How to activate Windows 10

The launch of Windows 10 was a point and part in what until now we conceived the versions of Windows. This number ten is here to stay, that is, from now on, Windows 10 will not grow in number, but will always be the same, at least those are the initial plans that Microsoft announced when it officially presented. With the arrival of Windows 10 no service packs, the periodic updates that Microsoft released for each version of Windows. Now the updates have different names.

The first one that was launched, just a year after the arrival of Windows 10 was the Anniversary Update. The second, which was released in April 2017, is called the Creators Update. The third, which at the time of this writing is called Redstone 3, will be released before the end of the year. Throughout the first year of release, Microsoft allowed Windows 10 users download and update automatically of this new operating system to all those users who made use of Windows 7, 8 or 8.1.

In this article, we are not only going to offer you all the necessary information if we are forced to reinstall Windows 10, But we also inform you of all the versions that Microsoft allowed to update for free, so that you know at all times which version you have and what is the reason why you have that and not another and how you can perform a clean installation again without problems.

Windows 7 desktop versions

7 Windows Starter

By the time Microsoft released Windows 7, notebooks had become a small, inexpensive device to use regularly or sporadically. But as the years went by, the technical limitations offered by these computers together with the cheaper of the largest and most powerful computers meant the end of this range of small laptops. But much earlier, Microsoft released a specific version for these types of devices, a very basic version that was missing many options from the Home version, but still, the lack of options did not improve the overall performance of it.

7 Windows Home Basic

This version is the next in the ladder to Windows 7 Starter since it does not offer the same features as the Premium version, intended for the home user. Windows 7 Home Basic was intended for emerging markets and it did not have the Aero interface, which requires a much more powerful equipment.

7 Windows Home Premium

This is the version that was pre-installed in most laptops and computers (OEM), it is intended for the home user and unlike the Home Basic Version it offers us a large number of options so that the home user can get the most out of your team.

Windows 7 Professional

Windows 7 Professional was also pre-installed on new computers (OEM), it includes all the features of the Home Premium version plus other features intended for the small and medium business.

Windows Ultimate 7

This version included all the features of Windows 7 Professional but also added safety and security features of data on external and internal hard drives, Applocker, BranchCache, support for virtualized hard drive images ...

Windows 7 Enterprise

Most expensive version of all those offered by Microsoft and that was intended for the management of computers in large companies, where access or limitation is essential. It includes all the features available in the Windows 7 Ultimate version.

What version of Windows 7 do I have?

To find out which version of Windows 7 we have we must go to Control Panel and select System. Within this section the version that we have installed will be displayed, along with the type of version, 32 or 64 bits.

Windows 8 desktop versions

Windows 8 / Windows 8.1

Windows 8 and 8.1 was the entry-level version of this version of Windows, a version that raised the ire of many users when the Start button disappeared completely, a problem so serious that it forced Microsoft to launch an update, 8.1 to fix it and momentarily calm the waters.

Windows 8 Pro / Windows 8.1 Pro

The Pro version of Windows 8 and 8.1 was intended for SMEs, where the same functions as in the basic version were found, but with new features aimed at the professional sector.

Windows 8 Enterprise / Windows 8.1 Enterprise

The Enterprise version has always been the intended for large companies and it offers us the same features as the Pro version, but also including greater security, user access control, server management ...

What version of Windows 8 do I have?

The information related to the version of Windows 8 that we have can be found by accessing Configuration and later in System. On the screen that will be displayed we will be able to see the type of version installed together with information about the type of version, whether it is 32 or 64 bits.

Windows 10 desktop versions

Windows 10 Home

On this occasion, Microsoft did not complicate life by separating the Home version into two other versions with different options. The Home version of Windows 10 is intended for home user, without options for small and medium businesses. In order to enjoy these options, we must resort to the Pro or Enterprise version.

Windows 10 Pro

Windows 10 Pro is intended for SMEs who want to take full advantage of the operating system they use in the company, such as the possibility of connecting remotely from mobile devices, an option that is not available in the Home version.

