If you just purchased a Windows 10 PC or perhaps a license key, it is important that you check Windows 10 activation status after installing Windows 10 in your system. Though Windows makes it easy to understand if your product is fully activated or otherwise, it can be quite confusing at times. So, here are a few sure-fire ways to check if Windows 10 is activated properly or otherwise.
Check If Windows 10 Is Activated
As you can tell from the post title itself, you will find multiple ways to see if your Windows 10 is correctly activated or otherwise. All the methods shown below will give you the same result. Stick to the one you like or feel easy. For convenient navigation, make use of the jump links below.
1. Check Windows Activation Status from System App
This really is one of the easiest and fastest methods to see if Windows is activated or not. This method works in Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10.
Open the start menu.
Search for “Control Panel” and open it up.
In the user interface, find “System” option and click on it.
Under the “Windows Activation” section, you should see “Windows is Activated” if Windows 10 is activated properly.
If Windows is not activated, you will see the Windows activation status as “Windows isn’t activated”.
2. See if Windows 10 Is Activated Using the Settings App
The new settings app can display if Windows 10 is activated or not. Additionally, the settings app also lets you know the activation method. i.e digital license or product key.
Digital License: Digital license is offered if you have upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10 in the free upgrade period or if you bought or upgraded Windows 10 from Microsoft store.
Product Key: Product key license type is seen whenever you bought a physical or digital copy of Windows 10 from a certified seller or purchased a pre-installed Windows 10 system. This license type is also applicable to volume licensing and MSDN subscription.
Press Win + I to open the settings app.
Go to “Update and Security -> Activation”.
On the best panel, you will notice the activation status under the “Windows” section.
You can also see the activation method. i.e, digital license or product key right next to the “Activation”.
In my case, Windows is activated via digital license.
If Windows is not activated, you will notice “Windows 10 isn’t activated” message alongside “Activation”.
Related: How to locate Windows 10 version number
3. Check Windows Activation Status using Command Prompt or PowerShell
You may also make use of the command prompt and/or PowerShell to see if Windows is activated or otherwise. When you use this process, additionally, you will see what edition of Windows you are using. i.e, Home or Professional.
Note: I’m showing within the command prompt however the same command will work in PowerShell too.
Open the beginning menu.
Search for Command Prompt or PowerShell.
Enter the next command and free Enter.
slmgr /xpr
If Windows is activated properly, you will see “The machine is permanently activated” dialog box.
ou may also call at your Windows editor directly on the surface of the activation status line. In my case, I’m using Windows 10 Pro edition.
If Windows isn’t activated, you will notice “Error: product key not found” message in the dialog box.
That is all. It’s that simple to check if Windows 10 is activated or otherwise.
Microsoft Office and Windows 