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| Dr.Agon:
Hey guys, So I messed up one of my PC's, (deleted something I shouldn't have) so I downloaded a win10 iso from the Microsoft website and stuck it on a usb drive, everything installed, got the drivers sorted, problem solved, right? Well, I went to the settings to set it up how I wanted and at the bottom of the page it says "activate Windows", or something, so using my other win10 PC, I pulled the product key and typed it in, "can't activate because we don't think you have a genuine copy of Windows" Can I activate this install? Do I need to? |
| Tech13:
Ok so we are delving into the legal licensing of Operating systems... This can get pretty deep but I will try to keep it simple Windows can be purchased multiple ways. 1) Machine license: good for that machine and that machine only. Like when you buy a Dell laptop and you can not take the copy of windows 10 to another computer. Normally only large computer manufacturers have access to these. 2) Retail license: Attaches to your Microsoft account and can be activated on a specified number of machines made clear at the time of purchase and transferable. Should you activate windows I say yes because you get more benefits. however you will have to pay for a license and it can get expensive. |
| DeadPark:
Windows 10 changed the limitations with unregistered copies. on older version windows would stop working after a while. However, starting with windows 10, you'll see a watermark in the corner and that is about it. they don't care anymore if you never register. I think there might be some minor settings, like you can't change the color of the task bar or some stupid little changes like that. but as long as you don't mind the watermark in the corner, you never NEED to activate windows 10. |
| wiggy:
You can’t just pull a product key from another activated windows machine. Iirc, the installation of Windows 10 that came on your computer originally, assuming you didn’t buy and install it, is basically paired with it. I don’t believe there’s even a way to move it from one machine to another. At least not a simple way. |
| Dr.Agon:
--- Quote from: wiggy on October 27, 2018, 03:46:07 PM ---You can’t just pull a product key from another activated windows machine. --- End quote --- It was worth a try... Oh well, only wasted 10 minutes Here's a thought, I have a genuine new copy of win8.1 with key, could I install that then upgrade/update to win10 and have an activated/fully licensed win10? |
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