10 Windows Enterprise

Large companies that trust Microsoft to offer them an operating system that optimizes all computers make use of Windows 10 Enterprise. Windows 10 Enterprise does not offer the same options as the Pro version, but adding additional features to help in the management of organizations that require online collaboration, security, unlimited space in the cloud and special control over the information that their workers can access.

Windows 10 Education

Windows 10 Education is a version intended for the educational environment, and we offers the same features as the Enterprise versionExcept Cortana, Microsoft's virtual assistant. The main reason for offering the same features as the version for large companies at a tighter price is none other than so that teachers can manage the day-to-day life of all their students, in addition to offering access or limiting it to certain syllabi or activities that because of their age or course they are studying, they are still restricted.

What version of Windows 10 do I have?

As in Windows 8, we must access up to Configuration and later in System where the version information and the type that we have installed will be displayed.

Activation codes compatible with Windows 10

Throughout the first year of Windows 10 release, Microsoft wanted users to quickly adopt this new version of Windows, a new version that has been very well received by both users and the media. The guys at Redmond did very well, integrating the best of Windows 7 and very little of the aesthetics of Windows 8.1. To speed up the option of this latest version of Windows 10, Microsoft offered all users with legal licenses for Windows 7 and Windows 8.x the ability to enjoy Windows 10 with the same activation number that they had used in the version they were currently using.

This grace period was extended for one year, after which all users who want to update their equipment they can do it but not for free, since the activation number of the previous versions is no longer valid, so users who want to enjoy Windows 10 on their old computers have no choice but to go to the checkout and purchase one of the four licenses that it offers us the company run by Satya Nadella.

How can we see, the version of Windows 7 and 8 / 8.1 for large companies did not allow free upgrade to Windows 10, a logical decision since Microsoft lives from large companies not from ordinary consumers.

How do I find out the Windows activation code?

It is likely that with time and regular use that we can make of our PC, especially if it is portable, that the sticker with the number of our Windows license has worn off and some other number or letter is difficult to differentiate between them. Fortunately, on the Internet we can find different applications that allow us to quickly find out which is the serial number of our version of Windows, a number that we will need when reinstalling the operating system.

If we don't want to go into the registry, the best option available to find out the activation code for our version of Windows is with the application Product Key, a portable application that as soon as we run it will show us all the license numbers of the Microsoft products that we have installed, be it Windows, Office ...

How to activate Windows 7

When entering the Windows 7 activation code we have two options, do it when we install or skip that step and do it once the installation has finished. To do this, we must go to the Control Panel> System and go to the bottom of the screen, where we can read Enter activation code.

How to activate Windows 8 / 8.1

The procedure to enter the activation code in Windows 8 / 8.1 is the same as in Windows 7, since we can do it from the installation screen or through Settings> System and click on Enter activation code.

How to activate Windows 10

To activate Windows 10 we can also do it from the installation screen or from the system configuration. While there are ways to get one Windows 10 license free, Microsoft also offers us 30 days to be able to enter the serial number or activation code, a code that we must enter from Settings> System> Enter activation code.

Why doesn't Windows 10 ask me for an activation code?

Once the Windows 7, 8 / 8.1 update was carried out, Microsoft took due note on their servers so that if we had to reinstall the operating system again, we would not have to enter the serial number, since it is associated with our ID of computer, in this way the activation is carried out automatically. In addition, we can also associate our Microsoft account with our ID, in case we carry out an update of our hardware that Microsoft continues to allow us to use the activation code that we had for Windows 10.

How to install Windows 10 without activation code

The price of the licenses for Windows 10 in its different versions may escape the hand of more than one pocket and it is likely that you are not interested in buying it. But you can still enjoy legally and with updates to the latest version of Windows. To always be able to enjoy the latest versions of Windows 10 you just have to sign up for the Windows Insider program, a program that allows you to always test the latest versions of Windows, versions that despite being in beta, their stability and performance are really good