This tutorial works for all Windows versions. Just follow below to see which method/methods is/are associated with your Windows version. They are all the free ways of activating Windows on your computer without spending money or needing a license key. But in case you have your license key, you should use the legal way – we have included that in this tutorial too.
Why You Need To Activate Windows
If Windows is not activated yet on your device, you need to activate it for the following reasons.
• Windows comes with several features, many of which are only available in the licensed version. Without activating Windows, you won’t be able to enjoy some features like changing system-wide theme and many other customizations.
• You won’t be able to use Microsoft Office in Windows unless you activate it. If you manage to install the crack or trial version, you will be greeted with a constant message pop-up reminding you to activate. That may be annoying.
• There will be a permanent watermark at the bottom right of the screen reminding you that you are using the free version and need to activate Windows
• You might not be able to download updates. Updates provide new features, features updates, bugs fixes, and security patches. There are security fixes for malware, virus, and other cyber threats that were discovered recently. Fighting cyber criminals and hackers is a difficult war and you can never defeat them but only keep them at bay. Windows updates are one way to do that.
• The Microsoft development team are not the only people who are working on bugs. Independent developers and enthusiasts are also contributing through the Microsoft Bug Bounty Program. If you find a bug and report it to Microsoft, you’ll be awarded for your effort. These rewards can be substantial, which is why some people have taken it as their profession and do this for a living too. Without receiving updates, you won’t be able to find the bugs on them and report to Microsoft.
Why Not Use Cracked Keys
There are many cracked Windows keys present in the internet claiming to activate Windows freely but the below points might be encountered when trying to use this means:
• Most of these keys don’t work
• Some of the sites sharing them may be full of ads, viruses, and trojans, and may be after your data.
• Scams and frauds are also rampant. You can come across someone who claims he/she has a spare Windows 10 license key. He/she will ask you to pay upfront through PayPal or even Bitcoin, which will cost you less than a 10th of the original price. You will buy thinking it’s a legit deal only to realize you were just scammed. So, it is advisable to buy directly from Microsoft or authorized dealers/retailers only. Buying from Microsoft might be more expensive than from a retailer.
Activating Windows Legally
If Windows came preinstalled on your computer, then there’s no need activating it.
In case you bought the license and have a 25-character product key, then you can activate Windows by following below:
Go to Settings (or Press Win Logo + I) > Update & Security > Activation > Update product key > Change product key. You will be prompted to input the key during or right after the installation process.
With Windows activated, you’ll see the message as in the photo below
Activating Windows Illegally (Freely)
Activator Tools
If you haven’t activated Windows yet because you can’t afford a product or activation key, then follow below to successfully activate Windows freely. The methods are 100% working if you follow them correctly – they are simple as well. But in case a method doesn’t work for you, try another. Windows will be activated permanently. The methods make use of different activator tools and Windows still remain activated even after the uninstallation of these tools.
KMS Technology/How Activator Tools Work
Most of the activator tools basically work on the principle of Microsft’s own feature called Key Management Server, KMS (KMSpico and KMSAuto Net names derived from it) introduced some years back. The feature is used for the vast companies having a lot of machines at their place. In this way, it is hard to buy a Windows License for each machine and this is the reason why KMS was introduced. Now a company has to just buy a KMS server for them and using it at a time they can get a license for all their machines. Then after every 180 days, the product key is automatically renewed and this cycle maintains a permanent activation. This is exactly what activator tools that use the KMS Technology do as well. The activator key creates/installs a server (KMS) on your computer and makes it looks like you are part of that server. The product is activated for 180 days too. This is the disadvantage of the KMS Technology because it requires a user to connect to the internet after every 180 days if activation is to remain permanent (the tool keeps running in your machine to check and renew the license keys right after 180 days if you go online). In case you don’t connect to the internet within the given time, your activation will be removed and you will be required to do it again. The Technology is quite hard for Microsoft to detect, so your computer will remain safe and you will receive updates from them as well.
Key Generation/How Activator Tools Work
Some activator tools use another method called key generation where they generate the key used to activate Windows. Other tools have both the KMS and key generation features e.g Microsoft Toolkit and KMSAuto Net. Using the product key, the activation is permanent and you don’t need to go online for any reactivation.
A) Using KMSpico
KMSpico by TeamDaz, also sometimes called Windows 10 Activator is one of the best activator tools out there and it works 100%. The tool pirates Windows & Office keys and has no virus or malicious code in it. It is 100% safe and secure to use even (but only download from a reliable source). It is different from the other tools below in that it uses only the KMS technology to activate Windows or MS office while the others can do this as well as provide a second alternative of generating a license key for activation such that you can choose either the KMS or license key generator feature.
