To prevent pirated Windows OS installations and ensure adherence to software license terms and conditions, Microsoft introduced a Windows Activation process whereby legitimate users can verify that they are indeed using a genuine copy of the applicable operating system (Windows 10 or 11, for example).
In most cases, when one purchases a new Windows device, the activation is taken care of via the manufacturer; however, it’s still good to know if that’s actually true and how to check it.
Step-by-Step Instructions on Checking if Windows 11 Is Activated
Authenticating an original copy of the Windows 11 OS is straightforward. In a matter of a few clicks, any user can find out their “Activation” state. To do so, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Open the Main Settings in Windows 11
As your first step, navigate to the main settings in Windows 11. If you do not have a direct way to go there, simply search for “Settings” in your Windows start, and open the app with the same name.
Step 2: Click on the “Activation” Card From the Right Panel
Once you land on the main Settings app, divert your attention to the right side, and look for a card titled “Activation.” When you find it, click on it to head over to the Activation settings.
Step 3: For the “Activation State,” Look for an Active Sign With a Green Tick Mark
If your Windows 11 has been activated, your system should support that by displaying a green tick mark adjacent to the message that says “Active.” All of this information is available under the “Activation state” section.
Lastly, click on the associated dropdown arrow to get more details on how your activation has taken place — as there are a couple of methodologies.
Take a look at the image below for visual reference.
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Popular Questions Surrounding Windows 11 Activation, Upgrade, and Storage
Not activating Windows 11 will not lead to the OS being inoperable. However, a variety of annoyances will occur, which will honestly take out all the fun of using this beautiful OS. The top-most aggravating issues are: not being able to personalize the OS to your taste and constant notifications & messages around activating Windows.
Yes. Although, Microsoft advises that this only applies to systems running the latest version of Windows 10 and that they meet the hardware requirements.
Microsoft clearly states that one will require at least 64 GB of storage and be prepared for additional storage if one wants to install specific features and updates.
Knowing if Windows 11 Is Activated
As demonstrated in this post, it is uncomplicated to check if Windows 11 is activated. To recap:
- Go to settings.
- Then, navigate to the “Activation” center/card.
- Finally, look for a sign/message that says “Active” under the Activate state section. An accompanying green tick mark will further corroborate this.