What does "Activate Windows mean"

[kct6618]

I installed a new version of Windows 8 from Vista using purchase product key. It installed successfully and my name and account name show up. At the top of the screen in red it states "You need to activate Windows before you can personalize your PC???? What does this mean

Kera

 

[rgd1101]

http/windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows#1TC=windows-7

 

[Captainawzome]

http/windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows#1TC=windows-7

You need to contact microsoft and tell them a lot of your system information.

Go to their website and either call or start a chat with someone. Hope this helps