We have already seen how to upgrade or activate Windows 8 earlier. But Windows 8 Enterprise Edition does not offer an option to enter your serial number during installation. In my case, when you click on “Activate” it tried for few minutes and gave me an error DNS name does not exist.  Windows Activation is the initial process by which a Windows running on a PC is determined to be properly licensed and genuine, and it’s really quick and easy, and every Windows user should do it. Here is a way to activate Windows 8 Enterprise Edition. But of course, you can follow this procedure for activating any version or edition of Windows, including Windows 7 and Windows Vista.

Activate Windows 8 Enterprise Edition

If you have installed Windows 8 Enterprise Edition, you will now want to activate it. There are two ways to do it. One via the Internet and other by using the Phone.

To do so, open an elevated Command prompt as follows:

Activate Windows over the Internet

Next, type in SLUI.EXE 3 and hit Enter.

This will open the Windows Activation dialog box. You can enter the serial number here.

Type in the serial number and click on Activate. You will be required to be connected to the Internet.

Activate Windows by Phone

If you wish to activate Windows by phone, type SLUI.EXE 4 instead. This will open up a box that will let you activate your Windows via the telephone.

Select your country from the drop-down menu and click on Next.

Here you will get to see some toll-free phone numbers which you can call. You will required to give the mentioned numbers to the other person, who will in turn give you a Confirmation ID, which you will need to enter. Once done, click on Activate.

Once activated, you may wish to view the Licensing Status and Activation ID of your Windows OS with slmgr.vbs.

As mentioned, you can follow this procedure for activation any version or edition of Windows, including Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Go here if you want to learn how to change your product license key in Windows.