IGEL devices with Windows 10 IoT receive a Microsoft Digital License and are initially activated at the IGEL warehouse.
When a snapshot is created, the system image is generalized and the activation is canceled. When a snapshot is uploaded or downloaded, the system is activated by connecting to a Microsoft online service if Internet access is available; see more under No Activation after Installation of Snapshot. However, running the device in an environment without Internet access is also possible.
If the device is never connected to the Internet, it remains in the state "deferred activation", and the device can be operated without any restrictions. If activation fails, the device goes into the state "not activated"; in this case, a watermark may be displayed.
To determine the current state of the Windows activation, you have two possibilities::
Right-click the Windows start menu and select System.
In the base information, under Windows activation, you find the current state of the Windows activation.
The following states are possible:
- Windows is activated. Message: "Windows is activated."
- Deferred activation. Message: "Connect to the Internet to activate Windows."
- Not activated. Message: "Windows is not activated."
Double-click 
in the Windows taskbar to bring up the IGEL Device Information and select Windows Activation.
The following information is displayed:
- License Status
- License Status Reason
- Last Activation Error