Download & Activation Guide
A reference partners can share with their own customers after checkout.
This guide describes Microsoft's own download and activation tools. Black
Saints supplies the genuine key; installation media and activation servers are operated by
Microsoft.
Windows 11 (Home & Pro)
- Go to Microsoft's official Windows 11 download page and choose the appropriate installation media — the Media Creation Tool for a bootable USB, or a direct download for an in-place upgrade.
- Run the installer and follow the on-screen setup. When prompted for a product key, enter the key exactly as delivered — no dashes need to be typed manually if pasting.
- Once Windows finishes installing, go to Settings → System → Activation to confirm the license shows as active.
- If activation doesn't complete automatically (no internet access during setup, or the device was previously licensed differently), use Settings → System → Activation → Change product key and re-enter the key.
Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business
- Go to office.com/setup and sign in with (or create) a Microsoft account.
- Enter the product key when prompted. This links the license to that Microsoft account.
- Download and run the Office installer from the account's "My Office" page.
- Open any Office app (Word, Excel) and sign in with the same Microsoft account to complete activation.
Microsoft 365 Business Standard (subscription seat)
- The end customer receives an invitation email to the Microsoft 365 admin center for the seat assigned to them.
- Accept the invitation and set up the account, then download the Office apps from portal.office.com.
- Sign in to any Office app with the Microsoft 365 account to activate the full subscription seat, including cloud services (OneDrive, Exchange Online).
Troubleshooting activation
If a key is rejected as "already in use" or "invalid" and the customer hasn't previously activated it themselves, see the Refund Policy to request a replacement. For a key that's genuine but can't reach Microsoft's activation servers (offline environments, certain enterprise networks), see Get Confirmation ID Online for the phone-activation path.
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