how to activate windows 8?

To install an upgrade version of Windows 8, you must already have Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP installed on your PC.

If you formatted the drive before the upgrade version of Windows 8 was installed, you won't be able to use your upgrade product key to activate Windows 8. To activate Windows 8, you'll need to install your previous version of Windows, and then reinstall Windows 8. For help with the activation process, contact support.

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How To Activate Windows 8

Windows Product Activation (WPA) sends an installation ID number to Microsoft before Windows is verified and then activated.

One is an Installation ID, generated by entering a Windows 8 product key, that the computer owner submits to Microsoft, either over the Internet or by phone.

The second is a Confirmation ID, assigned by Microsoft, which is used to activate the operating system’s software.

Activate Windows 8 Using Internet

The easiest way to activate your Windows 8 is to activate it over the Internet. To start the Product Activation Wizard, follow these steps:

1. At the Start screen, swipe in from the right side, or hover your mouse in the upper-right corner of the screen to display the charms menu.

2. Tap or click the Settings charm.

3. Tap or click Change PC Settings.

4. Select Activate Windows (If your Windows is activated successfully, you will not see Activate Windows in the PC Settings)

5. Tap or Click Activate.

6. Enter Product Key.

The product key should be printed on the box that the Windows 8 DVD came in or included in an email you received after buying Windows.

7. Windows will now automatically detects whether the product key is valid. If your product key works, click Activate .

8. If Windows Activation is successful, click Close.

If activation was not successful, check the key and try entering it again.

Activate Windows 8 Using Phone

If your are unable to activate Windows 8 over the Internet then you can contact Microsoft by phone to activate the product. You do not need Internet connection to activate Windows 8 over phone.

To start the Product Activation Wizard, follow these steps:

1. At the Start screen, swipe in from the right side, or hover your mouse in the upper-right corner of the screen to display the charms menu.

2. Tap or click the Settings charm.

3. Tap or click Change PC Settings.

4. Select Activate Windows

5. Tap or click Activate by phone.

6. Select the country/region from the drop down menu, and then click Next .

7. Call the toll free number provided.

8. Follow the instructions from the telephone system and write down the confirmation ID.

9. Enter the confirmation ID numbers into fields A through H, in the same sequence as the telephone system provided them. When done, click Activate .

If product activation was successful, a success screen is shown and you are done.

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First, right click the left hand corner of your Windows 8 screen:

Scroll down to Windows activation:

Click ‘View details in Windows Activation’

Click Activate

Wait while Windows 8 activates.

And that’s it!

Click OK and start enjoying Windows 8.