Extract your key from Microsoft Windows or Office That said, major upgrades like swapping out your motherboard are almost certainly guaranteed to require a call to Microsoft for activation. You will also have a digital entitlement if you paid for a Windows 10 upgrade via the Windows Store, or did a fresh install of Windows 10 and then paid for it via the Windows Store.

With Windows 10 Microsoft introduced a new method for authenticating the operating system called a digital entitlement, but it doesn’t apply to all Windows 10 PCs.īasically, you have a digital entitlement if you upgraded your PC from Windows 7 or 8.1 for free. If all else fails, you will need to contact Microsoft to obtain a replacement key. For Microsoft Office, you can find the sticker on the installation disc that accompanied the computer.

If your computer came preloaded with Microsoft Windows, the software product key is usually on a multicolored, Microsoft-branded sticker on your PC case.

The key consists of 25 alphanumeric characters, usually split into groups of five. Retail Microsoft product keys are usually on a bright sticker located inside the case with the CD/DVD, or on the back. If you bought a retail copy of Microsoft Windows or Office, the first place to look is in the disc jewel case.

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