How to Activate Windows 11 with a Product Key (Step by Step)

Activating Windows 11 takes about two minutes. Here is exactly how to do it with your product key.

Before you start

• Have your 25-character product key ready (format XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX). KeyForPC customers find it under My Licence Keys.
• Make sure the installed edition matches your key — a Pro key needs Windows 11 Pro (or use it to upgrade Home to Pro).
• Connect to the internet.

Method 1: Settings (recommended)

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to System → Activation.
3. Click Change product key (next to "Change product key" / "Upgrade your edition of Windows").
4. Paste your key and click Next → Activate.
5. You will see "Windows is activated". Done!

Method 2: Command Prompt

1. Search for cmd, right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
2. Type slmgr /ipk YOUR-PRODUCT-KEY and press Enter.
3. Type slmgr /ato and press Enter to activate.

How to check if Windows is activated

Open Settings → System → Activation, or run slmgr /xpr in Command Prompt.

Activation failed?

See our guide to fixing Windows activation errors (0xC004F050, 0xC004C003, 0x803F7001 and more), or ask our support team — activation help is free for our customers.

Need a key? Windows 11 Pro · Windows 11 Home