Most of the time this is the easiest part of the whole process: paste a key, wait a few seconds, done. But error messages have a way of making a small problem look serious, so here's how it should go and what to do if it doesn't.
Before you start
- Connect to the internet. Online activation needs it.
- Keep the email with your key open, or find the key in your account.
- Copy and paste the key if you can. An 8 and a B look awfully similar late at night.
- Activate soon after you receive your key. Ours should be activated within 24 hours.
Activating Windows
- Open Settings > System > Activation.
- Choose Change product key.
- Enter your 25-character key and follow the prompts.
If the installer rejects the key partway through a clean install, don't panic. Choose "I don't have a product key", finish installing, then use the steps above once you reach the desktop.
Activating Office, Project or Visio
- Open any app in the suite, such as Word.
- Enter your key when asked.
- If it doesn't ask, go to File > Account and choose to change the product key.
Common errors, in plain English
| What you see | What it usually means | Try this |
|---|---|---|
| 0xC004F050 | The key wasn't accepted | Re-enter it carefully, and check it matches your edition |
| 0xC004C003 | The activation server refused the key | Contact us with your order number |
| 0x803F7001 | Windows can't find a valid license | Enter your key under Settings > System > Activation |
| Key is for a different edition | For example, a Pro key on a PC running Home | Make sure the installed edition matches the key you bought |
Still stuck?
Windows has a built-in Troubleshoot button on the Activation page, which appears when Windows isn't activated. It's worth one click. Some keys can also be activated by phone, and we'll give you the instructions if yours needs it.
A quick tip: when you contact us, send a screenshot of the error along with your order number. It saves a round of back-and-forth and gets you going sooner.
How to confirm it worked
For Windows, the Activation page will say it's active. For Office, File > Account should show "Product Activated".
If a key won't activate and we can't sort it out, our returns page explains how refunds work. You can also get in touch or browse the FAQs.