Activate Windows 8 by Phone

How to Activate Windows 8 and 8.1 by Phone

information   Information
A product key is a 25-digit number that's used to activate Windows 8/8.1. Activation helps verify that Windows hasn't been used on more PCs than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow.

Your product key should be in the box that the Windows DVD came in, or in an email that shows that you bought Windows.

It looks like this: PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX


While performing a clean or upgrade install of a retail copy of Windows 8/8.1 or Windows 8/8.1 Professional, Microsoft requires that you enter the product key for it during installation and will be automatically activated when online.

All OEM PCs that come with Windows 8/8.1 or Windows RT/RT 8.1 preinstalled will activate automatically when they are connected online to the internet. The product key is embedded in the UEFI/BIOS firmware of OEM PCs with Windows 8 preinstalled, and is entered automatically for activation.

When installing Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, it doesn't ask for a product key number and isn't activated automatically since Microsoft allows you to use a free 90-day evaluation of Windows 8 Enterprise or Windows 8.1 Enterprise Preview before needing to purchase a license (product key). Windows 8 Enterprise can be activated online by changing the product key number to the one you purchased with the Windows 8 Enterprise.


However, sometimes after you change hardware (ex: motherboard), install the same Windows 8 on a new replacement computer, or some other activation error, Windows 8 may become no longer activated. If you are unable to activate Windows 8 online as usual, then you may need to activate Windows 8 by phone instead.

This tutorial will show you how to activate Windows 8 and 8.1 by phone when Windows 8 or 8.1 is already installed and you are unable to activate online with the product key.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to activate Windows 8 by phone.


EXAMPLE: Watermark that indicates Windows 8 is not activated
NOTE: This watermark will be at the bottom right corner of your desktop above the taskbar notification area.

Unactivated_Windows_8_Watermark.jpg





OPTION ONE

To Activate Windows 8 by Phone



1. Do step 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 below for what you would like or able to do.

2. Press the Windows :winkey: + R to open the Run dialog, type slui.exe 4, press Enter, and go to step 7 below.

3. Open an elevated command prompt, type slui.exe 4, press Enter, and go to step 7 below.

4. Open the Power Users Tasks menu, click/tap on System, and go to step 5A below.

5. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the System icon.

A) Click/tap on View details in Windows Activation at the bottom. (see screenshot below)

Activate_W8_by_phone_System-1.jpg

B) Click/tap on either Activate by phone (if available) at top or Contact Microsoft Customer Support, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshots below)
NOTE: The options you may have available are based on the activation error you have.

Activate_W8_by_phone_System-3.jpg

Activate_W8_by_phone_System-2.jpg

6. Open PC settings, click/tap on Activate Windows on the left side, click/tap on Contact customer support for help on the right side, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: Activate Windows will only be available in PC settings if Windows 8 or Windows RT is currently not activated.

Activate_W8_PC-settings-2.jpg

7. Click/tap on the drop down menu, select the nearest location to you for a toll free number to call, then click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

Activate_W8_by_Phone-1.jpg

8. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.

9. Follow the instructions on the screen and phone. (see screenshot below)

A) (step 1) Call the toll free activation "Microsoft activation phone number" from step 7 nearest your location.

B) (step 2) Enter the ID numbers on your phone keypad when asked to do so over the phone.
NOTE: These numbers are generated by your PC and provide information about your product key.

C) (step 3) Enter the confirmation ID numbers given to you over the phone into the "Windows Activation" wizard.

D) When finished, click/tap on Activate.

Activate_W8_by_Phone-2.jpg

10. If activation was successful, then you are done.

11. If activation failed, then you will be told that activation cannot proceed. DO NOT hang up. Wait to be automatically transferred to a Microsoft Activation Team operator that will go through these steps again to help you activate your copy of Window 8.





OPTION TWO

To Activate Windows 8.1 by Phone



1. Do step 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 below for what you would like or able to do.

2. Press the Windows :winkey: + R to open the Rusluisn dialog, type slui.exe 4, press Enter, and go to step 7 below.

3. Open an elevated command prompt, type slui.exe 4, press Enter, and go to step 7 below.

4. Open the Power Users Tasks menu, click/tap on System, and go to step 5A below.

5. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the System icon.

A) Click/tap on Activate Windows at the bottom right corner under Windows activation, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

Activate_8.1_System-1.jpg

6. Open PC settings, click/tap on Activate Windows on the left side. (see screenshot below)

Activate_8.1_PC-settings-1.jpg

A) On the right side, click/tap on Activate by phone, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

Activate-1.jpg

7. Click/tap on the drop down menu, select your country or region for a toll free "Microsoft activation phone number" to call for that location, then click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

8.1_Activate_by_Phone-2.jpg

8. If prompted by UAC, then click/tap on Yes.

9. Call the toll free activation phone number from step 7 nearest your location. (see screenshot below)

8.1_Activate_by_Phone-3.jpg

10. Enter or provide the installation ID numbers on your phone keypad when asked to do so over the phone, and click/tap on Enter confirmation ID when ready. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: These numbers are generated by your PC and provide information about your product key.

11. Enter the confirmation ID numbers given to you over the phone, and click/tap on Activate Windows when finished. (see screenshot below)

8.1_Activate_by_Phone-4.jpg

12. If activation was successful, then you are done.

13. If activation failed, then you will be told that activation cannot proceed. DO NOT hang up. Wait to be automatically transferred to a Microsoft Activation Team operator that will go through these steps again to help you activate your copy of Window 8.1.


That's it,
Shawn


 

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