---
title: How to Activate Windows 8.1
description: "Windows 8.1 Professional 1. Select the Start button, type PC settings, and then select PC settings from the list of results. 2. Choose Activate Windows. [![1679307932 6418349c89f94 1 How to Activate Windows 8.1](https://i0.wp.com/bcdkey.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1679307932_6418349c89f94-1.png?resize=386%2C521&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/bcdkey.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1679307932_6418349c89f94-1.png?ssl=1) 3. On the Activate Windows screen, click **Enter…"
url: "https://bcdkey.net/helps/how-to-activate-windows-8-1/"
updated: "2025-08-06"
category: Windows and Office
---

# How to Activate Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 Professional

1. Select the Start button, type PC settings, and then select PC settings from the list of results.

2. Choose Activate Windows.

[![1679307932 6418349c89f94 1 How to Activate Windows 8.1](https://i0.wp.com/bcdkey.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1679307932_6418349c89f94-1.png?resize=386%2C521&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/bcdkey.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1679307932_6418349c89f94-1.png?ssl=1)

3. On the Activate Windows screen, click **Enter key**.

[![1679307994 641834dab3212 How to Activate Windows 8.1](https://i0.wp.com/bcdkey.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1679307994_641834dab3212.png?resize=622%2C453&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/bcdkey.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1679307994_641834dab3212.png?ssl=1)

4. Enter your **Windows 8.1 product key**, select **Next**. At this point, just** **follow the on-screen instructions to activate Windows 8.1.

[![1679308007 641834e73c58d How to Activate Windows 8.1](https://i0.wp.com/bcdkey.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1679308007_641834e73c58d.png?resize=766%2C378&ssl=1)](https://i0.wp.com/bcdkey.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1679308007_641834e73c58d.png?ssl=1)

**If you prefer clean installation, please refer to **[**How to perform Windows 8.1 Clean Installation**](https://bcdkey.net/helps/how-to-perform-clean-installation-on-windows-7-and-8-1-pro/)**.**

***Note**: In case you need a Windows 8 ISO, please proceed to this link. Here's an *[*alternative link*](https://windowstan.com/win/download-windows-8-iso/)*. *