Although the Windows operating system is normally configured for automatic activation upon installation, it may happen that you need to proceed with manual activation. With product activation, Microsoft is able to ensure that your copy of Windows is genuine and that it is being used only on your computer, helping to prevent piracy. If you're doing a simple update on your computer, or if you can't access the internet after installing Windows, you most likely need to manually activate your copy of Windows.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Activate Windows 7 Online
Step 1. Access the Start menu
Select the Computer item with the right mouse button, then choose the Properties option from the context menu that appeared. You will be directed to the System Properties window.
Alternatively you can use the hotkey combination ⊞ Win + Pause
Step 2. Select the "Activate Windows Now" link at the bottom of the window
The activation process will try to detect an active internet connection. If the search is successful, the option "Activate Windows online now" will be available. If not, check that your web connection is working properly.
Step 3. Enter the product key for your copy of Windows 7
In order to proceed with the activation of Windows, you must provide the code consisting of 25 characters. Normally the product key for Windows products is placed on the installation disc, on the underside of the computer in the case of a laptop or in the operating system manual.
- If you purchased the operating system directly online, the activation code will be sent to you in the confirmation email.
- If you can't locate the product key for your copy of Windows, you may need to purchase a new one.
Step 4. Press the button
Come on to proceed with activating your copy of Windows.
The activation process may take a few moments. At the end of the activation process, a confirmation message will be displayed. To check that Windows has been activated, access the System window again (select the Computer item with the right mouse button, then choose the Properties option from the context menu that appeared), you should see the words "Windows is activated" in the section " Windows Activation ".
Method 2 of 4: Activate Windows 7 by Phone
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu
Select the item "Computer" with the right mouse button, then choose the "Properties" option from the context menu that appeared. You will be directed to the System Properties window.
Alternatively you can use the hotkey combination ⊞ Win + Pause
Step 2. Select the "Activate Windows Now" link at the bottom of the window
Step 3. Choose the option "Show other activation modes" from the menu that appeared
Step 4. Enter the product key for your copy of Windows 7
In order to proceed with the activation of Windows, you must provide the code consisting of 25 characters. Normally the product key for Windows products is placed on the installation disc, on the underside of the computer in the case of a laptop or in the operating system manual.
- If you purchased the operating system directly online, the activation code will be sent to you in the confirmation email.
- If you can't locate the product key for your copy of Windows, you may need to purchase a new one.
Step 5. Press the button
Come on.
Choose the "Use Automated Phone System" option from the list of available options. You may be prompted to enter the computer administrator password. If so, type in the password and press the OK button.
Step 6. Select the location closest to your residence
You will be given a list of phone numbers that you can call and the installation ID will be displayed on the screen.
Step 7. Call the chosen number
You will be connected to an automatic system that will guide you through the activation process. You will be asked to enter the installation ID displayed on the screen.
Step 8. Use the phone keypad to enter the installation ID
Step 9. Make a note of the confirmation number
After entering the installation ID, you will be provided with a confirmation code. Write it down or type it directly into a text editor, such as Notepad or Word.
Step 10. Enter the confirmation code in the activation window, then press the button
Come on.
If the activation fails, do not hang up, stay on the line, you will be taken over by the first available customer service operator
Method 3 of 4: Activating Windows 7 via Modem
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu
Select the item "Computer" with the right mouse button, then choose the "Properties" option from the context menu that appeared. You will be directed to the System Properties window.
Alternatively you can use the hotkey combination ⊞ Win + Pause
Step 2. Select the "Activate Windows Now" link at the bottom of the window
Step 3. Choose the option "Show other activation modes" from the menu that appeared
Step 4. Enter the product key for your copy of Windows 7
In order to proceed with the activation of Windows, you must provide the code consisting of 25 characters. Normally the product key for Windows products is placed on the installation disc, on the underside of the computer in the case of a laptop or in the operating system manual.
- If you purchased the operating system directly online, the activation code will be sent to you in the confirmation email.
- If you can't locate the product key for your copy of Windows, you may need to purchase a new one.
Step 5. Press the button
Come on.
Select the item "Use the modem for direct connection to the activation service.". You may be prompted to enter the computer administrator password. If so, type in your password and press the "OK" button.
Step 6. Select the location closest to your residence from the drop-down menu that appeared
Press the Next button to connect and proceed with activation. You will hear the modem activate and connect to the activation service. The activation process may take a few moments. At the end of the activation process, a confirmation message will be displayed.
To check that Windows has been activated, access the System window again (select the Computer item with the right mouse button, then choose the Properties option from the context menu that appeared), you should see the words "Windows is activated" in the section " Windows Activation"
Method 4 of 4: Disable the Activation Procedure
Step 1. Download the InfiniteRearm utility
You can find it on numerous sites related to fans of the world of Windows. This is an illegal procedure to take if you don't have an original copy of Windows, obviously not supported by Microsoft.
You may need to download the InfiniteRearm program as part of the "Rearm Wizard" software package
Step 2. Extract the contents of the downloaded file
Double click the file to select the archive, then drag the Rearm Wizard.cmd file to your desktop or other easy-to-access location.
Step 3. Run the file
Rearm Wizard.cmd.
A Command Prompt window will open which will guide you through the installation process of the InfiniteRearm program.
Step 4. Select option "A" from the main menu
This will load the IR7 program (InfiniteRearm 7).
Step 5. Select option "A" from the InifinteRearm program menu
This will start the installation procedure of the InfiniteRearm service on your computer. At the end the system will restart.
Step 6. Use Windows as usual
The InfiniteRearm program will reset the timer for the remaining days of free use of your version of Windows, giving you full access to all operating system features.
Step 7. When the trial period of your copy of Windows expires, reinstall the program
The countdown will continue to be active, reaching zero, but at any time you will be able to reset it by installing InfiniteRearm again and repeating the reset process. You will be asked to reinstall the program after a period of 180 days.
Advice
- If you have problems activating Windows 7 by phone, do not hang up, stay on the line, you will be taken care of by the first available customer service operator.
- The Windows 7 activation code is inside the package. If you purchased the operating system directly online, the activation code will be sent to you in the confirmation email.
