It is always necessary to activate windows on your PC, and how does it work effectively to function? Below is how to go about the Windows activation process.
Windows Activation is just like a checking tool by Microsoft to know if a user is using a proper Windows or not on their PC. The strictness of Microsoft on the Window Activation policy has made us know that even if the system fails during the activation process, your windows will still continue to function till the activation process is finally resolved. There are lots of consequences to be faced when you fail to activate your Windows.
And the explanations on how to activate your Windows go further below.
What’s Windows Activation?
Whenever a user is using an unactivated Windows version, be it version 10 or 11, the Windows Activate sign must have been shown at the bottom of the screen. The Windows Activation is used by Microsoft to avoid software piracy, just to be sure that users are using a very genuine Windows copy on their computer.
The Windows Activation makes sure that a single copy does not run on several multiple systems.
The digital license or the product key is used by Windows when the activation is going on to verify if the system is eligible for the Windows Activation through the typed-in key. Most updates are received in an unlicensed way but certain update options come only on the activated Windows.
Methods of Activating Windows
There are two known methods of activating a Windows, based on where the copy can be found. The two methods are explained thus:
- Having a product key of 25 digits: This product key of 25-character will help in activating the Windows. And the product key is always in this manner: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX.
- By a digital license of the Windows copy: The digital license is also a new method of activation introduced by Microsoft, which does not require a product key at all but rather create an online digital license while upgrading from a genuine Windows version to another latest version (10 or11) on the internet.
NOTE: Users need to log in by using the same Microsoft account to activate Windows copy through the digital keys.
The Types of Windows Activation
The two types of Windows Activation are:
- Consumer-level: This simply means the purchase of an activation key from a Microsoft store or an authorized outlet by Microsoft. As this is for personal use not for the public or general.
- Enterprise level: It is also known as “Volume Licensing”, meaning that you can get a pre-activated Windows copy from OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) itself. A Windows that is activated by the KMS (Key Management Service) or MAK keys also fall under this category.
How the Windows Activation Works
Microsoft will demand from you to type in your product keys after installation to confirm if the Windows copy is a genuine one or it is not. If it is a genuine one, your Windows will be activated successfully and you will also be eligible to benefit from the latest features of the Windows on your system.
But if the Windows is not a genuine one, definitely the process of activation will fail while entering the pirated keys and you will not be able to benefit from the latest features of Windows on your system.
The three ways of Windows Activation are explained thus:
- Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
- Microsoft Activation Server.
- Key Management Service (KMS).
OEM
If your Windows is activated through the OEM Activation method, you don’t need to go through the Activation process anymore. This method is quite simple as the system manufacturer will just key in the digital product key into the BIOS. Once you have the internet on your system and you are booting your system for the very first time, then your window will be automatically activated.
No matter the number of hardware you have changed on OEM, excluding hardware on your system, with this you don’t need to go through the Windows activation process again. If you probably had a change in hardware, you can use the Activation Windows troubleshooter to reactivate such Windows.
Note that your Microsoft account is linked with the digital license.
Microsoft Activation Servers
The activation of Windows is done via the MAK (Multiple Activation keys). In short, the two types of keys are used for activating Windows, just that the only difference is that the MAK is used for enterprises purpose while the Consumer Keys are meant for personal purposes.
When entering the keys for activation purposes, the server will check to know if you’ve entered a genuine key, it can also activate several copies of Windows or not. If you fail in any of these, then you will be left with many “Windows Activations errors”.
KMS
The KMS helps enterprises in activating a real and genuine Windows copy. Most enterprises purchase their Windows Activation keys for their computers through Volume Licensing.
Key Management Service (KMS) has made it easy that users don’t need internet browsing to activate their Windows. KMS has also made it possible for its users to activate Windows on several computers with just a single key. While entering the key, the key will be sent to the KMS server to check for its Genuity.
Activation can also be done through Microsoft Chat or phone calls.
Also Read:
How to Install and Use Windows 10 Without a Product key
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