License Glossary
What Is a Digital License?
A digital license is the modern activation method where Windows stores its activation state by pairing a hardware ID and/or Microsoft account instead of a product key.
Once an installation activates, Microsoft records the device's hardware fingerprint on its server; this is called a digital license (formerly digital entitlement).
Linking the digital license to your Microsoft account lets the Troubleshooter re-match it through your account after hardware-change activation issues. Linking is free and done via Settings → Accounts.
What you should know
- Activation state is stored on Microsoft's server with a hardware ID
- Linking to a Microsoft account eases hardware-change scenarios
- See the state under Settings → System → Activation