Activation instructions: Windows 10

To activate, take these steps:

Before you start

  • Have your Windows 10 Professional product key ready. It’s in the email we sent you.
  • Make sure your PC is connected to the internet. Windows activates online.
  • Your licence is for 1 PC.
  • Pick the option below that matches your PC.

Option 1: Upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro (most common)

Your files and apps stay exactly where they are. Nothing needs to be reinstalled.

  1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
  2. Click Change product key.
  3. Enter your 25-character product key and click Next, then Start upgrade or Activate.
  4. Windows updates to Pro and may restart once. Leave it to finish.

Option 2: Activate Windows 10 Pro that’s already installed

  1. Open Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
  2. Click Change product key.
  3. Enter your product key and click Next, then Activate.

Option 3: Clean installation

  1. Download Windows 10 from Microsoft: microsoft.com/software-download/windows10. The Media Creation Tool there can make a bootable USB drive (8 GB or larger).
  2. Start your PC from the USB drive and follow the setup steps.
  3. When asked for a product key, enter yours. If you skip this step, choose Windows 10 Pro when asked which edition to install, and enter the key afterwards under Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
  4. Once setup finishes and you’re online, Windows activates automatically.

Check that it worked

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation. It should show Windows 10 Pro and Windows is activated.

Having trouble?

  • The key isn’t accepted: check it was typed exactly as in your email, and that you’re installing Windows 10 Pro rather than Home.
  • Still having trouble? Email us at support@digitalloot.co.za with your order number and a screenshot of any error message, and we’ll help you get it working. If we confirm the key is faulty, we’ll replace it, or refund you if we can’t.