Windows Activation Options 

What do your customers have to be mindful of with a new PC with Windows 10?

Alongside the release of Windows 10, Microsoft have revised the activation process, which is mandatory in order to properly use the new operating system. This change is relevant for systems delivered with a pre-installed version of Windows 10. In this document we provide you with information about the most important aspects of this new activation process for your customers.

Certificate of Authenticity and Genuine Microsoft Logo

On each system with a pre-installed version of Windows 10 there is either a Certificate of Authenticity, COA, or the new Genuine Microsoft Logo, GML. Both the COA and the GML show customers that licensed Genuine Microsoft Software is pre-installed on the system. The difference is: the COA has the product key printed on it while the GML has the logo of the pre-installed Windows 10 Edition. Another new feature is that the GML does not have to be on the system casing. The sticker could also be placed under the battery or on the power supply unit, e.g. for notebooks or tablets.

Sample Certificate of Authenticity, COA
Samples of Genuine Microsoft Logos, GML

Activation of Windows 10

If activation has not yet been taken care of by the PC manufacturer the customer has to activate the operating system. The basic activation of Windows 10 is no different from the process for Windows 8 and Windows 7: After the initial start of a system with a Certificate of Authenticity the user has to enter the product key printed on the COA and carry out the activation online or on the phone. If, however, there is a Genuine Microsoft Logo on the system, the product key is not required for activation.

Re-installation of Windows 10

Customers who bought a PC with pre-installed Windows 10 usually don’t get a recovery medium to perform a re-installation. Generally it is possible to perform a recovery directly through the system. You can also download an image for a system recovery on our homepage under Service -> System information/Driver. On Windows 10 PCs with a GML (Genuine Microsoft Logos) a product key code is not needed for a re-installation. If you purchased a Windows 10 PC with a COA (certificate of authenticity) it is possible that you will be asked to type in a product key code. This can be found on the certificate of authenticity. 

For problems during activation or a new installation of Windows 10

Within the warranty period customers who have purchased a PC with Windows 10 pre-installed should use the PC manufacturers’ helpline when experiencing problems during activation or new installation. Once the warranty has expired, customers with problems during activation or new installation should talk to Microsoft. If Windows 10 was purchased separately from the hardware, customers should use the address printed on the software packaging or their trader.

Further Information:

To obtain a product key in order to replace a motherboard outside the warranty period, Microsoft is providing a separate process. A key can be purchased for a fee using the following telephone number: +49 (0)180 6 67 22 55