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

Let's take a good look at the clues in this example that pretends to be a subscription confirmation to Norton LifeLock. 1. The sender address. The sender's email address is often the first clue that the message is a fake. In this example they haven't even tried to make it look real.

A Windows product key is a 25-character code used to activate Windows. It looks like this: Locate your product key for Windows 10 or Windows 11. Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10 or Windows 11, you'll need either a 25-character product key or a digital license to activate it.

Windows will let you know if you need to restart your device to complete an update, and you can choose a time that works best for you to complete that update. The latest Windows update is Windows 11, version 23H2, also known as the Windows 11 2023 Update.

Contact Microsoft Support. Find solutions to common problems, or get help from a support agent.

Learn how to get Microsoft account help, troubleshoot sign in issues, keep your account secure, and manage your Microsoft account dashboard.

If you're having problems with Windows 11 on your PC or you want a fresh copy of Windows 11 without the clutter of old files or apps, you can reinstall Windows 11 to try and fix your issues and return your PC to a cleaner state.

Automatically update Windows 10, Windows 11, and Surface drivers and firmware (Recommended) Manually update Surface drivers and firmware (Advanced) You'll find the links for drivers after choosing your Surface model in the dropdown list in this section.

Learn how to remove malware from your PC. Use Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows 10 or Windows 11 to scan your PC for malware, viruses, or other threats.

Give your PC a Fresh Start. Resetting your PC lets you perform a clean reinstallation and update of Windows while keeping your personal data and most Windows settings intact. In some cases, a clean installation may improve your device's performance, security, browsing experience, and battery life.