Bought a used PC, or noticed "Activate Windows" in the bottom-right corner of the screen? Checking your Windows activation status takes under a minute. Here's how to do it in Settings and from the command line, plus what the results mean.
1. Check in Settings
- Go to Settings > System > Activation (on Windows 10: Settings > Update & Security > Activation).
- If Activation state says Active, you're fine.
- Expand it to see how Windows was activated. "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account" is the ideal result.
The same page shows your Windows edition (Home or Pro).
2. Check from the command line
Open Command Prompt and run:
slmgr /xprA box saying "The machine is permanently activated" means you're activated. If it shows an expiration date instead, you have a time-limited activation such as a corporate volume (KMS) license.
For more detail, run the following. It shows the license channel (Retail, OEM or Volume) and the last five characters of the product key.
slmgr /dliWhat the license types mean
| You see | What it means |
|---|---|
| Digital license | Activation is tied to this PC's hardware; reinstalling Windows reactivates automatically |
| Retail product key | Activated with a purchased key; often transferable to another PC |
| OEM | Came preinstalled with the PC; tied to that PC |
| Volume / KMS | Meant for businesses and schools; on a personal PC, ask where it came from |
3. If Windows isn't activated
- Go to Settings > System > Activation and select Troubleshoot. You need an internet connection.
- If you replaced major hardware such as the motherboard, choose I changed hardware on this device recently in the troubleshooter and sign in with your Microsoft account to reconnect your license.
- If you have a product key, enter it under Change product key.
- Still stuck? Contact the seller or Microsoft support.
Buying a used PC or a cheap key?
A few quick checks save headaches later:
- Run
slmgr /dlibefore you pay, or ask the seller for a screenshot of Settings > System > Activation. - A Volume or KMS license on a home PC usually means it came from a company, and that activation can lapse.
- Very cheap product keys from marketplaces are sometimes resold volume or region-locked keys that stop working later. If you buy a key, use Microsoft or a well-known retailer.
- If the PC came with Windows preinstalled by the manufacturer, the OEM license is normally stored in the firmware and activates automatically after a reinstall of the same edition.
4. Protect your activation ahead of time
Sign in with a Microsoft account in Settings > Accounts > Your info. Your digital license gets linked to that account, which makes reactivation much easier after a hardware change or a clean reinstall.
Avoid "free Windows activator" tools (KMS cracks and similar) found online. They're unlicensed, and they're a common way malware gets onto PCs.
FAQ
What happens if Windows isn't activated?
Windows keeps working, but you'll see a watermark and some personalization settings, like changing the wallpaper from Settings, are locked.
My used PC shows a Volume license.
It may still carry a company license that can expire. Ask the seller what license the PC came with.
Does upgrading from Windows 10 to 11 keep activation?
Yes. Upgrading from an activated Windows 10 activates Windows 11 automatically. See our Windows 11 upgrade guide.
Can I move my license to a new PC?
Retail licenses usually can be moved; OEM licenses that came with a PC usually can't. Check the result of slmgr /dli to see which you have.