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.
Method 1 of 3:

Windows 10

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    Open the Settings app. Click the Start
    How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated Picture 2How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated Picture 2
    button and click the settings
    How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated Picture 3How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated Picture 3
    gear.
  2. How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated Picture 4How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated Picture 4
    Click Update & Security.
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    Click Activation from the left pane.
  4. How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated Picture 6How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated Picture 6
    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.
  2. How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated Picture 8How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated Picture 8
    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
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    button.
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    Right-click on Computer in the right column.
  3. How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated Picture 12How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated Picture 12
    Click Properties from the context menu. This will open the System Properties window in the Control Panel.
  4. How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated Picture 13How to Check if Microsoft Windows is Activated Picture 13
    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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