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How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated

This wikiHow article will teach you how to check if your copy of Microsoft Windows is activated and licensed. Open the Settings app. Click the Start button and click the settings gear.

Author: Marvin Fry2 minutes read
Table of Contents
Method 1 of 3:

Windows 10

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    Open the Settings app. Click the Start
    images 1 of How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated
    button and click the settings
    images 1 of How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated
    gear.
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    Click Update & Security.
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    Click Activation from the left pane.
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    Check if Windows is activated. Review the text to the right of "Activation" under the "Windows" header.
    1. If Windows is activated, something along the lines of "Windows is activated..." will be displayed.
    2. If Windows isn't activated, "Windows is not activated" will be displayed.
Method 2 of 3:

Windows 8

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    Press the ⊞ Win+Pause keys simultaneously. This will open the System Properties window in the Control Panel.
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    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.
Method 3 of 3:

Windows 7 and Vista

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    Click the Start
    images 1 of How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated
    button.
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    Right-click on Computer in the right column.
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    Click Properties from the context menu. This will open the System Properties window in the Control Panel.
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    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.

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