System Change Product Key in Windows 11

A Windows product key is a 25-character code used to activate Windows. It looks like this:

• PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10 or Windows 11, you'll need either a 25-character product key or a digital license to activate it. A digital license (called a digital entitlement in Windows 10, Version 1511) is a method of activation in Windows 10 and Windows 11 that doesn't require you to enter a product key. Without one of these, you won't be able to activate your device.

Sometimes you may need to change the product key in Windows 11 if you used a generic key, skipped entering product key during a clean install, or want to upgrade your Windows 11 edition with a product key.

See also:

This tutorial will show you how to change the product key in Windows 11.

You must be signed in as an administrator and connected to the Internet to change the product key.

1 Open Settings (Win+I).

2 Click/tap on System on the left side, and click/tap on Activation on the right side. (see screenshot below)

Open Activation settings


3 Perform one of the following actions depending on which Windows 11 edition you have installed: (see screenshots below)

• If you have a Windows 11 Home edition, click/tap on Upgrade your edition of Windows to expand it open, and click/tap on the Change button to Change product key.
• If you have a Windows 11 Pro edition, click/tap on the Change button to Change product key.

4 Enter your 25-character product key for Windows 11, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)


5 Click/tap on Activate. (see screenshot below)


6 Click/tap on Close. (see screenshot below)






1 Open Windows Terminal (Admin), and select either Windows PowerShell or Command Prompt.

2 Type the command below into Windows Terminal (Admin), and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

Substitute product key in the command above with your 25-character product key with dashes.

For example: slmgr /ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX

3 Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)


4 You can now close Windows Terminal (Admin) if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink