3 Ways to Check If Windows 11 Is Activated (2024)

Although Microsoft allows you to use Windows 11 without activation, using a non-activated copy may not be the best idea as it restricts your access to certain key features and critical security updates. If you’re unsure, there are several ways to know if your copy of Windows 11 is activated.

You can check your Windows 11 PC’s activation status via the Settings app, the Run command, or a command-line tool. This post will walk you through all three methods in detail.

1. How to Check Windows 11's Activation State Using the Settings App

The Settings app in Windows contains all the necessary information about the Windows edition, its activation status, and the product key.

To check Windows 11 activation status using the Settings app, follow these steps:

1. Press Win + I to launch the Settings app.
2. In the System tab, click on Activation.
3. Check the status next to Activation state.

   

If the status reads Active, it means your Windows 11 copy is activated. On the other hand, if the status displays Not active, it implies that the copy of your Windows 11 is not yet activated.

You can click the Activation state option to reveal more details. Depending on the activation status, you should see one of the following messages:

• Windows is activated.
• Windows is activated with a digital license.
• Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.
• Windows is not activated.

See Also

How to Find Your Microsoft Office Product Key

Is your Windows 11 PC not showing the correct activation status despite using a genuine license key? Check our guide on how to fix the activation key not working issue in Windows 11.

2. How to Check Windows 11 Activation State via the Run Command

Run command is a useful tool for executing commands, opening system utilities, and launching apps and programs in Windows. You can also use this tool to see Windows' activation status.

Here’s how to check if Windows 11 is activated via the Run command.

1. Right-click on the Start icon and select Run from the list. Alternatively, you can use the Win + R keyboard shortcut to access the Run tool quickly.
2. Type slmgr.vbs /xpr in the text field and click OK or press Enter.
3. You should see a Windows Script Host dialog box that’ll convey whether your copy of Windows 11 is activated or not.

   

Alternatively, you can run the slmgr.vbs /dlv command to check the activation status along with other important details such as activation ID, partial product key, and so on.

3. How to Check Windows 11 Activation State With Command Prompt or PowerShell

Command Prompt and PowerShell are two built-in command-line tools in Windows 11 commonly used for performing complex administrative tasks and troubleshooting various errors. However, did you know you could also use these tools to reveal essential system information such as Windows' activation state?

To check the Windows 11 activation state using Command Prompt or PowerShell, use these steps:

1. Use one of the many ways to open Command Prompt or PowerShell on Windows.
2. In the console, type slmgr /xpr and press Enter.
3. In the dialog box, check Windows 11’s activation status. If your machine is not activated, you should see the Windows is in notification mode message.

   

Like interacting with your machine via Command Prompt? Here are some fun Command Prompt tricks you might enjoy.

Checking Windows 11’s Activation Status, Made Easy

You now know several ways to determine whether your copy of Windows 11 is genuine or not.

If your Windows 11 is not activated, you may need to purchase a license key online to activate it. However, it's important to be cautious of online deals that seem too good to be true while making the purchase.