We are aware that the Windows operating system was not activated on all the UCT laptops that were distributed during the First Year Reception.

Affected laptops will either be presented with a Test Mode watermark across the screen and/or get a Windows not activated message.

Activate Windows on your laptop

You can activate Windows on your machine by following the two-part process outlined below. You need to be connected to the internet for the duration of this process.  

Part one: Obtain the Windows product key
  1. Right-click the Start button
     in the bottom left corner of your screen and click Run.
  2. In the Run dialog box, in the Open field, type cmd and click OK.
  3. The Select Command Prompt dialog box appears.
    • Type wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey and press Enter on your keyboard.
    • Highlight the listed product key that has the same format as the one in the image below and press Enter to copy it.
Part two: Activate Windows
  1. Right-click the Start button
     in the bottom left corner of your screen and click Settings.
  2. In the Windows Settings search bar
    , start typing Activation and select Activation settings from the available options.
  3. In the Activation window, click Change product key.
  4. Paste the product key that you copied in part one in the provided field and click Next.
  5. In the Activate Windows dialog box click Activate.
  6. You will receive a notification that Windows is activated.

Should you experience any issues once you have completed this process, please log a call with the IT Helpdesk using one of the following methods: