Install and activate Windows 10 Home

This guide shows you how to install Windows 10 Home and activate it with the product key you received from us by email. There are two routes: activating an existing Windows 10 installation (takes only a few minutes) or a complete clean installation from a USB stick. Both routes are explained step by step here.

System requirements

Windows 10 Home runs on practically any current hardware. Before installing, briefly check the minimum requirements:

• Processor: 1 GHz or faster
• Memory: 1 GB (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
• Storage: at least 20 GB, 32 GB or more recommended
• Graphics: DirectX 9 capable graphics card with WDDM 1.0 driver
• Internet connection: required for activation

Note: It is essential that the installed edition matches the key. Your key activates only Windows 10 Home, not Pro. You can see which edition is installed under Settings > System > About.

Method 1: Activate an existing Windows 10 installation

If Windows 10 Home is already installed but not yet activated, simply entering the product key is enough. Make sure you have an internet connection.

1. Open Settings using the keyboard shortcut Windows + I or via the Start menu (gear icon).
2. Go to Update & Security > Activation.
3. Click Change product key.
4. Enter the 25-character product key from your email. It is best to copy it directly to avoid typing errors.
5. Click Next. Windows connects to the Microsoft servers and activates automatically.

The message "Windows is activated" then appears under Activation. This completes the setup.

Method 2: Clean installation with the Media Creation Tool

For a new PC or a fresh installation, first create bootable installation media. Microsoft's free Media Creation Tool does this automatically. You will find the link to the official download on our download page.

Create installation media

1. Connect an empty USB stick with at least 8 GB of storage.
2. Start the Media Creation Tool and accept the licence terms.
3. Select Create installation media for another PC.
4. Keep the language and architecture (usually 64-bit) and select the USB stick as the target. The tool downloads Windows 10 and makes the stick bootable.

Install Windows 10 Home

1. Boot the PC from the USB stick. You can usually reach the boot menu immediately after switching on by pressing F12, F11 or Esc.
2. Select your language and keyboard layout and click Install now.
3. Enter your product key as soon as the setup asks for it. Alternatively, click I don't have a product key and complete the activation after the installation using Method 1.
4. Select Windows 10 Home as the edition if the setup shows a choice.
5. Select Custom for a clean installation and follow the wizard through to the desktop.

Important: Before a clean installation, back up all personal files to an external drive. The custom installation deletes the system partition.

Common problems

• Key is rejected (e.g. error 0xC004F050): Usually the installed edition does not match the key. A Home key will not activate Windows 10 Pro. Check the edition under Settings > System > About.
• Typing errors: Watch out for mix-ups such as 'B' and '8' or 'Q' and '0'. If in doubt, copy the key directly from the email.
• No connection to the activation servers: Check your internet connection and try again after a few minutes. Windows often completes the activation automatically in the background.
• Activation after a hardware change: After major changes (e.g. a new motherboard), reactivation may be necessary. Use the troubleshooter under Update & Security > Activation.
• Want to upgrade to Pro? You will need a separate Windows 10 Pro key for this. The upgrade is then carried out without reinstalling via Change product key.

Help & support

If activation still does not work after following these steps, our activation help offers solutions for the most common error codes. Alternatively, you can reach our team directly via live chat. Support is free for 90 days after purchase. Please have your order number ready.