5 ways to validate whether Windows is activated and genuine

Do you use Windows 10, Windows 7 or Windows 8.1? Do you want to know whether your Windows is activated and genuine? Do you need to know whether activated copies of Windows are also genuine? If the answer is yes, read this article. We explain how Windows activation works, how to check if your Windows is activated, and how to find out if your copy of Windows is genuine. Let’s start:

NOTE: This guide works in Windows 10, Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. We tested all the methods we described, in all three versions. Some methods work only in some versions of Windows, so we mentioned that in their sections titles accordingly.

1. How to check if Windows 10 is activated from the Settings app

If you are using Windows 10, there is a quick and easy way for you to check its activation status. Start by opening the Settings app and then, go to Update & Security.

On the left side of the window, click or tap Activation. Then, look on the right side, and you should see the activation status of your Windows 10 computer or device.

In our case, Windows 10 is activated with a digital license linked to our Microsoft account. Windows 10 can also be activated using a product key that can be purchased in many ways. If you want to learn more about the activation methods and types of licenses, read this documentation from Microsoft: Activation in Windows 10.

2. How to check whether Windows is activated, using the Control Panel (all Windows versions)

This method applies to all modern versions of Windows, and it starts by opening the Control Panel. If you do not know how to open it, read this guide: 14 ways to start the Control Panel in Windows (all versions).

Then, go to System and Security and click or tap System.

The System section opens. Here you can see information about your computer or device. Scroll down until you find the _Windows Activatio_n section.

In Windows 10 and Windows 8.1, you should see a line stating whether Windows is activated or not, just like in the screenshot below.

In Windows 7, you should see the same line, and also a badge on the right, that says “ask for genuine Microsoft software.”

3. How to check if Windows is activated by simply opening the Settings app in Windows 10

An alternative way to quickly check whether your Windows 10 is activated or not is to simply open the Settings app. Open it and, if you see a text that says “Windows isn’t activated. Activate Windows now.” displayed on the bottom, then it is clear that your Windows 10 is not activated.

If you do not see the text, then your Windows is most likely activated.

4. How to check if Windows is activated by simply opening the PC Settings screen in Windows 8.1

In Windows 8.1, open the PC Settings screen. If the first thing you see on the left of the screen is an option called “Activate Windows” then it means that your Windows 8.1 is not activated.

If you do not see it and the first thing on the menu is “PC and devices”, then it is likely that your Windows 8.1 is activated.

5. How to check whether Windows is activated, using the Command Prompt or PowerShell (all Windows versions)

Another method that works in all modern versions of Windows is to check whether your Windows is activated from the Command Prompt or PowerShell. Launch the Command Prompt or PowerShell and type the command “slmgr /xpr.” Press Enter and you should see a prompt saying whether your Windows machine is activated or not. Click or tap OK, and you are done.

If you want to know more about the slmgr command-line tool and how it works, type this command without any parameters in Command Prompt or Powershell. Several prompts are shown, with information about all the parameters that can be used and what they do.

You can also read the documentation from Microsoft: Slmgr.vbs Options for Volume Activation.

How to check whether your Windows is genuine

Activation is a process that is built into Windows. It helps to verify that your copy of Windows is genuine. When your Windows is genuine, you are eligible to receive all product updates and product support from Microsoft. If it is not genuine, you still get security updates but not much else. Also, you are regularly asked to activate your copy of Windows, by providing a genuine product key.

The activation checks are regularly made by Windows. The first time it takes place is when you install Windows or when you first use a newly purchased PC or device with Windows. Another time an activation check is made is when you attempt to download optional updates from Microsoft. Significant hardware changes inside your computer can also trigger automatic activation checks.

Pirated versions of Windows may initially be activated and start working without issues but, after a few weeks of use, it is likely that Microsoft’s activation checks identify this problem and you are going to be asked to activate your copy of Windows by providing a valid product key. Therefore, it is safe to assume that, if your Windows is activated, most probably it is also genuine.

However, even if your Windows is activated, you cannot be 100% sure that it is also genuine unless you get it from a trusted source. To educate users and make sure that they are not scammed into purchasing non-genuine hardware and software, Microsoft has created a portal with information on this topic. Check it out and learn how to make sure that you always buy genuine software and hardware.

How to find the Windows product key

If your Windows is activated, everything is well and working. At this step, you may also want to know your product key, so that you can write it down somewhere and reuse it, in case you need it in the future. For this task, you can use a free third-party app like the ones we recommend in this article: 6 free apps that help you find your lost Windows product key.

Is your copy of Windows activated? Is it genuine?

Now that you have read our guide let us know what you have found: is your Windows installation activated? Is it genuine? Use the comments section below to share your experience.

How to Check If Windows 10 Is Genuine or Not? Best Ways [MiniTool News]

By Vera | Follow | Last Updated December 31, 2020

Summary :

Have you ever checked whether you are using the genuine or pirated version of Windows 10 operating system? If not, you can read this post to learn how to check if Windows 10 is genuine or not. Besides, some differences between genuine and cracked version will be told to you.

Now, Windows 10 operating system is on more than 700 million devices since this OS comes with a number of amazing features and upgrades. However, not all of these users use the genuine Windows 10 and most of them use the pirated version that is not secure and doesn’t offer amazing features like the genuine version.

Do you know which version that you are using? Let’s go to check if Windows 10 is genuine.

