Windows 11 is the latest operating system from Microsoft that offers various features and performance improvements. However, to use Windows 11 optimally, you need to activate it first. Activating Windows 11 is a process that verifies that your Windows 11 license is valid and genuine.
There are several ways to activate Windows 11, one of them is by using CMD (Command Prompt). CMD is an application that allows you to run certain commands on your computer. By using CMD, you can activate Windows 11 without having to install any additional software or enter a product key.
In this article, we will provide a complete guide on how to activate Windows 11 with CMD. We will also explain the advantages and disadvantages of this method, as well as provide some suggestions and solutions if you encounter any problems or errors. Read on for more details.
How to Activate Windows 11 with CMD
Here are the steps to activate Windows 11 with CMD:
- Open the CMD application by right-clicking on the Start Menu and selecting Run as administrator.
- Type the command
slmgr /ipk
and press Enter. Replace with the product key that matches your edition of Windows 11. You can search for the product key on the internet or use the generic product key provided by Microsoft. For example, for the Windows 11 Pro edition, you can use the product keyW269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX
. - Wait until the message Product key installed successfully appears.
- Type the command
slmgr /skms kms8.msguides.com
and press Enter. This is the address of the KMS (Key Management Service) server that will be used to activate your Windows 11 online. - Wait until the message Key Management Service machine name set to kms8.msguides.com successfully appears.
- Type the command
slmgr /ato
and press Enter. This is the command to activate your Windows 11. - Wait until the message Product activated successfully appears.
- Close the CMD application and check your Windows 11 activation status by opening Settings > Update & Security > Activation. If successful, you will see the text Windows is activated with a digital license.
Congratulations, you have successfully activated Windows 11 with CMD.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Activating Windows 11 with CMD
Activating Windows 11 with CMD has some advantages and disadvantages that you need to know. Here are some of them:
The Advantages
- Easy and fast. You only need to run a few commands in CMD and wait for a few seconds to activate your Windows 11.
- No additional software required. You do not need to install any software to activate Windows 11 with CMD. You only need to use the built-in Windows application that is already on your computer.
- No product key required. You do not need to buy or search for a product key to activate Windows 11 with CMD. You can use the generic product key provided by Microsoft or the product key generated by the KMS server.
- Can be repeated. If your Windows 11 activation fails or expires, you can repeat the activation process with CMD at any time. You only need to make sure that your computer is connected to the internet and the KMS server is still active.
The Disadvantages
- Not legal and official. Activating Windows 11 with CMD is a method that is not recognized and supported by Microsoft. You may violate Microsoft’s copyright and license by using this method. You may also not get updates and official support from Microsoft if you use this method.
- Not permanent and stable. Activating Windows 11 with CMD only lasts for 180 days. After that, you need to repeat the activation process again. In addition, activating Windows 11 with CMD depends on the availability and performance of the KMS server. If the KMS server is down or problematic, your Windows 11 activation may fail or be interrupted.
- Risky and dangerous. Activating Windows 11 with CMD may pose risks and dangers to your computer. You may be exposed to viruses, malware, or spyware that are inserted by irresponsible parties on the KMS server or the product key used. You may also lose your data or privacy if your computer is infiltrated by unauthorized parties through the KMS server or the product key used.
Suggestions and Solutions if You Encounter Problems or Errors
If you encounter problems or errors when activating Windows 11 with CMD, here are some suggestions and solutions that you can try:
- Make sure that your computer is connected to the internet when running the activation process with CMD. Activating Windows 11 with CMD requires an internet connection to communicate with the KMS server.
- Make sure that the product key you use matches your edition of Windows 11. If not, your Windows 11 activation may fail or be invalid. You can search for the appropriate product key on the internet or use the generic product key provided by Microsoft.
- Make sure that the address of the KMS server you use is still active and working. If not, your Windows 11 activation may fail or be interrupted. You can search for another KMS server address on the internet or use the KMS server address recommended by trusted sources.
- Make sure that the CMD application you open runs as administrator. If not, your Windows 11 activation may fail or be rejected. You can open the CMD application as administrator by right-clicking on the Start Menu and selecting Run as administrator.
- Make sure that your computer is clean from viruses, malware, or spyware that can interfere with the activation process with CMD. If not, your Windows 11 activation may fail or be dangerous. You can clean your computer by using a reliable and up-to-date antivirus or anti-malware program.
- Make sure that you follow the instructions and commands given correctly and carefully. If not, your Windows 11 activation may fail or be wrong. You can repeat the activation process with CMD if you make a mistake or forget the steps.
Conclusion
Activating Windows 11 with CMD is one way to activate Windows 11 without having to install any additional software or enter a product key. This method is easy and fast, but also has drawbacks and risks that need to be considered. You need to make sure that your computer is connected to the internet, using the appropriate product key and KMS server address, opening the CMD application as administrator, and running the commands given correctly.
If you encounter problems or errors when activating Windows 11 with CMD, you can try some suggestions and solutions that we have provided. However, we also suggest you to use a legal and official way of activating Windows 11, which is by buying a genuine Microsoft license or using a trusted and safe activator software.
That’s all for our complete guide on how to activate Windows 11 with CMD. We hope this article is useful and informative for you. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please write them in the comment section below. Thank you for reading this article.