Activation in Windows 10
Activation helps verify that your copy of Windows is genuine and hasn’t been used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10, activation will use either a digital entitlement or a 25-character product key.
Digital entitlement is a new method of activation in Windows 10 that doesn't require you to enter a product key.
How you got Windows 10
1. You upgraded to Windows 10 for free from an eligible device running a genuine copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.
Activation method : Digital entitlement
2. You bought genuine Windows 10 from the Windows Store and successfully activated Windows 10.
Activation method : Digital entitlement
3. You bought a Windows 10 Pro upgrade from the Windows Store and successfully activated Windows 10.
Activation method : Digital entitlement
4. You’re a Windows Insider and upgraded to the newest Windows 10 Insider Preview build on an eligible device that was running an activated previous version of Windows and Windows 10 Preview.
Activation method : Digital entitlement
5. You bought a copy of Windows 10 from an authorized retailer.
Activation method: Product key
(On a label inside the box Windows 10 came in.)
6. You bought a digital copy of Windows 10 from an authorized retailer.
Activation method : Product key
(In the confirmation email you received after buying Windows 10 or in a digital locker accessible through the retailer’s website.)
7. You have a Volume Licensing agreement for Windows 10 or MSDN subscription.
Activation method : Product key
(Available through the web portal for your program.)
8. You bought a new device running Windows 10.
Activation method : Product key
(Pre–installed on your device, included with the device packaging, or included as a card or on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to the device.)
For more detailed info, see the section about activating Windows 10 that applies to you.
Activation in Windows 10 - Windows Help
Activation helps verify that your copy of Windows is genuine and hasn’t been used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10, activation will use either a digital entitlement or a 25-character product key.
Digital entitlement is a new method of activation in Windows 10 that doesn't require you to enter a product key.
How you got Windows 10
1. You upgraded to Windows 10 for free from an eligible device running a genuine copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.
Activation method : Digital entitlement
2. You bought genuine Windows 10 from the Windows Store and successfully activated Windows 10.
Activation method : Digital entitlement
3. You bought a Windows 10 Pro upgrade from the Windows Store and successfully activated Windows 10.
Activation method : Digital entitlement
4. You’re a Windows Insider and upgraded to the newest Windows 10 Insider Preview build on an eligible device that was running an activated previous version of Windows and Windows 10 Preview.
Activation method : Digital entitlement
5. You bought a copy of Windows 10 from an authorized retailer.
Activation method: Product key
(On a label inside the box Windows 10 came in.)
6. You bought a digital copy of Windows 10 from an authorized retailer.
Activation method : Product key
(In the confirmation email you received after buying Windows 10 or in a digital locker accessible through the retailer’s website.)
7. You have a Volume Licensing agreement for Windows 10 or MSDN subscription.
Activation method : Product key
(Available through the web portal for your program.)
8. You bought a new device running Windows 10.
Activation method : Product key
(Pre–installed on your device, included with the device packaging, or included as a card or on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to the device.)
For more detailed info, see the section about activating Windows 10 that applies to you.
Activation in Windows 10 - Windows Help
