How to Activate Windows 7

Activating Windows 7 is different than registering Windows 7. When you register, you let Windows know you exist so they can add you to their roster. When you activate Windows 7, you verify that the copy you have is legal. In other words, you punch in a key code that lets Windows know that you purchased a legal copy rather than getting a pirated copy. It's necessary to activate because if you don't, you won't have access to all of the Windows features after thirty days.

You can activate two ways. The first is to do it by phone. However, since most people have Internet connections, the second way is much easier and doesn't require patience when dealing with the automated phone service. So long as your computer is connected to the Internet, you'll be able to activate Windows in a few seconds. All you need to have on hand is your product key.

The first step is to click the Start button (or Windows button) depending on what you refer to it as. Then click on Computer. This will open up the folder that has your different hard drives listed. At the top, it'll say System Properties. Click that button. It's on the same bar as the organize button, the views button, the install new programs button and the network drives button.

When you click that, it'll take you to a page that has information on what operating system you have. In this case, you've got Windows 7. It'll tell you what type of Windows 7 and what service pack. It'll give you a link to upgrade if you haven't already. It'll include information about the hardware in your computer. However, what you want is all the way at the bottom, so scroll down.

In a section titled "Windows Activation," it'll ask you to activate and choose how you want to activate. If you want to do it by phone, select that method. If you want to do it on the computer, select that method. It'll then ask you for an administrator's password if you set one up. Punch that in so that you can then type in the product key. Make sure that the key is punched in exactly the way it appears, along with proper capital letters. Hit enter.

If you've lost your product key, you can contact Windows to get a new one for a fee. Therefore, it is important to always keep your product keys in a safe place because if you need to reinstall Windows, you might be prompted to activate it once again.