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Select the Start button, then select Settings > System > Activation. Prepare your Windows 11 device for a hardware changeįirst, follow these steps to find out if Windows 11 is already activated.
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Then, use the following info to help you successfully prepare for a hardware change and reactivate Windows. To find out which you need, see "What activation method do I use, product key or digital license?" in Activate Windows. To activate Windows, you'll need either a digital license or a product key. If you make significant hardware changes on your device, such as replacing your motherboard, Windows will no longer find a license that matches your device, and you’ll need to reactivate Windows to get it up and running. When installing Windows 11, the digital license associates itself with your device's hardware.
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Activation helps verify that your copy of Windows is genuine and hasn’t been used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow.
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