how to tell if windows was activated

[tremmor]

A friend had windows 8 from a Dell computer. He finished a build today, installed the
windows 8 and used the same key and said it took the key. I said no,, you are just getting a
trial ver. Will still have to buy it. He doesn't believe it. Where in windows do you look to show him
it still needs activation with a valid key. He thinks he's good to go.

 

[johnb35]

He won't be able to activate it. It will tell you in system properties.

 

[Okedokey]

Ring them, they'll activate, keys 1, 1, 1.

 

[spirit]

Microsoft Product Activation over the phone is much easier and much less painful than it used to be. If you ring them they will activate it for you.

 

[DMGrier]

Every time I have seen Windows 8.+ in a trail mode there will be a build number in the bottom right corner, if not then it usually did activate.