How to Check Windows Is Genuine or Cracked

Way 1: Use slmgr.vbs /dli Command

Generally, you will check for products ID and license status of the operating system by right-clicking on This PC and choosing Properties.

In the pop-up window, you will see information about Windows 10 such as Windows edition, RAM, computer name, processor type, etc. Scroll down and then you can see if Windows 10 is activated in the Windows activation section. If so, the product ID is given.

But there is one thing you should note. Whether Windows 10 is genuine or activated, the status looks like the same in the system properties window. So, how to check if Windows 10 is original or not? How to check genuine Windows 10? You can use Command Prompt to validate Windows 10.

Step 1: Click Windows logo and R key on the keyboard in Windows 10 to open the Run dialog.

Step 2: Type slmgr.vbs /dli and press Enter key to display license information. Here slmgr stands for Software License Manager and the .vbs means Visual Basic Script.

In the pop-up window, if you see volume activation expiration, renewal interval and these types of information, you should know your Windows 10 is activated using activator software and it is cracked.

Windows 7 build 7600 or 7601 this copy of Windows is not genuine appears? Now try 4 helpful methods to permanently fix Windows 7 not genuine.

However, if only partial product key and license status are displayed, but there is no expiration time or anything else, you should understand that the Windows operating system is genuine.

Way 2: Check If Windows 10 Is Genuine via Settings

In addition, you can perform Windows genuine validation via Settings. Just go to the Start menu, click Settings, then click Update & security. Then, navigate to the Activation section to see if the OS is activated. If yes, and it shows «Windows is activated with a digital license «, your Windows 10 is genuine.

Differences between Genuine and Cracked Version of Windows 10

There are some differences between the genuine and pirated version, but normally you don’t notice them.

As to the pirated or cracked version, it usually comes with malware, spyware, ransomware and much more. When installing, you will never find anything wrong. But once you start to use it, you can see some changes and initially your files. More seriously, your important data and files will be secretly transferred to hackers without any permission from you.

Besides, the cracked Windows 10 will be slow after the usage of some months. Even you aren’t able to do any work but must reinstall Windows 10 again.

However, for genuine Windows 10, it can run very well and it is quite safe to prevent from virus or ransomware. Thus, you had better get a genuine Windows 10 for a better experience.

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Linkedin
• Reddit

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Position: Columnist

Vera is an editor of the MiniTool Team since 2016 who has more than 5 years’ writing experiences in the field of technical articles. Her articles mainly focus on disk & partition management, PC data recovery, video conversion, as well as PC backup & restore, helping users to solve some errors and issues when using their computers. In her spare times, she likes shopping, playing games and reading some articles.

Find your Windows product key

A Windows product key is a 25-character code used to activate Windows. It looks like this:

PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Locate your product key for Windows 10

Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10, you’ll need either a 25-character product key or a digital license to activate it. A digital license (called a digital entitlement in Windows 10, Version 1511) is a method of activation in Windows 10 that doesn’t require you to enter a product key. Without one of these, you won’t be able to activate your device.

Where to find your product key depends on how you got your copy of Windows.

Select any of the following to see more information:

The product key is preinstalled on your PC, included with the packaging the PC came in, or included on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to the PC. For more info, contact your hardware manufacturer, and for pictures of authentic product keys and COA labels, see How to tell your hardware is genuine.

The product key is on a label or card inside the box that Windows came in. For more info, contact the retailer that sold you Windows 10. How to tell your software is genuine.

Find your product key in the confirmation email you received after buying Windows 10 or in a digital locker accessible through the retailer’s website.

The product key is in the confirmation email you received after buying your digital copy of Windows. Microsoft only keeps a record of product keys if you purchased from the Microsoft online store. You can find out if you purchased from Microsoft in your Microsoft account Order history.

If you upgraded to Windows 10 for free from Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, you should have a digital license instead of a product key.

If you bought Windows 10 Home, Professional, or Upgrade to Pro in the Windows 10 Store app, you’ll receive a digital license instead of a product key. You can use the digital license for activation.

If your product key is scratched, blurred, or otherwise unusable, contact the retailer who sold you the product. If you aren’t able to get help from your retailer or have already tried and couldn’t get a working key, call Microsoft Support.

For more information about digital licenses and product keys in Windows 10, see the “Methods of Activation” section in Activate Windows 10.

Locate your product key for Windows 7 or Windows 8.1

A product key is usually required when uninstalling or reinstalling Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. Generally, if you bought a physical copy of Windows, the product key should be on a label or card inside the box that Windows came in. If Windows came preinstalled on your PC, the product key should appear on a sticker on your device. If you’ve lost or can’t find the product key, contact the manufacturer. To ensure your product key is genuine, see How to tell your software is genuine and How to tell your hardware is genuine.

Related links

For info about how to tell if your copy of Windows is genuine Microsoft software, see the How to tell page.

For more Windows 10 download info, see Download Windows 10.

If you need installation media to install or reinstall Windows, see Create installation media for Windows to learn how to create your own installation media using either a USB flash drive or a DVD.

If you need more help with activation, see Activate Windows 10.

If you’re getting an activation error, see Get help with Windows activation errors.

If you’re reinstalling Windows 10, you might not need a Windows product key. See Activation in Windows 10 for more info.

If you’re reinstalling Windows 10 due to a motherboard problem or some other hardware issue, see Reactivating Windows 10 after a hardware change.

If you’re looking for product keys for Office, apps, games, and more, see Find your Microsoft downloads and product keys