Activating your new software
If you bought your software in a box from a retailer, then you will need to activate it. This is to check that your software is legally licensed and to protect you against the risks of using
counterfeit software.
Why should I activate?
Once you have activated your software, you'll get free security and other updates from Microsoft.
How do I activate?
You can activate your software online, or you can call a customer service representative on 0870 60 10 100. Any details you need will be part of the packaging or the PC. You will need to tell us your software's product key so we can check that it hasn't been used on more PCs than your licence agreement allows.
We recommend that you activate immediately after installation.
Read further articles and a step-by-step guide to activating your software >
If your software came pre-installed on a PC, you may also need to activate it. However, some pre-installed software will already have been activated by the manufacturer.
If you use Volume Licensing, you don't need to physically activate the software on your individual PCs. Instead, you get Volume Licensing CDs which you install with companywide Volume Licence Keys (VLKs).
Activation is an important part of the deployment process. Visit the Desktop Deployment Centre for more resources on deploying desktop software in your company.
