Can I use Windows 10 without activating it ?

[arpitsri]

Okay so I have a preinstalled Windows 10 on my Laptop which is linked to my Microsoft Account, but I also want to use it on my Desktop which currently has Windows 7, so I was thinking of downloading it from the Microsoft Official Website but right now I don't have the required money to buy Windows 10 so can I use it without activating it.

I see that there are some limitations like watermark and no personalization but it really doesn't matter to me. But is there any time period till which I can only use unactivated Windows or I can use it forever ?
And yes will able to use Microsoft Services on unactivated version of Windows like using Windows Store, Xbox and updates etc.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I see that there are some limitations like watermark and no personalization but it really doesn't matter to me......These are the main limitations , some reports of other features being turned off including security updates.

 

[arpitsri]

I see that there are some limitations like watermark and no personalization but it really doesn't matter to me......These are the main limitations , some reports of other features being turned off including security updates.

Well if its like some security features turned off then I guess I should better stay with Windows 7.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

That's up to you , situations reported are mainly the watermark and personalization.

 

[atljsf]

i have used it for a couple months now, yes you can n use it without the license, you just have to get used to the watermark or visit kignwin and buy a cheap license from asia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h4UThO428I

remember that htose are oem licenses, if you like to change mainboards alot, new license is required for each new mainboard, almost guaranteed

also you can buy a retail version, alot more expensive but you can move it to a new mainboard as many times as you want, s each new mainboard you get has license and the old one you sell will go without a license

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Kinguin IS NOT AN AUTHORIZED SELLER OF WINDOWS KEYS AND THEY WILL BE BLACKLISTED.

My son's friend had 2 Windows 10 Pro licenses blacklisted after 6 AND A HALF MONTHS.

 

[BFG-9000]

If the Windows 7 install is legit, upgrading from either the USB tool or online from the assistive technologies page apparently still works and results in an activated Windows 10. They really are trying hard to give it away free.

Surprisingly, upgrading a non-legit 64-bit Windows 7 still also results in an activated Windows 10, although clearly Microsoft could rescind this at any time. It has worked for two years, but I've never seen a 32-bit upgrade activate, though.

Make an image of the Windows 7 before you start upgrading, so the worst-case is you'll have to reimage the 7 back if it doesn't work and all you 'll have lost is a little time.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Surprisingly, upgrading a non-legit 64-bit Windows 7 still also results in an activated Windows 10, although clearly Microsoft could rescind this at any time..........This was ended a long time ago.

 

[atljsf]

i once bought 4 licenses of windows xp, oem, on their boxes, with the coa, the dvd, all the stuff

i had to return them, someone already activated them before

buying on a store and online is more or less the same thing this days

or you use the windows without the license because microsoft knows it will happen and sort of allows it with some limittions now or you buy a license from microsfot or from another seller, you decide where to spend your money

be sure to buy with a warranty of refund if key is not valid or gets invalidated after 1 year

i wish microsoft made windows free or more cheap, volume licenses for 5 pcs very cheap, something like that, for most users, no license is the license they can afford

 

[arpitsri]

I guess I will stick to Windows 7 on my Desktop for now, and even if I have to buy Windows 10 then I will buy it directly from the Microsoft Store, that way it will be registered in my Microsoft Account and I can use it on any device I want.

 

[atljsf]

the license on micrsoft is oem afik, so it can't be used on all the devices you want the way you mention

what happens when you buy it associated to your account is that you log in on the pc when you install windows 10, and the thing gets activated immediately, you don't enter the 25 keys and letter from the serial number, that's it

if windows 7 is working for you, yes, use it, it will be supported for most things for at least 3 more years, end of support form microsoft comes in 2020 or 2022 iirc, possibly more, just as with win xp and 15 years of support more or less

 

[arpitsri]

the license on micrsoft is oem afik, so it can't be used on all the devices you want the way you mention

what happens when you buy it associated to your account is that you log in on the pc when you install windows 10, and the thing gets activated immediately, you don't enter the 25 keys and letter from the serial number, that's it

if windows 7 is working for you, yes, use it, it will be supported for most things for at least 3 more years, end of support form microsoft comes in 2020 or 2022 iirc, possibly more, just as with win xp and 15 years of support more or less

What I meant was that buying digitally from Microsoft Store makes that copy of Windows registered to our account, so like if we want to install windows on another device then sometimes it will activate itself automatically or we may have to call customer support in order to activate. So there is no limitations on how many devices we want to use Windows on if we buy digitally from MS Store.

 

[atljsf]

yes it is registered, associated to your mail

so when you log in on a new pc without license, once you enter your hotmail/live mail, it will detect the mainboard and put the license for you

but this license is oem

so you can't migrate it to a new pc, because it is oem, it gets asociated to the bios, the unique serial number and model of the mainboard, so you cna log in to another pc and it doesn't get activated with your license, it just applies to that pc

if the license is not oem, that is great, still expensive, here a home oem is 140 dollars bought from windows store

 

[tvfaces]

Okay so I have a preinstalled Windows 10 on my Laptop which is linked to my Microsoft Account, but I also want to use it on my Desktop which currently has Windows 7, so I was thinking of downloading it from the Microsoft Official Website but right now I don't have the required money to buy Windows 10 so can I use it without activating it.

I see that there are some limitations like watermark and no personalization but it really doesn't matter to me. But is there any time period till which I can only use unactivated Windows or I can use it forever ?
And yes will able to use Microsoft Services on unactivated version of Windows like using Windows Store, Xbox and updates etc.