Learn how to activate Windows using a product key or digital license, check your activation status, and link your Microsoft account.

Summary This article explains how to activate Windows online or offline using an Installation ID and Confirmation ID across Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1/8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. It explains online activation steps, offline activation through the Product Activation Portal, and three offline workflows: Activation page, SLMGR command prompt, and SLUI command prompt. It ...

Find out how to resolve your XBOX purchase error when you're trying to buy something from the Microsoft Store.

Get a list of speech skills and voice commands you can use with a digital assistant on your XBOX console.

Learn how to find a Windows product key for activation, and when you'll use a digital license instead.

If you get an email from Microsoft account team and the email address domain is @accountprotection.microsoft.com, it is safe to trust the message and open it. Microsoft uses this domain to send email notifications about your Microsoft account. These notifications can include security codes for two-step verification and account update information, such as password changes. You can check the ...

The new digital workflow provides a more secure, reliable, and user‑friendly activation experience and helps prevent fraud. While the process has been updated, offline activation capabilities remain supported. Customers who rely on traditional offline activation can continue using it without changes to their environment. The Product Activation Portal enables activation for a wide range of ...

The August 11, 2026 update for Windows 11, version 23H2 includes security and cumulative reliability improvements in .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8.1. We recommend that you apply this update as part of your regular maintenance routines. Before you install this update, see the Prerequisites and Restart requirement sections. Summary Security Improvements CVE-2026-65810 - .NET Framework Elevation of ...

Answers to questions on finding, getting, and applying product keys.

The AGGREGATE function can apply different aggregate functions to a list or database with the option to ignore hidden rows and error values.