How To Activate Windows 11 Without Error [3 Methods]

Here are 3 ways to activate windows 11 that you can follow to run an officially verified copy of the operating system from Microsoft. Windows 11 is a new edition of Windows firmware and comes as a worthy successor to the hits like Windows 3.1, Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 10. If the activation status shows an unactivated copy, follow the step-by-step guide below to activate your Windows 11 installation to unlock all the features.

In your daily use of a Windows PC, you may run into situations where it requires you to enter the product key to activate Windows 11, which you can do without the product key as well.

Alternatively, you can run a clean setup, and type the 25-digit product key to activate your purchased edition on the “Activate Windows” page.

You’ll also need to reactivate Windows 11 after a hardware change. And yes you can activate Win 11 OS with a Win7, 8.1/8, and 10 product key.

As you might know, the Redmond tech giant recently began releasing the latest version of Windows 11 introducing some interesting new features.

Whether you have upgraded to Windows 11 standard edition or a Windows 11 SE copy via the Installation Assistant, Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB flash drive using the official ISO file, or using UUP Dump to fetch ISO files needed to manually install after meeting all the system requirements, it is important to check if Windows 11 is activated on your PC or laptop to keep receiving official security updates and patches.

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Best Ways To Activate Windows 11:

As mentioned above, there are at least two methods to activate Windows 11 fresh copy, using the Settings app or entering the product key during the installation setup. Moreover, Windows 11 requires reactivation after a hardware change due to the new TPM 2.0 requirement.

Although Windows 11 upgrade on eligible computers is free, the operating system technically costs real money to function at its full potential. For instance, if you have a custom computer that never had Windows OS on it, you will have to purchase a product key to activate the operating system and unlock all the features.

Whereas on a desktop or laptop computer running Windows 10, upgrading to Windows 11 is free, as long as the hardware meets the minimum requirements.

Furthermore, you can also activate Windows 11 with Windows 10, Windows 8.1/8, or Windows 7 product key regardless of whether you are installing the firmware for the first time on your device.

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How To Activate Windows 11 The Right Way:

This guide will teach you the steps to activate Windows 11 22H3, 22H2, 21H2 or any older version on your computer.

Activate Windows 11 From Settings

Use these steps to activate Windows 11 setup through the Settings app:

Step 1 – Open Settings.

Step 2 – Click on System.

Step 3 – Click the Activation page on the right side.

Step 4 – Click on the Activation state setting (if applicable).

Step 5 – Click the Change button in the “Change product key” settings.

Step 6 – Enter the current 25-digit product key for the installed edition of Windows 11. (You can use a Windows 10 key as well.)

Step 7 – Hit the Next button.

Step 8 – (Optional) Click the Open Store button to open the Microsoft Store.

Step 9 – Click the Buy button.

Step 10 – Continue with the on-screen directions to complete the license purchase and activate Windows 11 (if applicable).

Step 11 – All done.

If you are using Windows 11 with a Microsoft account, the license will link to your account as a “digital license” (digital entitlement) so that you can reinstall the operating system without needing to re-enter the key.

Activate Windows 11 During Installation

Follow these steps to activate Windows 11 during the installation process:

Step 1 – Start the PC with the Windows 11 USB flash drive.

Step 2 – Hit any key to continue.

Step 3 – Click the Next button.

Step 4 – Click the Install now button.

Step 5 – On the “Activate Windows” page, enter the current 25-digit product key for the edition of Windows 11. (You can use a Windows 10 key as well.)

Step 6 – Click the Next button to verify the license.

Step 7 – Continue with the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.

Step 8 – That’s it.

Although you can enter the serial key number to activate Windows 11 during the installation, there is an option to skip this step by clicking the “I don’t have a product key” option.

If you want to reinstall the Windows firmware, the system will reactivate automatically using an internet connection after the installation.

That said, you must activate the setup with the Windows 11 Home or Pro product key if this is a new install.

In case the product key doesn’t match the Windows edition, you will need to reinstall the operating system one more time with the correct edition that matches the license.

Reactive Windows 11 After Hardware Change

When you make significant changes to hardware on the computer (replacing the memory, processor, and motherboard), the installation may lose its activation because it thinks this is a new computer. However, the activation troubleshooter helps you re-activate for free.

See the steps below to reactivate Windows 11 after a hardware change.

Step 1 – Open Settings on Windows 11.

Step 2 – Click on System.

Step 3 – Click the Activation page on the right side.

Step 4 – Click the Activation state settings (if applicable).

Step 5 – Click the Troubleshoot button next to the “Windows reported that no product key was found on your device. Error code: 0xC004F213.”