All HP computers shipped with Windows 11 activate automatically when connected to the internet. If you install a different version of Windows 11, the system might need to reactivate Windows. There might also be situations when Windows requires reactivation even though the product has already been activated.
The edition of Windows 11 can be changed by inputting a new digital license of product key. For example, you can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro from Windows 11 Home. The digital license or product key can be obtained by purchasing an operating system or computer that includes an operating system from a store or online. When the new digital license or product key is entered, the system reactivates using that digital license or product key.
Windows activation terminology
The following list explains the terminology that is used during the activation process.
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Digital license: A method to activate Windows 11 that does not require you to enter a product key. The digital license is provided by Microsoft and injected into the system BIOS. This can also be called a digital entitlement.
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Product key: A unique 25-character code used to activate Windows. The key is manually typed into the operating system and Windows 11 activates via the internet by validating the product key.
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End-User License Agreement (EULA): The agreement that you must accept to use the product.
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Certificate of Authenticity (COA): An identification method to help prove that a Windows product is not counterfeit or copied. The COA is often in the form of a label that contains a bar code and product key. Systems shipped with a digital license do not have a COA label.
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Genuine Microsoft Label (GML): A label on computers with Windows 11 installed from the factory. The GML indicates that the system was shipped with a genuine copy of Windows 11, because the system does not have a COA label.
Windows 11 activation
Windows 11 can only be activated by connecting to the internet (except for volume-license versions of Windows 11). Windows 11 cannot be activated over the phone.
If a system has a digital license that was injected into the system BIOS during the manufacturing process, Windows 11 uses that key to activate Windows 11 on that specific system. Activation is automatic when connected to the internet. All HP systems sold with Windows 11 include a digital license in the BIOS.
If the system does not have a digital license in the BIOS, a product key can be entered manually. Windows 11 uses that product key to activate. Activation is automatic when connected to the internet, if the user has already typed in the product key.
Digital licenses and product keys are unique and can only be used to activate one system.
If the system cannot be connected to the internet and activated, the system is in the 'Deferred Activation' state. Windows 11 can be used normally while in Deferred Activation. No message is displayed on the desktop indicating that Windows is not activated.
On rare occasions, it is possible to connect a system with a valid digital license or product key to the internet, but not activate Windows. By connecting to the internet, Windows exits the Deferred Activation state and expects to be activated. The system then displays a light grey message in the lower-right corner of the desktop stating that Windows is not activated. Also, various personalization features are turned off. For example, the user cannot change the desktop background. The easiest fix is to connect the system to the internet, ensure that it has access to Microsoft, and wait for the system to complete the activation process.
If the system does not have a valid digital license or product key, Windows 11 cannot be activated on the system.
| Valid digital license or product key | Connected to the internet | Activation |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | Automatic |
| Yes | No | Deferred Activation Not activated, but fully functional |
| Yes | Yes, but not activated | Not activated Not activated and message on desktop Personalization features are blocked. |
| No | Yes | Not activated Not activated and message on desktop Personalization features are blocked. |
| No | No | Deferred Activation Not activated, but fully functional |
Entering a Windows 11 product key
A Windows 11 product key with included in physical and digital copies of the Windows 11 operating system sold by authorized retailers (including the Microsoft Store) and select new or refurbished devices. This product key can be used to activate Windows.
Windows 11 can be installed on the system without a digital license or product key, but the system cannot be activated without a digital license or product key. Windows 11 displays a light grey message in the lower-right corner of the desktop stating that Windows is not activated.
To activate Windows, a valid Windows 11 license must be purchased. The 25-character product key can be entered manually during installation of the OS or after Windows 11 is installed.
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To open the System window, simultaneously press the Windows key + i.
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Click Activation.
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Next to Change product key, click Change.
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Type the 25-character product key into the Product key field, and then click Next.
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If you purchased a Windows 11 retail kit, you can locate the product key on the Windows 11 Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label. Apply the Windows 11 COA label to your computer for easy reference in the future.
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If you bought Windows 11 over the internet, the product number might have been included in an email you received after purchasing and downloading Windows 11.
Windows automatically detects whether the product key is valid.
If a User Account Control message appears, type your password or provide confirmation.
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Follow the on-screen instructions to complete activation.
Reasons Windows 11 might need to be activated again
If your computer came with Windows 11, the following conditions might cause Windows to require activation through Microsoft.
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Upgrading your version of Windows; for example, going from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro.
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Reinstalling Windows 11 from Microsoft or HP supplied recovery media.
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Installing certain device drivers and software.
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Uninstalling certain operating system software or files.
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Replacing a hardware component, such as the system board.
Activate Windows after reinstalling Windows 11
Occasionally, you might need to reinstall Windows 11.
If the system has a digital license, the fresh copy of Windows 11 activates automatically when connected to the internet. Before you reinstall Windows 11, be sure to associate your Microsoft account to your digital license to prevent any activation issues.
If the system was activated using a 25-character product key typed manually into the system, you must type the product key into the system again.
Confirm that Windows 11 was activated
Verify that Windows activation was successful.
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To open the System window, simultaneously press the Windows key + i.
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Click Activation.
The activation status is listed next to Activation state.
Troubleshoot Windows 11 activation errors
If an error message is displayed while you are attempting to activate Windows, contact Microsoft to get support. Before contacting Microsoft, locate your product ID in the System properties.
To open the System window, simultaneously press the Windows key + i. Then, click About.
For more information about Windows activation, go to the following websites:
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Activate Windows (in English)
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Using the Activation troubleshooter (in English)
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Get help with Windows activation errors (in English)