How to activate Windows 8.1 without product key

After the Windows 8/8.1 system is installed successfully, you will need to activate Windows. How to activate Windows? Please find below steps for how to activate Windows 8/8.1.

Steps for how to activate Windows 8/8.1:

Step 1: Click Start icon at the left-lower corner on your PC screen.

Step 2: Click PC settings icon.

Step 3: Click Go to pc settings.

Step 4: Click Enter key.

Step 5: Enter a product key in the text box.

Attention: If you already have a valid product key, you can go through step 4 and step 5. If you don't have a valid product key, how to find Windows 8/8.1 product key? You can click Buy key instead of Enter key on step 4 to go to Microsoft store to buy a product key.

When your product key is typed in correctly, Windows will be activated. How to find out if Windows 8/8.1 is activated or not? Please see steps below:

Step 1: Click Start icon at the left-lower of your PC screen.

Step 2: Click PC settings icon.

Step 3: Click PC and device.

Step 4: Click PC info.

Step 5: Check if Windows is activated or not.

Another way to check if Windows is activated or not:

Step 1: Press shortcut key Win+R on your keyboard to open Run dialog box.

Step 2: Type in "slmgr.vbs -xpr" and click OK. (Attention that there is a space before "-xpr") If your Windows has been activated, a pop-up info will tell the Windows activation expire date.

If you want to find the way for how to install Windows 8/8.1, you can click Easy Way to Install Windows 8/8.1, this article will tell you what to prepare before installing Windows 8.1, how to create a bootable Windows installation USB drive, how to create and resize new drive partition, and so on.

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Are you looking for a Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 trial with a free product key? Check our article and learn how to find and use free product keys to activate Windows.

Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 have been popular in the free product key scene. If you don't want to spend money on purchasing an adequately licensed product key, you can use a free one and try one of the latest Windows systems at no cost. However, there are some risks you need to take into account when trying this method.

Free product keys have been around for decades. Some people want to try the system to its fullest before making a purchase. Others want to get around the costs and acquire Windows 8 and 8.1 for free. Windows is a licensed product, there are some legal risks to using free product keys you find online.

Is using a free product key illegal?

The legality of using a free product key is a complex topic. The consequences depend on various things, such as the purposes you use the system for.

You won't be sued for using a free product key unless you're running a business and audited for licensing. Software Licensing Audit of all software your business utilizes is necessary for many states and countries.

You also won't be hacked or harmed for activating a Windows 8 or 8.1 key, as long as you don't use third-party software for activation. Third-party apps often carry malware in them, making it unsafe to download and operate something like a "Windows 8 product key generator".

In some cases, if Microsoft recognizes the product key as counterfeit, it'll be disabled. This means that you might lose the activation of your operating system.

Get free Windows product keys that still work in 2023

Free Windows 8 product keys

The following product keys are all valid, free product keys you can use to activate Windows 8. Check our instructions below if you're unsure how to activate your Copy of the operating system.

• NGXJ7-RWTT3-RYGP4-KTXTD-M7RDP
• VDGKG-N3B97-CC73Q-9H9FQ-Y4DHC
• BHM36-NC98B-C6BC6-PMHTC-V8MQP
• BH8M3-YJN8D-PWVTB-G3HCM-X4PK2
• 6PN82-R4BBH-XX8K2-DCK84-VMFDH
• 967N4-R7KXM-CJKJB-BHGCW-CPKT7
• BTNJ7-FFMBR-FF9BH-7QMJ9-H49T7
• HB39N-V9K6F-P436V-KWBTC-Q3R9V

Be sure to read our warnings in the section above before using free product keys. Especially for business owners, this is a potentially risky move.

Free Windows 8.1 product keys

The following product keys are all valid, free product keys you can use to activate Windows 8.1 systems. Check our instructions below if you're unsure how to activate your Copy of the operating system.

• NTQ99-TJD7V-DVMBR-M9KP9-YDVQQ
• J4GXG-8RN8X-3K4HK-9GRWQ-C36VD
• 334NH-RXG76-64THK-C7CKG-D3VPT
• KBN88-BYDXD-X6HQ7-3KHFC-W2M93
• HMCNV-VVBFX-7HMBH-CTY9B-B4FXY
• DDTRW-HNDHV-KP2J7-BJRGG-RRFX3
• GCRJD-8NW9H-F2CDX-CCM8D-9D6T9
• MNDGV-M6PKV-DV4DR-CYY8X-2YRXH

Be sure to read our warnings in the section above before using free product keys. Especially for business owners, this is a potentially risky move.

How to activate Windows 8 and 8.1 a product key

Now that you have a Windows 8 or 8.1 product key, you need to activate it. This will activate your system, allowing you to use it to the fullest extent. Let's see how to activate Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 with a product key.

Method 1. Use an automated script

1. Click here to be redirected to the script you'll use to activate Windows. Select the script, right-click anywhere, and choose Copy from the context menu. Alternatively, use the Ctrl + C keyboard shortcut.
   
   
   
   
2. Open the Notepad application on your system. Right-click anywhere, and choose Paste from the context menu. Alternatively, use the Ctrl + V keyboard shortcut.
3. Click on File, and then choose to Save as... from the context menu. Alternatively, use the Ctrl + Shift + S keyboard shortcut.
   
   
   
   
4. Name the file "1click.cmd" without the quotation marks, and save it somewhere easily accessible. Click on the Save button to proceed.
   
   
   
   
5. Locate the File, right-click on it, and then choose Run as administrator from the context menu.
   
   
   
   
6. When prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Yes to allow the app to launch with administrative permissions. Need help? Check out our How to make a local user an administrator guide.
7. The script will run and activate Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 with a valid and free product key.

Method 2. Manually activate Windows

1. Log in with a local administrator account. Ensure that you're connected to the internet when activating your product key.
2. Press the Windows + I keys on your keyboard to bring up the Settings charm. Here, click on the Change PC settings button.
   
3. In the PC settings window, select the Activate Windows tab. This is where you can input your product key. If you can't see this option, your system may already be activated.
   
   
   
   
4. Click on the Enter Key button. You can also see your current activation status in the same window.
   
   
   
   
5. A new window should appear, where you can enter your product key. You can either use one of the free product keys above or purchase a legitimately licensed product key from us.
   
   
   
   
6. Press the Enter key on your keyboard. If product activation is successful, you'll see the "Thanks, you're all done" message display.
   
   
   
   
7. Click the Close button to finish the activation process.

Purchase Windows 8 and 8.1 for cheap

We recommend purchasing to acquire a legal license if you like the operating system after activating it with your free product key. Here at SoftwareKeep, we sell systems at an affordable low price, with reliable support and step-by-step instructions on how to activate your new OS.

Browse Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 products and licenses from as low as $84.99 USD per license. Get instant, legal access to licensed operating systems for an affordable market price, and cash in rewards by joining our program.

Final thoughts

If you need any further help with Windows, don't hesitate to reach out to our customer service team, available 24/7 to assist you. Return to us for more informative articles related to productivity and modern-day technology!

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windows 8.1 free product key FAQ

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Can you activate Windows without a product key?