This article shows you how to temporarily disable the appearance of the notification message about Windows activation and how to remove the icon that identifies a version of Windows that is not yet activated. This can be achieved by using the "Services" window or by editing the Windows registry. However, it should be remembered that the only method that guarantees the permanent removal of the Windows activation notification message is to activate your own copy of the operating system manufactured by Microsoft.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using the "Services" Window
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. This will display the "Start" menu.
Step 2. Type the keyword services in the menu that appears
This will search the computer for the "Services" program. This tool allows you to control and manage all system processes.
Step 3. Click the Services icon
It features a gear logo and is displayed at the top of the "Start" menu. The "Services" system window will be displayed.
Step 4. Scroll through the list of all services present to locate and select the Software Protection item
The list is in alphabetical order, so the service indicated will be visible in the section relating to the letter "P".
In some cases the "Services" icon will appear named as sppsvc.
Step 5. Press the "Properties" button
It features a folder icon and is located in the upper left of the window, under the "View" menu. A new dialog will appear.
Step 6. Press the Stop button
It is located in the central left part of the window. This will stop the "Software Protection" service from running.
If the "Abort" button is grayed out, so it is not selectable, you will need to change the registry configuration
Step 7. Press the OK button
It is located in the lower right part of the window. Windows activation notifications will no longer be shown until the next computer restart or update. When this happens you will simply have to repeat the procedure described in this section of the article.
Method 2 of 3: Use Registry Editor
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 2. Type the keyword regedit into the "Start" menu
Registry Editor will search your computer.
Step 3. Click the regedit icon
It features a blue cube and will be shown at the top of the "Start" menu.
Step 4. When prompted, press the Yes button
The Registry Editor window will appear.
Step 5. Expand the folder named "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE"
Click the following icon
located on the left side of the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" folder displayed in the upper left of the screen.
If an indented list of items is displayed under the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" folder: this means that the relevant menu node is already expanded
Step 6. Expand the "SYSTEM" folder
It is one of the last folders in the root "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" directory.
Step 7. Select the "CurrentControlSet" key
Step 8. Now expand the "Services" folder
This will display a long list of other folders.
Step 9. Scroll through the list to locate and select the "sppsvc" item
The contents of the chosen folder will be shown in the right pane of the registry editor window.
Step 10. Select the "Start" key
It is displayed in the final part of the list showing the contents of the "sppsvc" folder located in the right part of the window.
Step 11. Access the Edit menu
It is located in the upper left of the Registry Editor window. A small drop-down menu will appear.
Step 12. Choose the Edit… option
It should be the first menu item that appears. A small dialog box will appear.
Step 13. Type 4 into the "Value data" text field of the new window that appears
This is the value used to disable notifications related to Windows activation.
Step 14. Press the OK button
It is located in the lower right part of the window. Windows activation notifications will no longer be shown until the next computer restart or update. When this happens you will simply have to repeat the procedure described in this section of the article.
Method 3 of 3: Activate Windows
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 2. Select the "Settings" item by clicking the icon
It features a gear logo and is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu.
Step 3. Click the Update & Security icon
It features two curved arrows, one pointing to the right and the other to the left, and is located at the bottom of the "Settings" window.
Step 4. Go to the Activation tab
It is located on the left side of the window.
Step 5. Activate your copy of Windows
You can do this in two ways, depending on whether you have a product key or have performed a free upgrade to the new version of Windows:
- Free upgrade: select the item Troubleshooting, if prompted, type the e-mail address associated with your Microsoft account and its login password, choose the option Activate Windows and press the button Activate when required.
- Purchase Product Key: select the link Go to the store, push the button Buy located under the version of Windows you want to activate, then complete the purchase using your preferred payment method.
Step 6. Restart your computer
Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
select the item Stop clicking the icon
then choose the item Reboot the system. When your computer has finished restarting, your version of Windows should be active.
