Quick start: Activation FAQ

Activation, also known as Microsoft Product Activation or Windows Product Activation, is an anti-piracy technology designed to verify that Microsoft software products are legitimately licensed. Activation works by verifying that the product key—the 25-character code located on your Certificate of Authenticity (usually affixed to your computer) or proof of license label (usually affixed to the installation disc case)—is authentic and is not in use on more personal computers than are permitted by the software license.

Yes. However, the Microsoft Software License Terms allow you to use Windows without activating for a 30 day grace period. Before the grace period expires, you will receive reminders to activate Windows.

The information collected during activation will not be used to contact you. Read the Windows privacy statement on the Microsoft website.

In Windows Vista SP1 or SP2, once the grace period expires, you will begin receiving notifications reminding you to activate your copy of Windows. Should you choose to log on without activating, there will be a 15-second delay before you can log in and you will be reminded again to activate every time you log on to your computer.

Furthermore, once you are logged in, you will notice that your desktop wallpaper has been changed to a black background. You will also receive periodic notifications reminding you to activate your copy of Windows. If you're running a non-genuine copy of Windows Vista, you will receive periodic notifications that read, "This copy of Windows is not genuine." Clicking on that notification will provide you with information and options on how to resolve the issue.

If you have Windows Vista without SP1 or SP2 and don't activate Windows Vista within the grace period, Windows can only be used in reduced functionality mode (RFM). In this mode, there is no start menu, no desktop icons, and the desktop background is changed to black. The web browser will function and Internet connectivity will not be blocked. After one hour the system will log you out without warning. However, the system will not be shut down, and you can log back in right away. Even with reduced functionality, you will have full access to personal data stored on your computer.

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 includes all Windows Vista updates Microsoft has issued since SP1, plus support for new types of hardware and emerging hardware standards. Learn more about how to update your Windows Vista-based PC.

The Windows Vista activation process may vary based on how you acquired Windows Vista.

• If you acquired Windows Vista via retail purchase (boxed product) or pre-installed on a computer from a local computer vendor, you will be responsible for activating Windows Vista. After Windows Vista has been installed, activation will automatically begin three days after you log on for the first time, unless you opt out during installation. If the device is connected to the Internet, the software may automatically connect to Microsoft for activation. You can also activate the software manually by Internet or telephone.

• If you acquired Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer from a major manufacturer (sometimes referred to as an Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM), Windows Vista will have been activated during the manufacturing process. No additional actions are required. (This does not include Windows Vista obtained from the Windows Vista Express program.)

• If you acquired Windows Vista via a volume license upgrade, visit the Windows Vista Volume Activation page.

The frequency of activation requests will vary depending on how you choose to proceed.

• If you do not opt out of automatic activation during the installation process, Windows begins to attempt activation three days after you log on for the first time. It attempts to activate every four hours until it succeeds.

• If you opted out of automatic activation during the installation process, Windows begins to notify you that activation is required once per day, beginning three days after you log on for the first time.

• If Windows has not been activated by the 28th day after installation, Windows will stop trying to automatically activate (if enabled). Windows will notify you once per day that activation is required until one day of the grace period remains.

• If Windows has not been activated by the last day of the grace period, you will be prompted every four hours to activate.

• If you acquired Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer from a major manufacturer (sometimes referred to as an Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM), Windows Vista will have been activated during the manufacturing process. No additional actions are required. (This does not include Windows Vista obtained from the Windows Vista Express program.)

• If you acquired Windows Vista via a volume license upgrade, please visit the Windows Vista Volume Activation page.

Yes. The telephone number varies by location and is provided during the activation process.

You might have to activate Windows again in a number of instances, such as:

• You uninstall Windows on one computer and install it on another. (This applies only to Windows Vista acquired via a retail purchase or through volume licensing.) During installation, enter the product key that came with your copy of Windows. If automatic activation fails, follow the instructions that walk you through activating Windows by phone. You will have 30 days to activate your copy of Windows.

  Note: If you acquired Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer, Windows Vista cannot be moved to another computer.

• You upgrade your edition of Windows. Upon completion of the upgrade, Windows will attempt to follow the same activation process as it did during the initial installation of Windows.

• You make a significant hardware change to your computer, such as upgrading the hard disk drive and memory at the same time or replacing the motherboard in your OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) computer. If a major hardware change requires activating Windows again, you will be notified and will have three days to activate your copy of Windows.

