Windows 11 activation Guide Part 3

To activate Windows 11, you’ll need a valid product key. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to activate Windows 11:

Check Activation Status: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app. Click on “System” and then navigate to “About.” In the About settings, look for the “Windows specifications” section. Check the activation status to see if Windows 11 is already activated on your device. If it’s not activated, continue with the following steps.

Activate with a Product Key: If you have a product key, you can use it to activate Windows 11. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app. Click on “System” and then select “Activation” from the left-hand menu. Click on the “Change product key” link and enter your valid product key in the provided field. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the activation process.

Activate with a Digital License: If you previously upgraded your computer to Windows 11 from a genuine and activated Windows 10, you may have a digital license. In this case, you don’t need a product key. Windows 11 should automatically detect your digital license and activate your device. If it doesn’t activate automatically, follow the steps below:

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I.

Click on “System” and then navigate to “Activation.”

Under the “Windows” section, click on the “Troubleshoot” button.

Windows will attempt to detect and resolve any activation issues automatically.

Troubleshoot Activation Issues: If you encounter any activation issues, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

Ensure Internet Connectivity: Make sure your computer is connected to the internet. An active internet connection is required for Windows activation.

Restart Your Computer: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve activation issues. Restart your computer and check if Windows 11 activates automatically.

Contact Microsoft Support: If you’re unable to activate Windows 11 using the provided steps or encounter any errors, it’s recommended to contact Microsoft support for further assistance. They can help you resolve activation issues and provide guidance specific to your situation.

Please note that Windows activation requires a valid and genuine product key or digital license. It’s important to use legitimate licenses and avoid using unauthorized or pirated copies of Windows 11.

Setting up Windows 11 on your PC

Setting up Windows 11 on your PC involves a series of steps to configure the operating system and personalize it according to your preferences. Here’s a guide to help you get started:

Boot from Installation Media:

If you’re performing a clean installation, insert the Windows 11 installation media (USB or DVD) into your PC.

Restart your computer and enter the BIOS settings by pressing a specific key during the boot process (such as Del, F2, or F12).

In the BIOS settings, ensure that your PC is set to boot from the installation media. Save the changes and exit the BIOS.

Install Windows 11:

Windows 11 Setup: Your PC should now boot from the installation media. The Windows 11 setup process will begin.

Language and Region: Select your preferred language, time and currency format, and keyboard layout. Click “Next” to continue.

Install Now: Click on “Install now” to start the installation process.

Enter Product Key: If prompted, enter your valid product key or select the option to skip this step and proceed with a trial version.

Accept License Terms: Read and accept the license terms and conditions.

Select Installation Type: Choose between an upgrade (if you’re upgrading from a compatible version of Windows) or a custom installation (for a clean installation).

Partition Selection: If you’re performing a custom installation, select the partition or disk where you want to install Windows 11. You can create, delete, or format partitions as needed.

Install: Proceed with the installation process and wait for Windows 11 to be installed on your PC. Your computer may restart several times during the installation.

Set Up Windows 11:

Personalize: After the installation, Windows 11 will ask you to personalize your PC. Customize settings such as region, keyboard layout, and color theme.

Sign In: Sign in to your Microsoft account or create a new account. Alternatively, you can choose to use a local account.

Privacy Settings: Review and customize privacy settings according to your preferences.

Set Up Cortana: Choose whether to set up Cortana, Microsoft’s virtual assistant.

OneDrive Setup: Decide whether to set up OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage service.

Express Settings: Select the express settings for a quick setup, or customize individual settings as desired.

Finish Setup: Windows 11 will finalize the setup process and prepare your desktop environment.

Install Drivers and Updates:

Driver Installation: After the setup is complete, install any necessary drivers for your hardware components. Visit the manufacturer’s website or use Windows Update to download and install the latest drivers.

Windows Update: Run Windows Update to ensure that your PC is up to date with the latest patches, bug fixes, and security updates.

Install Applications and Customize:

Install Software: Install your desired applications and software on your Windows 11 PC.

Customize Settings: Explore the Windows Settings app to customize various aspects of your PC, including display, sound, notifications, privacy, and more.

Personalize: Customize your desktop background, taskbar settings, and other visual preferences.

File Organization: Organize your files and folders according to your preferred structure using File Explorer.

Remember to back up your important data before performing any major system changes and ensure that your PC meets the system requirements for Windows 11.

