How to Check Activation Status on Windows 11, 10, 8, & 7

Download Article

Make sure the copy of Windows you're using is genuine

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: August 26, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

• Windows 11
|
• Windows 10
|
• Windows 8
|
• Windows 7 and Vista
|
• Command Prompt (All Versions)
|
• Video

|Show more |Show less

Want to find out if the version of Microsoft Windows on your PC is legit? Whether you installed Windows yourself or bought a computer with the operating system preinstalled, it's easy to view your activation status on Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, and Vista. This wikiHow article will teach you five simple ways to check if your copy of Microsoft Windows is activated and licensed.

Things You Should Know

• On Windows 11, go to Settings > System > Activation.
• On Windows 10, go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
• On Windows 8, press the Windows and Pause keys at the same time.
• On Windows 7 and Vista, right-click Computer and select "Properties."

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Windows 11

Download Article

1. 1
   Open your Windows Settings

   

   . It's the gray gear icon in your Start menu.

   • You can also launch the Settings app quickly by pressing Windows key + i at the same time.
2. 2
   Click System at the top-left corner.
   Advertisement
3. 3
   Click Activation. It's toward the bottom of the right panel.
4. 4
   Click the activation status. If Windows is activated, you'll see "Active" and a green checkmark at the top of the window. Clicking the activation status displays one of the following messages:

   • Windows is activated: Windows was activated manually with a 25-digit product key, but the key is not linked to a Microsoft account.
   • Windows is activated with a digital license: Windows was activated digitally when installed, but the digital license isn't connected to a Microsoft account.
   • Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account: Windows is activated, and your key is linked to your Microsoft account.
   • Windows is not activated: Windows is not active. Follow the instructions in the on-screen error message to activate.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Windows 10

Download Article

1. 1
   Open the Settings app. Click the Start

   

   button and click the settings gear.
2. 2
   Click Update & Security.
3. 3
   Click Activation on the left pane.
4. 4
   Check if Windows is activated. Review the text to the right of "Activation" under the "Windows" header.

   • Windows is activated: Windows 10 was activated with a 25-digit product key, but the key is not linked to a Microsoft account.
   • Windows is activated with a digital license: Windows was activated digitally when installed, but the digital license isn't connected to a Microsoft account.
   • Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account: Windows is activated, and your key is linked to your Microsoft account.
   • Windows is not activated: Windows is not active. Follow the instructions in the on-screen error message to activate.
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Windows 8

Download Article

1. 1
   Press the ⊞ Win+Pause keys simultaneously. This will open the System Properties window in the Control Panel.
2. 2
   Review your activation status. Look under the "Windows activation" section to see if Windows 8 is activated. Since it's at the bottom of the System Properties window, you may need to scroll down.
Advertisement

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Windows 7 and Vista

Download Article

1. 1
   Click the Start

   

   button.
2. 2
   Right-click Computer in the right column.
3. 3
   Click Properties from the context menu. This will open the System Properties window in the Control Panel.
4. 4
   Review your activation status. Look under the "Windows activation" section to see if Windows is activated. Since it's at the bottom of the System Properties window, you may need to scroll down.

   • Want to see your Windows 7 product key? Open Command Prompt and run the command wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey.
Advertisement

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Command Prompt (All Versions)

Download Article

1. 1
   Open the Command Prompt. A quick way to check your Windows activation status is to enter a command in Command Prompt. This will work with any version of Windows, from Windows 11 down to Windows Vista.
2. 2
   Type slmgr /xpr and press ↵ Enter. After a few seconds, you'll see a pop-up window that displays your activation status.

   • If Windows is activated, you'll see "The machine is permanently activated."
   • You can see more activation details, including the type of license you have, using the command slmgr /dli.
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!