Activate Windows
If you skipped entering the product key when setting up Windows, or you chose not to immediately activate, Windows will eventually make you activate by showing the dialog above. Go ahead and click Activate Windows online now–even if there’s a problem, you’re not going to get into trouble.
If it doesn’t appear automatically, you can manually activate Windows by following these steps:
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click System and Maintenance.
3. Click System.
4. Under Windows Activation, click the link to enter your product key (it might take a few seconds to appear).
If you didn’t enter a Product Key during setup, the Windows Activation wizard will prompt you to enter one now. Now’s the time; if you don’t enter it, you won’t be able to do much with Windows. If you did enter a product key during setup and you’re still prompted to enter one, click the Show me the details for the error that requires this change link. It’ll explain that your key is invalid or has been activated on a different computer–you can only activate most product keys on one computer.
If you don’t have a product key, or if you entered a product key for a different edition of Windows Vista, click Buy a new product key online. Then, click the Windows link in the upper-left corner, and pick your edition of Windows. Of course, you don’t have to order Windows this way; you can go to a store, or order one through an online retailer
If you already have a product key, type it, and click Next. You’ll see an error message if there was a problem with your product key. If activation goes well, you won’t see anything–you’ll just be taken back to your desktop. You can follow the steps I showed earlier and check under Windows Activation to verify that you activated successfully.
Posted: January 16th, 2007 under Setup, Upgrade to Vista.
Comments: 8
Comments
Pingback from This copy of Microsoft Windows is not genuine - Windows Vista help
Time: January 16, 2007, 2:54 pm
[...] This message about Windows being genuine is part of the Windows Genuine Validation. That’s separate from the Product Key you put in. Windows can be activated successfully, and still not be considered “genuine”. Follow these steps to Activate Windows. Microsoft requires that you go through Windows Genuine Validation in order to download some updates and other important files from Microsoft. It’s a pain, but it’s something you should go through. To validate your software, follow these steps: [...]
Comment from ANDREW SEDGLEY
Time: February 6, 2007, 1:36 pm
Can you activate vista by phone (I do not have the internet)
Comment from bahman
Time: March 9, 2007, 7:44 am
crack and serial windows vista
Comment from Michael K. Cronin
Time: April 4, 2007, 2:54 am
I received this message:
“The following failure occurred while trying to use the product key. Code: 0XC004F061. Description: The Software Licensing Service determined that this specified product key can only be used for upgrading, not for clean installations.”
Nonsense!
That’s for me to decide — not the Software Licensing Service.
I deleted Dell’s OEM XP and clean installed a $159 copy of Vista. The fact that I owned a copy of XP legally and morally permit me the choice of either upgrading over XP or upgrading by making a clean install of Vista. I chose clean install.
Had I not owned a copy of XP, then it is reasonable that MS insist that I pay the “Full” list price of $239 for Vista Home Premium.
How can this be resolved?
Comment from Barbara!
Time: May 1, 2007, 2:18 am
where is this websiteeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!??????????
Comment from syr00max
Time: July 30, 2007, 8:02 am
i want to activate online but it went to phone system, how can i change it to online activate!
Comment from savedasa
Time: February 1, 2008, 10:37 am
plz give me vista ultimate PRODUCT KEY PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Comment from Vincent
Time: February 29, 2008, 10:59 pm
Please I need another home premium product key.my computer is complainin of Windows Vista home premium product key you typed is invalid for activation.
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