To activate Windows on a computer that was previously working, you can follow these steps:
- Check Activation Status: First, check if your Windows is already activated. You can do this by going to Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
- Use a Generic Volume License Key (GVLK): If your computer is configured with a GVLK, it should automatically activate when connected to a network with a Key Management Service (KMS) or Active Directory-based activation.
- Manual Activation: If automatic activation does not occur, you can try to activate Windows manually:
- If your computer is part of a domain, it will request a volume activation object from the domain controller.
- If not, it will try to contact a KMS server. If neither is available, you may need to use a Multiple Activation Key (MAK) to activate.
- Troubleshooting: If you encounter issues, ensure that your system has a valid product key and that there are no network issues preventing activation. You can also refer to the Windows activation troubleshooting guide for more detailed steps.
If the activation fails, it may be necessary to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.