Windows Subscription Activation Update

• Subscription Activation helps ensure that a copy of Windows licensed via a User Subscription is being used in compliance with the license terms.
• Subscription Activation can also upgrade Windows Pro to Windows Enterprise edition without downloading additional components and without a reboot.
• Although only required in a few scenarios today, Subscription Activation will become more broadly required over time and affect more organizations.

Windows Subscription Activation, sometimes called Azure Active Directory–based Activation, performs two functions for organizations deploying certain Windows licenses: It activates Windows Enterprise edition to ensure it is deployed as licensed and is not counterfeit, and it can also recognize a Windows Pro edition and automatically upgrade it to Enterprise edition. Today, customers purchasing User Subscription Licenses (User SLs) for Windows Enterprise often have the option to use activation methods other than Windows Subscription Activation, but over time, Subscription Activation will likely be mandated for more and more scenarios.