How to Check Windows Activation Status (4 Methods)
Four methods, increasing in detail: Settings (basic), slmgr /xpr (expiration), slmgr /dlv (verbose), and WMI queries (scripting). Use whichever matches your need.
Method 1: Settings (easiest)
- Press Win + I → System → Activation.
- Look for 'Activation state: Active' and the license type ('digital license' or 'product key').
- If 'Windows is not activated', you'll see an error code — note it for troubleshooting.
Method 2: slmgr /xpr (expiration check)
- Open elevated CMD.
- Run: slmgr /xpr
- 'The machine is permanently activated' = digital license (HWID or genuine).
- 'Volume activation will expire YYYY-MM-DD' = KMS lease.
Method 3: slmgr /dlv (verbose info)
- Run: slmgr /dlv
- Shows edition name, partial product key, activation ID, machine ID, KMS host, lease expiration, and rearm count.
- Use this output when troubleshooting activation errors.
Method 4: PowerShell / WMI
- Get-CimInstance SoftwareLicensingProduct -Filter "PartialProductKey IS NOT NULL" | Select Name, LicenseStatus
- LicenseStatus = 1 means Licensed. 0 = Unlicensed.
- Useful for scripted audits across multiple machines.
Frequently asked questions
▸What does 'License Status: Licensed' mean?
It means Windows is fully activated — either by digital license or an active KMS lease. No watermark, all features unlocked.
▸What's the difference between '/xpr' and '/dli'?
/xpr shows only the expiration status (permanent vs date). /dli shows basic license info. /dlv shows verbose info including the machine ID.
▸How do I know if my license is KMS vs HWID?
Run slmgr /dli — KMS licenses show 'VOLUME_KMSCLIENT' in the description. HWID/retail show 'RETAIL' or 'OEM_DM'.
▸Why does slmgr /xpr say 'cannot find license'?
The Software Protection service may not be running. Run: net start sppsvc then retry.
▸Does 'permanently activated' mean it will never expire?
Yes for digital licenses (HWID). For KMS, 'permanently activated' is rare and indicates a phone-activated MAK key, not a normal KMS lease.
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