HP PCs - Windows 10 product activation
All HP computers shipped with Windows 10 activate automatically when connected to the internet. If you install a different version of Windows 10, the system might need to reactivate Windows. There might also be situations when Windows requires reactivation although the product has already been activated.
You might need to reactivate Windows 10 if you upgraded your version of Windows 10, reinstalled Windows 10 from recovery media, installed certain device drivers or software, or uninstalled certain device drivers or software.
You can buy a new Windows Product Key from a store or online if you want to change to a different edition of Windows 10. For example, if you want to switch from Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Pro. When the new Product Key is entered, the system reactivates using that new Product Key.
Activate Windows 10
Windows 10 can only be activated by connecting to the internet (except if you are using a Volume License key). Windows 10 cannot be activated over the phone.
If a system has a Digital Product Key that was loaded onto the system BIOS during the manufacturing process, the operating system uses that key to activate Windows 10 on that specific computer. Activation is automatic when the computer is connected to the internet. All HP systems sold with Windows 10 include a DPK in the BIOS.
If the system does not have a DPK in the BIOS, a Product Key can be manually entered and Windows 10 uses that Product Key to activate. Activation is automatic when the computer is connected to the internet, if the user has already typed in the Product Key.
Digital Product Keys and retail Product Keys are unique and can only be used to activate one system.
Occasionally, you might need to reinstall Windows 10 on your system. If the system has a Digital Product Key, the fresh copy of Windows 10 activates automatically when connected to the internet. If the system was activated using a 25-character Product Key manually typed into the system, you are required to type the Product Key into the system again.
If the system cannot be connected to the internet and activated, the system is in the 'Deferred Activation' state. Windows 10 can be used normally while in 'Deferred Activation.' No activation message is displayed on the desktop. A system with a valid DPK or Product Key activates automatically when connected to the internet.
On rare occasions, it is possible to connect a system with a valid DPK to the internet, but not activate Windows. After connecting to the internet, Windows exits 'Deferred Activation' and expects to be activated. The system displays a light grey message in the lower-right corner of the desktop stating that Windows is not activated. Also, various personalization features are turned off. For example, the user cannot change the desktop background. The easiest fix is to connect the system to the internet, ensuring that it has access to Microsoft, and then allow the system time to activate.
If the system does not have a valid DPK or Product Key, Windows 10 cannot be activated on the system.
|
Valid Product Key |
Connected to the internet |
Activation |
|---|---|---|
|
Yes |
Yes |
Automatic |
|
Yes |
No |
Deferred activation Not activated, but fully functional |
|
Yes |
Yes, but not activated |
Not activated Not activated and message on desktop Personalization features are blocked |
|
No |
Yes |
Not activated Not activated and message on desktop Personalization features are blocked |
|
No |
No |
Deferred activation Not activated, but fully functional |
Enter a Windows 10 Product Key
Systems purchased without Windows 10, or the Windows 10 downgrade to Windows 7, do not contain a Digital Product Key. Windows 10 can be installed on the system without a Product Key, but the system requires a DPK or Product Key for activation. Windows 10 displays a light grey message in the lower-right corner of the desktop stating that Windows is not activated.
You must purchase a valid Windows 10 license, which includes a 25-character Product Key. The Product Key can be manually entered either during installation of the OS or after Windows 10 is installed.
-
Press the Windows
+ i keys to open the Windows Settings application.
-
In the Product Key field, type the 25-character Product Key.
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If you purchased a Windows 10 retail kit, the Product Key is on the Windows 10 Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label. Apply the Windows 10 COA label to your computer for easy reference in the future.
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If you bought Windows 10 over the internet, the Product Key might have been included in an email you received after purchasing and downloading Windows 10.
Windows automatically detects whether the Product Key is valid.
If a User Account Control message is displayed, type your password or provide confirmation.
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Confirm that Windows was activated
Verify that Windows activation was successful.
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Press the Windows
-
Select Activation in the Update & Security window, and then look for the activation confirmation in the Windows area.
Troubleshoot Windows 10 activation errors
If an error message is displayed while you are attempting to activate Windows, you might need to contact Microsoft to get support. Before contacting Microsoft, find your Product ID in the System properties.
To find your Product ID, type Product ID in the taskbar search box, and then select View your Product ID in the search results.
You can also press the Windows+ i keys, select System, and then select About.
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