Features
• Free.
• Works offline.
• Ad-free.
• Small file size
• Simple UI, easy to use and works 100%.
• Anti-ban and can’t be detected by Microsoft.
• Activates both Windows and Microsoft Office. The both are activated individually however. (See how to activate Microsoft Office freely here).
• All Windows 8 – 11 editions (Enterprise, Home, Professional, Education, Home N, Education N, etc) are supported. For Win11, old KMSpico versions won’t work (the one provided on this page will work). Always use latest versions as new features may be added.
• All Office versions (2016, 2019, etc) and editions are supported.
• N-Bit activation i.e supports multi-arch (can be used on both x32-bit and x64-bit).
• The activation is permanent. Though it expires after 180 days, the activation automatically renews once you are connected to the internet during this time. If Activation is not restored after it has expired, you’ll have to repeat the process.
• Virus free. However, only download from the official website or from the download link I have provided.
Disadvantages
• Activates only Windows 8 and 10. Doesn’t work for 7 and others.
• Listed as a virus or unwanted program on your PC.
• Lacks key generator feature.
• Requires installation of the application unlike most other tools.
• Requires reactivation after 180 days (6 months).
Let’s Get Started
— .Net framework 4.0 or above should be installed on your computer.
— Take note of the photos below now that Windows isn’t activated. When we’ll finish the activation process, you’ll see some changes that I am going to show after Windows has been successfully activated. We are using Windows 10 here – if you use another Windows version that is supported by this method, just follow the same procedures.
— Download KMSpico zip file (go to the bottom of this page for download).
— Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > scroll and click Manage Settings > next disable Real-time protection using the toggle Yes if a pop up appears. If you have any other antivirus program running, disable it. Go to the Taskbar, right-click on the antivirus icon and then click Exit, Close, or anything similar to closing from the options (see the second photo below). It is a highly recommended step otherwise when you extract the zip file, all its contents will be deleted instantly or you won’t be able to install the tool.
— Download KMSpico zip file. Go to the bottom of this page for downloads.
— Extract the downloaded zip file to a convenient location. Depending on where you downloaded the file, it might come encrypted meaning you’ll have to input a password (that the website will provide). For the KMSpico download link below, the password is 12345 (make sure to always check this when downloading from any website).
— Go to the extraction folder and open it. You’ll see two files as shown in the photo below.
— Right-click on the KMSpico.exe file and choose Run as administrator from the options. You might not be able to proceed with the installation if you don’t do it this way.
— A password window will pop-up. In the extraction folder, the second file is named password. Double-click on it to open in a text editor. Copy the text you see. Now input the text in the password box of the password window and click OK.
— Proceed with the installation. If you might like to choose an installation location, do so during the process. However, do not thick Don’t create Start Menu folder option at the final stage of the installation.
— When Installation is completed, go to Start menu and launch KMSpico. If you are asked if you want to allow the app to make changes to your device, clikck Yes (see second photo below)
— Once the tool launches, you will see the Windows icon at the top and a red button with 0% next to it.
— Click on that red button to start the activation process. After the task is completed, you will be notified by a sound saying Program Complete and the Windows icon background will turn green. The tool will automatically close itself, if not, close it.
— Now restart your computer and KMSpico will automatically uninstall itself. If not so, you can uninstall it if you like.
— Now check Activation status by going to Settings > Update & Security > Activation and you should see Windows is activated. The Activate Windows watermark on the screen will be gone too. You can go to Settings > Personalisation and do the customizations that you were prohibited from doing when Windows wasn’t activated. See photo three to five below. You should also be receiving Windows updates henceforth.
— You can now turn on Real-time protection (by following the route you used above) and antivirus programs. If after a scan Real-time protection or an antivirus lists KMSpico as risky, ignore it or choose to allow on PC. From the photo below, choose Allow on device and then click on Start actions.
— If Windows still shows not activated try repeating, may be you missed a step. If you still don’t get luck, then try the other methods below.
— If activation expires (may be after 180 days, just connect your computer online and KMSpico underground service will automatically re-activate Windows. If not re-activated, then you’ll have to repeat the above activation process again.
— To activate MS Office too, click here.
— We are done with this method. Let’s move to the other methods. Choose the second page below.
Downloads
— KMSpico
• Link (V11.0.1)
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