM"). I immediately erased everything to install Ubuntu on it. Unfortunately from now on I will need to use…
Nicolas Raoul
  • 11,561
14
votes
2 answers

Windows 7 activation period

I have had Windows 7 Ultimate installed for about two weeks, with a couple more weeks left to activate. If you ignore the warnings, eventually you get a watermark on your desktop: Then, after another few days, the desktop background will turn solid…
SoftwareGeek
  • 1,051
10
votes
4 answers

Windows (ALL) OEM activation

Looking for solid confirmation on how Windows(XP,Vista,7,8) OEM can be reinstalled/activated Windows XP (Home/Professional) OEM(SLP) (Dell, HP etc.) Using GRTMHOEM_EN.iso (Generic Home…
Riguez
  • 3,764
10
votes
3 answers

Recover Windows 7 license key from formatted drive

I recently performed a fresh install of Windows 7 on my computer, but only as I deleted the old partition (that contained my old Windows 7 install) did I remember I hadn't extracted my Windows activation code to re-activate the new copy with (and…
Salami
  • 237
10
votes
5 answers

Windows activation with planned reinstall

My laptop's hard drive is dying. It still works (boots Windows 7, run some programs), but it is obviously damaged. I am buying a new one to replace it. I have a legal and activated copy of Windows 7 32-bit Professional (RETAIL, not OEM). What should…
Pablo Santa Cruz
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