• You reformat your hard disk drive. Reformatting erases your activation status. In this case, you'll have 30 days to activate Windows again.

• A virus infects your computer and corrupts your activation status.

No, this balloon is a part of the standard Windows activation experience. This balloon appears when Windows attempts to activate. When activation is successful, Windows will briefly display a balloon with the message, "Activation was successful."

To check your Windows activation status at any time:

1. Click the Start button, click Control Panel, click System and Maintenance, and then click System.

2. Under Windows activation, you can view your activation status. You can also change your product key by clicking Change product key.

The number of computers on which you can install Windows Vista depends on the software license. For example:

• If you acquire Windows Vista via retail purchase (boxed product), it may only be installed on one computer at a time. You may choose to uninstall Windows Vista from the initial computer and install it on another computer. You will then be required to re-activate that copy of Windows on the new computer.

• If you acquire Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer, it may only be used on that computer.

• If you acquire Windows Vista via a volume license, visit the Windows Vista Volume Activation page.

Microsoft Volume Licensing offers customized programs that are designed to meet the needs of businesses. Tailored to the size and purchasing preference of different companies, these programs provide simple, flexible, and affordable solutions that enable them to easily manage multiple licenses.

Activation is a required process by which Microsoft determines whether or not your product key is being properly used based upon the software license associated with it. Validation is a process of confirming that a copy of Windows Vista has been properly activated. Failing validation may require re-activation.

The location of your product key is determined by the way you acquired Windows Vista.

• If you acquired Windows Vista via retail purchase, you can find your product key on the proof of license label affixed to the installation disc holder inside the Windows package.

• If you acquired Windows Vista via a computer manufacturer, you can find your product key on the Certificate of Authenticity, usually affixed to your computer.

Yes, each edition of Windows Vista offers the ability to format the hard disk drive of the system prior to installation. However, installation of an upgrade cannot be completed as a clean installation. For more information about installing and reinstalling Windows, visit http://windowshelp.microsoft.com.

You can reinstall Windows on the same computer as many times as you want because activation pairs the Windows product key with information about your computer's hardware. If you make a significant hardware change, you might have to activate Windows again.

The Windows Vista re-activation process may vary based on how you acquired Windows Vista. For example:

• If you acquired Windows Vista via retail purchase (boxed product) or pre-installed on a computer from a local computer vendor, Windows Vista will require re-activation if you, for example:

  • Replace the hard disk drive and memory at the same time.

  • Replace the motherboard.

• If you acquired Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer from a major manufacturer (sometimes referred to as an Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM), Windows Vista will require re-activation if you replace the motherboard with a motherboard not provided by the OEM.

• If you acquired Windows Vista via a volume license upgrade visit the Windows Vista Volume Activation page.

Hardware changes that do not invoke the Windows Vista re-activation process may vary based on how you acquired Windows Vista. For example:

• If you acquired Windows Vista via retail purchase (boxed product) or pre-installed on a computer from a local computer vendor, Windows Vista will not require re-activation if you, for example:

  • Replace the hard disk drive only.

  • Replace the video card and add system memory at the same time.

• If you acquired Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer from a major manufacturer (sometimes referred to as an Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM), Windows Vista will require re-activation if you replace the motherboard with a motherboard not provided by the OEM.

• If you acquired Windows Vista via a volume license upgrade visit the Windows Vista Volume Activation page.

Windows Vista uses an algorithm to determine when changes to hardware are significant enough in nature to require re-activation. The algorithm used by Windows Vista is more flexible than that used by Windows XP, but each component change has an impact and adds up until you reach a pre-determined limit.

Windows can be activated any number of times, but your re-activation experience will vary based on the way you acquired Windows.

• If you acquired Windows Vista via retail purchase (boxed product), you may activate via the Internet the first five times. Subsequent activations are allowed but must be completed via telephone.

• If you acquire Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer, re-installation would not require additional activation steps unless significant hardware changes were made.

Most users will find that Windows Vista activation is similar to activation in Windows XP, but easier. Some highlights of the improvements made for Windows Vista activation include:

• Windows Vista activation is more flexible in accommodating hardware changes without requiring re-activation.

• Windows Vista activation has improved accuracy, resulting in better protection of the product.

• Windows Vista activation has improved anti-tampering technology.