Windows 10: Open the Settings app, click on Update & security, and navigate to Activation.Windows 8.1: Go to Control Panel, click System and Security, and click System: Then look under Windows activation.Windows 7: Click the Start button, right-click Computer, and click Properties.As such, you must ensure your copy is fully activated before upgrading.Ĭhecking your Windows activation is very easy: Also, an online “digital license” (digital entitlement) will be created for your device.Īccording to Microsoft documentation, if your version of Windows is not activated before upgrading to Windows 10, it won’t activate. If you have upgraded to Windows 10 from a genuine copy of Windows 7 or 8.1, the activation will happen automatically through an internet connection. You have purchased a new computer running Windows 10.You’re using the Volume Licensing agreement for Windows 10 or MSDN subscription.You have obtained a digital copy of Windows 10 from an authorized retailer.You have obtained a copy of Windows 10 from an authorized retailer.Windows 10 will use the product key activation method if one of the following is true:

You’re part of the Windows Insider Program and have upgraded your genuine activated copy of Windows 7 or 8.1 to the latest Windows 10 Insider Preview build.You’ve purchased a Windows 10 Pro upgrade in the Windows Store and successfully activated Windows 10.

You’ve purchased a copy of Windows 10 in the Windows Store and successfully activated Windows 10.

You’re upgrading a genuine copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 for free.

Windows 10 will use the “digital license” (digital entitlement) activation method if one of the following is true: In this case, activation will happen automatically. According to Microsoft, “digital license” is the new activation method in Windows 10 that doesn’t require the user to enter a product key.

Windows digital license