Information
Activation is the required process of ensuring that Windows 7 on your computer is genuine and used according to the Microsoft Software License Terms. This tutorial will show you how to activate Windows 7 online with your valid product key number.
To activate online, your computer will need an Internet connection.
Note
Genuine Windows is a recurring process that checks your product key to ensure it's being used with the hardware it was paired with during activation. If the product key is found to be non-genuine, or not valid, it's likely that the product key is either being used on another computer or is counterfeit. For more information about genuine Windows, go to the genuine Windows website for FAQ's.
You might have to activate Windows 7 again if:
You uninstall Windows 7 on one computer and then install it on another. During installation, enter the product key that came with Windows. If automatic activation fails, follow the instructions that walk you through activating Windows by phone. You will have 30 days to activate Windows.
You make a significant hardware change to your computer, such as upgrading the hard disk and memory at the same time. If a major hardware change requires activating Windows again, you will be notified and will have three days to activate Windows.
You reformat your hard disk. Reformatting erases your activation status. In this case, you’ll have 30 days to activate Windows again.
A virus or malware infects your computer and deletes your activation status.
Warning
You must activate Windows 7 within the 30 days grace period after installation before it expires. When Windows 7 is activated, you'll be able to use every feature of Windows 7.
If you chose to automatically activate Windows when I'm online when you set up your computer, automatic activation begins trying to activate your copy of Windows 7 three days after you log on for the first time. See METHOD ONE below.
If you install Windows 7 on a second computer, you must buy an additional product key number to activate the second installation to continue using Windows 7 on both computers.
EXAMPLE: Windows 7 Activated
OPTION ONE
Automatically Activate Windows 7
NOTE:
This is for when you are doing a clean install or Upgrade install of Windows 7.
1. When you get to this step during installation below, type in your valid product key number and check the automatically activate Windows when I'm online box.
NOTE:
Automatic activation will now begin trying to activate your copy of Windows 7 three days after you log on for the first time.
OPTION TWO
Manually Activate Windows 7
1. Open the Control Panel (All Items view), and click on the System icon.
A) Go to step 3.
OR
2. Open the Start Menu, and right click on the Computer button and click on Properties. (See screenshot below)
3. Under the Windows activation section at the bottom, click on the 30 days to activate. Activate Windows now link. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: If you did METHOD ONE above, then you will see 3 days to activate. Activate Windows now instead.
4. Select the Activate Windows online now option. (See screenshot below)
5. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes.
6. Type in your valid Windows 7 product key number, and click on the Next button. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: You will not see this screen if you have entered your product key number during the clean installation or Upgrade installation of Windows 7, or if you did METHOD ONE above.
7. If successful, click on the Close button. (See screenshot below)
Note
If the product key is found to be non-genuine, or not valid, it's likely that the product key is either being used on another computer or is counterfeit. For more information about genuine Windows, go to the genuine Windows website.
8. Windows 7 is now activated and genuine. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: Genuine Windows is a recurring process that checks your product key is being used with the hardware it was paired with during activation.
Tip
If online activation fails, then try to activate by phone instead.
