Microsoft has suffered more losses from software piracy than any other software company. Of course, it uses different methods to protect its products from illegal copying. One of them is activation.
Instructions
Step 1
After installing Windows OS, you must activate your copy within 30 days, otherwise you will not be able to work with it. To activate Vista, click Start and select Computer, Properties, and Click here to activate.
If you have Windows XP installed, select the All Programs option from the Start menu, then Accessories, System Tools and the Windows Activation command.
Step 2
If you want to activate your copy over the Internet, select the "Yes, activate over the Internet" option. Check Windows Activation Privacy Statement, click Back, then Next.
Step 3
You will be prompted to choose whether to activate your copy or register and activate. If you choose the second option, you provide Microsoft Corporation with some contact information: name, company name, address, telephone number, or email address. After that, you can subscribe to the Microsoft newsletter. Check the box "Yes, register and activate", click "Registration confidentiality agreement", click "Back", then "Next". Fill in the fields of the registration form. Use the "Next" button to continue.
Step 4
If you choose only activation, check the box "No, do not register, only activate" and click "Next". The installation wizard will automatically connect to the activation server and process the request. After activation is complete, you will receive a message. Click "OK" to confirm.
Step 5
If you want to activate Windows by phone, select "Yes, activate Windows by phone." Check Windows Activation Privacy Statement, click the Back and Next buttons. You will need to provide the Activation Center with the installation code that is displayed during Windows installation after entering your product key.
Step 6
You can install your copy of Windows on the same computer as many times as you like. The Activation Wizard links hardware configuration information to the product key, so a new activation after reinstalling Windows is required in the following cases:
- major upgrade - for example, simultaneous replacement of the hard drive and RAM;
- formatting the hard drive, in which activation data is lost;
- malicious activity of the virus that destroyed this data.
