How to Activate Windows 8.1 for Free

When you initial acquire Windows eight.1 you'll to activate it among a particular fundamental quantity for you to continue mistreatment it. Activating the program is easy, with the directions and activation key already enclosed within the installer's package. If you somehow lose the activation key but, there ar other ways to activate the software.

Part 1 of 2: Recovering a Lost Key

 

1  Download a key retrieval program. Your Windows Product key's buried within the register, however it are often simply extracted by employing a free key retrieval program. 2 of the foremost in style choices area unit ProductKey and Key Finder.

• Both of these programs area unit free and will be downloaded from the developers' websites. each supply paid versions, however your Windows key are often retrieved with the free version.

 

2  Start the key retrieval program. You typically will not need to install the program. Simply run it and a list of available keys will be displayed. Find the "Windows" entry to find your key.

 

3  Write the key down or copy it. Your key will be listed as "Product Key" or "CD Key". The WindowsProduct Key is 25 characters split into five groups of five characters each.

Part 2 of 2: Activating Windows 8.1

 1  Open the Activation window. Open the Activation window by pressing ⌘ Win+R and typing slui 3. Press ↵ Enter to open the window.

 

2  Enter your product key. Enter the key that you either recovered, received with your Windows purchase, or is affixed to your computer on a sticker. You do not need to type the dashes, as they will be added automatically. Windows will automatically attempt to activate as soon as the key is entered.

3  Try the Command Prompt. If the steps above don't work, you can try to enter the key through an elevated Command Prompt. Press ⌘ Win+X and select "Command Prompt (Admin)".

• Type slmgr.vbs /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX and press ↵ Enter, replacing the XXXXXs with your product key. Be sure to include the dashes. A window should appear saying "Installed product key XXXXX successfully."

 

• Type slmgr.vbs /ato and press ↵ Enter. A window should appear saying "Activating Windows(R) Your Edition". After a moment, if activation was successful, it will say "Product activated successfully".

       

4  Call Microsoft if you still can't activate. If you are still having activation issues, you can call the Microsoft automated activation service. To find the number for your area, press ⌘ Win+R and type slui 4. This will open the window with the contact information as well as your installation ID.

• Make sure to copy down the installation ID, as you will need to enter it over the phone. It's long, but necessary to identify your computer.[1]

Tips

• Product keys are already included in the Windows 8.1 package. If you already have yours, you don't need to install one using the command prompt.

• Product keys can only be used on a limited number of computers. If you've reached the maximum number of computers, the key will be detected invalid.

• This article is written only for tutorial purposes. Always purchase and activate genuine Windows 8.1 OS to avoid software issues.