When you get Windows 8.1, you have to activate it for a certain amount of time to be able to continue using it. Activating Windows is easy, as a guide and an activation key are included in the installation package. However, if you lose the activation key, there is an alternative way to activate it.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Recovering Lost Codes
Step 1. Download a program to retrieve the code
Your Windows product code is embedded in the Registry, but can be retrieved with a special free program. Two popular options are ProductKey and Key Finder.
Both programs can be downloaded for free from the developer's site. Both also offer a paid version, but you can get your Windows product code with the free version
Step 2. Start the program to retrieve the code
You usually don't need to install this program. Run the program, and the available product codes will be displayed. Find the "Windows" entry to find your code.
Step 3. Write or copy your code
Your code will be marked "Product Key" or "CD Key". The Windows product code is 25 characters divided by five, five characters each.
Part 2 of 2: Activating Windows 8.1
Step 1. Open the startup window by pressing Win+R and typing slui 3.
Press Enter to open the window.
Step 2. Enter the product code
Enter the code that you found, you received from your Windows purchase, or that was attached to your computer as a sticker. You don't need to type the dash, as it will be added automatically. Windows will try to activate as soon as the code is entered.
Step 3. If that doesn't work, try entering the code via Command Prompt with Admin permissions
Press Win+X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)".
- Type slmgr.vbs /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX and press Enter. Change XXXXX to your product code. Make sure you include the strip. A window will appear showing the message "Installed product key XXXXX successfully."
- Type slmgr.vbs /ato and press Enter. A window will appear showing the message "Activating Windows(R) Your Edition". After a while, if the activation was successful, the window will display "Product activated successfully".
Step 4. Contact Microsoft if you can't activate it yet
If you're still having trouble activating, you can contact Microsoft's auto-activation service. To find the number in your area, press Win+R and type slui 4. This will open a window for your contact information and installation ID.
Make sure you copy your installation ID, because you will be asked to enter it on the phone. The ID is long, but necessary to identify your computer
Tips
- The product code is already included in the Windows 8.1 package. If you already have it, you don't need to install it via the command line.
- The product code can only be installed on a certain number of computers. If you have reached the maximum computer limit, the product code will not be valid.
- This article is written for knowledge purposes only. Purchase and activate the official Windows 8.1 operating system to prevent software errors.
- Microsoft has made it easy for new users to this operating system, and they have also made changes in providing product keys to users. The new Windows 8 product key is now embedded in the computer's BIOS instead of the sticker normally placed on the bottom of the laptop. This has affected many users in various ways, as there are many happy and unhappy users about it.
