Activation helps verify that your copy of Windows is genuine and hasn’t been used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. This article will help you troubleshoot and fix common activation errors in Windows. For help finding your product key, see Find your Windows product key.

Microsoft account dashboard. There are a number of possible explanations for why verification codes don't always arrive. Read through the list of the most common causes, and see if any of them apply to you, or use our troubleshooter to help guide you. Start. I'm not getting my verification code.

If you have a digital gift card that's good for a game or app, see Redeem a gift card or code to your Microsoft account. To buy an app or game, visit Microsoft Store online, on Windows and Xbox. If you bought your Microsoft software from a third-party website, you'll need to get download and product key info from them.

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

Contact Support. For technical support, go to Contact Microsoft Support, enter your problem and select Get Help. If you still need help, select Contact Support to be routed to the best support option. Learn how to manage your Microsoft account security info and troubleshoot verification code issues.

A Subscribed badge means a Microsoft 365 subscription such as Microsoft 365 Family or Personal is already associated with your account and you can access many of your subscription benefits including installing the desktop apps.

A product key is a 25-character code that's used to activate Windows and helps verify that Windows hasn't been used on more PCs than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow.

You can link your social media account in one of two ways: Use the Xbox mobile app to scan the QR code. Select the Link option which will launch the Microsoft Edge app on Xbox. You can choose to link your Discord, Reddit, Steam, Twitch, or other social media account.

With a USB-C connection, you can charge your Windows 11 PC, and you can also connect to other USB Type-C devices such as mobile phones, docking stations, display adapters, and other devices that have a USB-C port. Unfortunately, some combinations of hardware and software may cause problems. If this happens, you may get a notification that there ...

You suspect your device has been infected. Use installation media to reinstall Windows 11. Select one of the recovery options below and follow the steps to try to get things working again. If you've recently installed a Windows update, uninstall the update to try to resolve the issue.