In this article, you will learn how to temporarily disable the notification and on-screen message that Windows needs to be activated (if you have not activated your copy of the system yet). This can be done through the Services utility or the Windows Registry Editor. Keep in mind that the only way to permanently get rid of such notifications is to activate Windows.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using the Services Utility
Step 1. Open the Start Menu
Click on the Windows logo in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 2. In the Start menu search bar, type services
The search will begin for the "Services" utility, which can be used to start and end system processes.
Step 3. Click on Services
It's a gear-shaped icon at the top of the Start menu. The Services window will open.
Step 4. Scroll down and click Software Protection
You will find this service in section "Z".
Some computers call this service "sppsvc"
Step 5. Click on the "Properties" icon
This folder-shaped icon is located under the View menu in the upper-left side of the window. A new window will open.
Step 6. Click Stop
It's in the middle of the left side of the window. The Software Protection Service will stop working.
If the specified button is grayed out, edit the registry
Step 7. Click OK
This button is at the bottom of the window. Activation notifications will not open until you restart or refresh your computer (after which you will have to disable the service again).
Method 2 of 3: Using Registry Editor
Step 1. Open the Start Menu
Click on the Windows logo in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 2. In the Start menu search bar, type regedit
This will search for the Registry Editor utility.
Step 3. Click on regedit
This icon, shaped like a set of blue dice, can be found at the top of the Start menu.
Step 4. Click Yes when prompted
The Registry Editor window will open.
Step 5. Open the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" folder
Click the icon
to the left of the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" folder (at the top left of the Registry Editor window).
If you see indents and other folders under the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" folder, the specified folder is already open
Step 6. Open the "SYSTEM" folder
It's at the bottom of the folder list, inside the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder.
Step 7. Open the folder "CurrentControlSet"
Step 8. Open the "services" folder
A long list of folders will appear on the screen.
Step 9. Scroll down and select the "sppsvc" folder
Click on this folder to display its contents on the right side of the window.
Step 10. Select the "Start" file
It's at the bottom of the file list on the right side of the window.
Step 11. Click Edit
This menu is in the upper left corner of the Registry Editor window. A dropdown menu will open.
Step 12. Click on Modify
It's near the top of the drop-down menu. A new window will open.
Step 13. In the window, enter 4
This will turn off activation notifications.
Step 14. Click OK
This button is at the bottom of the window. Activation notifications will not open until you restart or refresh your computer (after which you will have to re-edit the registry).
Method 3 of 3: How to activate Windows
Step 1. Open the Start Menu
Click on the Windows logo in the lower left corner of the screen.
Step 2. Open "Options"
To do this, click on the gear-shaped icon on the left side of the Start menu.
Step 3. Click on Update & Security
This round arrow icon is at the bottom of the Options window.
Step 4. Click on Activation
This tab is located on the left side of the window.
Step 5. Activate your copy of Windows
This can be done in one of two ways, depending on whether you need to buy a key or update the system for free:
- free upgrade: Click "Troubleshoot", enter your email address and password for your Microsoft account, if prompted, click "Activate Windows", and then click "Activate" when prompted;
- buying a key: Click "Go to Store", under the version of Windows you want, click "Buy" and enter your billing information.
Step 6. Restart your computer
Click Start
> "Nutrition"
> Restart. When your computer restarts, your copy of Windows will be activated.