Windows 11 customization walkthrough

Certainly! Here’s a walkthrough to help you customize Windows 11 according to your preferences:

Personalization Options:

Background and Theme: Right-click on the desktop and select “Personalize” from the context menu. Choose a background image or slideshow and customize the theme colors to personalize your desktop.

Lock Screen: Go to “Settings” > “Personalization” > “Lock screen” to customize the lock screen background and select apps to show quick status updates.

Taskbar: Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.” Here, you can customize the taskbar behavior, such as enabling or disabling Task View, changing the taskbar position, and enabling or disabling system icons.

Start Menu Customization:

Start Menu Layout: Right-click on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.” Scroll down to find the “Taskbar behaviors” section and click on “Start” to customize the Start Menu. You can choose between different layout options, enable or disable recommended apps, and personalize the appearance.

Live Tiles: If you prefer Live Tiles on the Start Menu, you can resize and rearrange them to suit your needs. Right-click on a Live Tile and select “Resize” or “Unpin from Start” to customize the Start Menu layout.

Window Management:

Snap Assist: Windows 11 introduces new window snapping features. Drag a window to the left or right edge of the screen to snap it to half of the screen. You can also snap windows into different quadrants by dragging them to the corners.

Virtual Desktops: Click on the Task View button on the taskbar (or press Win + Tab) to access virtual desktops. You can create multiple desktops and switch between them to organize your workflow.

Notification and Action Center:

Notification Settings: Go to “Settings” > “System” > “Notifications & actions” to customize the notification settings. You can enable or disable app notifications, choose notification sounds, and configure other notification preferences.

Quick Actions: In the same “Notifications & actions” settings, you can customize the quick actions that appear in the Action Center. You can add, remove, or rearrange the quick actions to access your preferred settings easily.

Taskbar and System Tray:

Taskbar Icons: Right-click on an empty space on the taskbar and select “Taskbar settings.” Under the “Notification area” section, click on “Select which icons appear on the taskbar.” From there, you can choose which system icons appear on the taskbar.

System Tray Settings: To customize the behavior of system tray icons, go to “Settings” > “Personalization” > “Taskbar” and click on “Turn system icons on or off.” Here, you can enable or disable individual system icons from appearing in the system tray.

Dark Mode and Accent Colors:

Dark Mode: Go to “Settings” > “Personalization” > “Colors” and choose the “Dark” option under the “Choose your color” section to enable dark mode.

Accent Colors: In the same “Colors” settings, you can select an accent color for your windows and interface elements. Choose from the predefined colors or click on “Custom color” to select a custom accent color.

File Explorer Customization:

Navigation Pane: Open File Explorer, click on “View” in the top menu, and select “Options.” In the Folder Options dialog box, you can customize the Navigation Pane, enable or disable Quick Access, show/hide file extensions, and configure other file browsing settings.

File Explorer View Options: While in File Explorer, you can customize the view options by selecting “View” in

Customizing the Navigation Pane: Open File Explorer, click on “View” in the top menu, and select “Options.” In the Folder Options dialog box, you can customize the Navigation Pane, enable or disable Quick Access, show/hide file extensions, and configure other file browsing settings.

File Explorer View Options: While in File Explorer, you can customize the view options by selecting “View” in the top menu. Here, you can choose the view style (e.g., icons, details, list), sort files and folders, and customize the layout.

Windows Update and Security:

Windows Update: Windows 11 automatically updates your system with the latest security patches and features. To manage Windows Update settings, go to “Settings” > “Windows Update.” From here, you can check for updates, view update history, and customize update settings.

Security Settings: In the “Settings” app, you can access various security settings to enhance the protection of your system. Explore options such as Windows Security, Device Security, Firewall, and App & Browser Control to customize security settings according to your needs.

App Settings:

Default Apps: Go to “Settings” > “Apps” > “Default apps” to set your preferred default apps for various file types and protocols.

App Permissions: In the “Settings” app, you can manage app permissions. Navigate to “Settings” > “Privacy” to customize app permissions for things like camera, microphone, location, and more.

Microsoft Account Integration:

Sign-in Options: In the “Settings” app, navigate to “Accounts” > “Sign-in options” to manage your sign-in preferences. You can set up Windows Hello facial recognition, fingerprint authentication, PIN, and password options.

Sync Settings: If you’re using a Microsoft account, you can enable sync settings to have your preferences and settings synchronized across multiple devices. Go to “Settings” > “Accounts” > “Sync your settings” to customize sync options.

Remember, Windows 11 provides a wide range of customization options, and these steps cover only the basics. Feel free to explore the various settings and options in the Settings app to further personalize your Windows11 experience.