How to check if Windows and Office are activated
Three quick ways to check your activation status, and what to do if Windows or Office isn't activated.
Updated 7 October 202601Check Windows in Settings
- Windows 11: open Settings > System > Activation. Windows 10: open Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
- Look at the Activation state line.
| Message | What it means |
|---|---|
| Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account | Activated, and you can reactivate after a hardware change by signing in. |
| Windows is activated with a digital license | Activated. Link a Microsoft account to make reactivation easier. |
| Windows is activated | Activated with a product key. |
| Windows isn't activated | Not activated. Note the error code and see the fixes below. |
Another sign: an unactivated PC shows an Activate Windows watermark in the bottom-right corner, and some personalization settings are locked.
02Check Windows with a command
Open Command Prompt and run:
slmgr /xpr
"The machine is permanently activated" means you're done. For details, run:
slmgr /dlv
The Description line shows your license channel: RETAIL, OEM or VOLUME_MAK/VOLUME_KMSCLIENT. A Volume license on a home PC usually means it was activated with a shared key or an activation tool, and it may stop working. See Retail vs OEM vs Volume keys.
03Check Office
- Open Word or Excel and go to File > Account.
- Under Product Information, you should see Product Activated and the edition name, for example Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2024.
- If you see Product Activation Required or a yellow bar asking you to activate, click Change Product Key and enter your key.
04Not activated? Next steps
- Got an error code? Look it up in Windows activation errors and fixes.
- Need to enter a new key? Follow how to activate Windows or how to install and activate Office.
- No key at all? Get Windows 11 Pro, Windows 11 Home or Office 2024 Professional Plus.
Products in this guide
Related guides
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