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the installation is complete, Windows contacts the activation servers and sends the hardware ID. (It’s
hashed, so it can’t be used to identify the specific device.) When the server finds a stored digital entitlement
for that hardware ID, the system is activated automatically.
If you are using bootable installation media to perform a clean install on a PC that has never been
upgraded to Windows 10 and activated, you will need to enter a product key to activate the system. If
your installation media is for Windows 10 version 1511 (build 10586) or later, you can enter a product key
from a matching edition of Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1. That option also results in a digital
entitlement, and there’s no further need to enter that product key.
You can see even more detailed activation information about the current Windows installation
by opening an administrative Command Prompt window and entering the command slmgr.vbs /
dlv. Figure 3-4 shows the extremely detailed output for the same system whose activation status was
shown in Figure 3-3.
FIGURE 3-4 Use the Slmgr.vbs script to view the licensing status. (Try the –? switch to see all available options.)
Of course, other activation options are available as well:
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New PCs with Windows 10 preinstalled by the manufacturer are activated automatically by the
OEM. The license information is coded into the firmware of the device, allowing reinstallation of
the same Windows 10 edition without requiring a product key.
Retail and OEM copies available through resellers include a product key that can be used to
activate a specific Windows 10 edition that has never been activated.
Volume License customers can use Multiple Activation Keys or a Key Management Server to
activate properly licensed copies of Windows 10 Enterprise.
40 CHAPTER 3 Installation and activation