Windows Activation Troubleshooter - What Is It & Usage Guide

Everything you need to know about this tool and how to use it

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Key notes

  • The Windows Activation troubleshooter is an excellent tool that helps diagnose and fix activation issues.
  • It serves many purposes, one of which is to help reactivate Windows after a hardware change.
  • This tool can be found in the Activation section of your settings app.
windows activation troubleshooter

Although you can use your Windows PC for some time without activation, users know activation allows you to get the full package. However, you sometimes encounter issues, which is why the Windows activation troubleshooter is a more than welcomed tool.

This guide will show you everything you need to know about the activation troubleshooter and how to use it.

What is Windows Activation Troubleshooter?

The Windows activation troubleshooter is a tool that helps to diagnose and recommend possible fixes for activation issues.

It is available on all versions of Windows 10 and 11 and is easy to use. Microsoft developed this tool due to many complaints about activation issues.

The Activation Troubleshooter features a few options to make the activation process easier. The first is the ability to connect your Microsoft account with your Windows 10 license.

This will allow users to activate Windows 10 simply by logging in to their Microsoft accounts. Next, the Activation Troubleshooter will allow you to get back to the version of Windows 10 you initially used.

For example, suppose your license is for Windows 10 Pro, and you installed Windows 10 Home on your computer. In that case, the Activation Troubleshooter will automatically change the system version and register your computer for Windows 10 Pro.

Another benefit of the Windows Activation troubleshooter is that it can be used to activate Windows after a motherboard change or any hardware. It does this by simply retrieving your digital license from the linked Microsoft account.

Where is the Activation troubleshooter?

To locate and use the troubleshooter, follow the steps below:

  1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app and select the Update & Security option.
    update and windows activation troubleshooter windows activation troubleshooter
  2. Click the Activation option in the left pane.
  3. Now, click the Troubleshoot option, and the tool will get to work.
    troubleshoot

That is how easy it is to locate the troubleshooter. After clicking Troubleshoot, all you need to do is just wait for the tool to diagnose your PC and apply the recommended fixes.

In the rare cases that the Windows activation troubleshooter is not working, check our detailed guide to fix the issue quickly.

That is just about everything you need to know about this excellent tool by Microsoft. In case you are facing issues activating your PC, check our guide on the common Windows activation errors and how to fix them.

Feel free to share your experience with this tool with us in the comments below.

More about the topics: Activation Errors, windows 10