Note: Ensure that your computer is fully connected online when you want to reactivate, and then proceed with the prompts to use either a digital license or product key.
For digital license, simply run the Activation Troubleshooter: Here, you will need to add your MSA first and then link the account with the digital license on your PC. Once your Microsoft account has been linked, Windows can now be reactivated by running the Activation Troubleshooter. This troubleshooter will only be made available if your own model of Windows 10 (version 1607 or later) has not been activated.
To utilize Activation troubleshooter:
▪ Sign in to the PC as administrator.
▪ Click on the Start icon, tap Settings , select Update & Security , tap Activation and click on Troubleshoot . The troubleshooter will display that Windows can’t be activated on your device .
▪ Click on I changed hardware on this device recently , and then tap Next .
▪ Input the Microsoft account and password that is joined to your computer, then click Sign in . It is only the connected Microsoft account that can work with the Activation trou-bleshooter.
▪ You will be prompted with a list of devices linked with your Microsoft account, tick the checkbox that is next to the “This is the device I’m using right now.”
▪ Click Activate .
▪ If you cannot find the computer you are in possession of in the result displayed, ensure that you are actually signed in with the same Microsoft account that you have associated with the Windows10 digital license on your computer.
Use the product key in case no digital license is available: If Windows10 was not pre-installed on your computer when you bought it and you deployed product key to upgrade to Windows10, then that same product key will be needed after an important hardware change on your computer. Click on the Start icon, tap Settings , select Update & Security , tap Activation and click on Change Product Key , and input the product key.
Activating Windows 10 using a Product Key
Your product key is just a 25-character code, and it looks like;
PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
During the installation processes, you will be prompted to fill in the product key. Or, after successful installation, to input the product key, click on the Start icon, tap Settings , select Update & Security , tap Activation , click Update product key and tap on Change product key.
The “Change Product Key” option can be used to activate your copy of Windows 10 if you are with a product key. Consider the supplemental details below to help with activation in different scenarios;
- When you are installing first time and if you are activating on a new computer or motherboard: You will need to have a genuine product key to activate your own version of Windows 10 on a computer that has never been activated before. At the same time, you will equally need to have a valid product key if you are installing a model of Windows10 that was not previously activated on the computer. For instance, you will require a real product key in order to have Windows10 Pro installed and activated on a computer where Windows10 Home had been installed previously. During the process of installation, you will be asked to input a genuine product key. Once the installation has been completed, Windows10 will then be activated automatically online. If you want to verify activation status in Windows10, click on Start symbol, tap Settings , select Update & Security then tap Activation .
- Activate after reinstalling Windows 10: During reinstallation, you will be requested to input a product key. When you enter your product key, your version will be activated. If you completed the setup and you forgot to enter your product key, you can still do that. Click on the Start button, tap Settings , select Update & Security , tap Activation , click Update product key and tap on Change product key.
REINSTALL WINDOWS10
If you are having issues with Windows10 on your computer or you just want a new edition of Windows10 without having old apps or files coming with the new Windows, you can just reinstall Windows10 to fix the system issue and return your computer to a cleaner state.
Note: Before you reinstall Windows, it is possible that the issue your computer is having is one that is associated with disc space. Try to free up some disc space and see if this resolves the problem. To free up some disc space in Windows10, follow the prompts below;
Note: You can check the amount of disc space remaining on your Windows computer by clicking on File Explorer found in the taskbar, and then choose This PC found on the left. You will be able to see the amount of disc space on your device under Devices and drives .
How to free up space with Storage Sense on your computer
Storage Sense can be used to remove temporary or unnecessary files on your computer.
By turning on Storage Sense, you are telling the Windows to free up space automatically by helping to delete files you don’t need, such as files in the Recycle Bin and temporary files, especially when you are low on disk space or at any interval you specify. The steps below will teach you how to activate and configure Storage Sense, and how to delete temporary files.
For individuals who might be unable to locate Storage Sense on their computer, use the “Free up space with Disk Cleanup" discussed below instead.
Follow the prompts below if you want to delete temporary files with Storage Sense
Click Start
