How to Reactivate Windows 10 After a Clean Install: A Comprehensive Guide

If you’ve recently performed a clean install of Windows 10 on your device, you may need to reactivate it to ensure full functionality and access to all features. Fortunately, the process of reactivating Windows 10 after a clean install is straightforward and can be completed in just a few steps. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the necessary steps to reactivate your Windows 10 installation and get your device back up and running.

Prepare Your Device for Reactivation

Before you begin the reactivation process, it’s important to ensure that your device is properly prepared. First, make sure that your device is connected to the internet. Windows 10 requires an internet connection to complete the activation process.

Next, check the activation status of your Windows 10 installation. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app by clicking on the Start button and selecting the gear icon.
2. Click on “Update & Security”.
3. Click on “Activation”.
4. Check the activation status under the “Windows” section.

If your Windows 10 installation is not activated, proceed to the next step. If it is already activated, you can skip ahead to the “Reactivate Windows 10” section.

Link Your Microsoft Account to Your Digital License

If you’re using a digital license to activate your Windows 10 installation, it’s important to link your Microsoft account to that license. This will make it easier to reactivate your Windows 10 installation in the future.

To link your Microsoft account to your digital license, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app and click on “Accounts”.
2. Click on “Your info”.
3. Click on “Sign in with a Microsoft account instead”.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to sign in with your Microsoft account.

Once your Microsoft account is linked to your digital license, you can proceed to the next step.

Reactivate Windows 10

To reactivate your Windows 10 installation after a clean install, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app and click on “Update & Security”.
2. Click on “Activation”.
3. Under the “Windows” section, click on the “Troubleshoot” option.
4. Click on the “I changed hardware on this device recently” option.
5. Confirm your Microsoft account credentials (if applicable).
6. Select the device you’re currently using from the list of devices linked to your Microsoft account.
7. Click on “Activate”.

If you don’t see your device in the list of devices linked to your Microsoft account, make sure you’re signed in with the correct account.

If you continue to experience issues with activation, you can try using a product key to activate your Windows 10 installation. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app and click on “Update & Security”.
2. Click on “Activation”.
3. Click on “Change product key”.
4. Enter your product key and click on “Next”.

If you don’t have a product key, you can contact Microsoft Support for further assistance.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully reactivate your Windows 10 installation after a clean install. Remember to keep your Microsoft account and product key safe, as you may need them for future activations.