Introduction

Windows computers need to check in with their licensing server every 180 days or the licence will expire.  The computer needs to be connected to the network for the activation to work which poses a problem since the University buildings were closed in March.  We have observed some situatoins where computers that are connected to the VPN don't update the licence and it has to be done manually.  This article advises how to renew the licence on your computer.

Requirements

• Microsoft Windows 10 registered by a University department/institution
• VPN software installed (either CSCS VPN or UIS VPN)
• You must be an administrator on the computer

Instructions

• Connect to the VPN (per instructions above)

• Click on the Start button and type cmd

• When the Command Prompt app appears, right click on it and select Run as Administrator

• When prompted Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device, click yes

• in the black command window that is open, paste in the following command (after the colon): slmgr -ato

• Press the Enter button on your keyboard and after about 5 seconds you should see a popup indicating that Windows has been activated.

• Close the black command prompt window