Product keys for Windows - Microsoft Support (2024)

FAQs

Where should I get Microsoft product key? ›

The product key is preinstalled on your PC, included with the packaging the PC came in, or included on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to the PC. For more info, contact your hardware manufacturer, and for pictures of authentic product keys and COA labels, see How to tell your hardware is genuine.

If you don't have a digital license or a product key, you can purchase a Windows 10 digital license after installation finishes. Here's how: Select the Start button. Select Settings > Update & Security > Activation .

This can happen if you don't uninstall the pre-installed version of Office on your new PC before installing a volume license version of Office. To stop the prompts for activation, make sure your Office uses volume licensing and then update the registry.

You activate Microsoft 365 by signing in with a Microsoft account. If we detect your Microsoft account, we'll show it on this screen. After you sign in, your product is added to your Microsoft account, so that you can reinstall it later, or manage your new subscription, without a product key.

Based on your description, kindly try to check the 25-character codes by signing in to account.microsoft.com > go to Order History > select the date of range when you purchased V-bucks > from there check the Order details for the 25-character codes.

Here's how to view your product key in the Microsoft Store: Go to www.microsoftstore.com. In the upper right-hand corner, select Sign in and enter the user ID and password you used to buy Office. After you sign in, select your name in the upper right-hand corner, and then select Order History.

You might see this error if the product key has already been used on another device, or it's being used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. To fix the problem, buy a product key for each one of your devices to activate Windows on them.

Can I use my Windows without activation? ›

Can I use Windows 10 without activation? Windows 10 can run indefinitely without activation. So, users can utilize the unactivated platform for as long as they wish at the moment.

Restart any Office app and the message should be gone. If this is a constant issue, reset your credentials: Open Spotlight by selecting the magnifying glass at the top right of your desktop. Search for and open Keychain. Type in Office and then delete the data license file.

Microsoft displays a product ID in the installed Office program, but this ID has nothing to do with the product key. The product key is stored in encrypted form in the registry and cannot be viewed in plain text after installation, whereas the Office version number is clearly displayed.

Step 1: Start an Office app, like Word, Project, or Visio, depending on your purchase. Step 2: In the Sign in to set up Office window, select I don't want to sign in or create an account (it's a small link at the bottom of the window). Step 3: Enter your Office product key, without hyphens.

After you sign in, select your name in the upper right-hand corner, and then select Order History. Locate the Office one-time purchase or individual Office app, and then select Install Office to view your product key (this doesn't actually install Office).

A product key is a unique alphanumeric code provided during the installation of Microsoft software (such as Windows or Office). It serves as a license key that validates your ownership of the software. Product keys are typically 25 characters long and are used during the installation process.