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. There are three methods to which you can activate your product: Online via the internet, by telephone using our automated systems, and by a live support advocate.

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

Office might activate automatically. However, depending on your product you might see the Microsoft Office Activation Wizard. If so, follow the prompts to activate Microsoft 365 . If you need activation help, see Activate Office. Learn how to install Office 2013 on your PC or Office for Mac 2011.

In most cases, Office is activated once you start an application and after you click Accept to agree to the License terms. If you need activation help, see Activate Office. After activating Office and before you start using it, make sure you have the latest update.

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. If you're unable to activate Windows 11, the Activation troubleshooter could help. To use the troubleshooter, select Start > Settings > System > Activation , and then select Troubleshoot .

Run the Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter: select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation and then select Troubleshoot. Check if you have a paper copy of your Windows 25-character product key you can enter to activate Windows 10.

Summary. This article provides an overview of the Microsoft Office Activation Wizard. Office includes an Activation Wizard. To fully use Office, you must activate Office. If you do not activate the product after you install it, the Office programs can be started only in reduced-functionality mode.

Try guided support. If Office activation fails, you'll see Unlicensed Product or Non-commercial use / Unlicensed Product in the title bar of your Office apps, and most features of Office are disabled. To restore all features of Office, you'll need to fix the problem that's causing activation to fail.

Change the product key for your version. How you change the product key depends on your version of Office. Select your Office version from the tabs below. Best practice for multiple versions of Office. If you bought multiple copies of Office and used the same Install button to install Office on multiple PCs, activation fails on the other PCs.