What Does Activation Even Mean?
Activating Windows means registering your status as a paid, licensed user. When you buy a new copy of Windows, it usually comes with a license key. Alternatively, you can have a digital entitlement linked to your Microsoft account. Some computers have a hardware-based entitlement built-in. For example, you don’t have to activate Windows when you reinstall it on modern laptops. That’s because Windows “knows” that laptop is entitled to a license. When you install Windows on a clean computer, you have the option to “skip” activation and get a code later. If you upgrade from an eligible licensed version of Windows, that license is transferred over and activation happens instantly. So the only time the issue of activation ever rears its head is during a clean install of Windows. That’s if there’s no hardware-based entitlement and no digital entitlements. The normal reaction to this situation is to buy a Windows license and activate your copy. If you choose not to, a number of key things will happen.
The Activation Watermark
After 30 days of running Windows without activating it, you’ll notice a watermark appear at the bottom-right of the desktop. The watermark simply says “Activate Windows. Go to Settings to activate Windows”. This is a constant reminder that Windows needs activation. Beyond simply being visible on the desktop, this watermark doesn’t interfere with normal Windows operation.
Personalization Options Are Disabled
Everyone loves to personalize their operating system so that it really feels like “your” computer. Therefore it makes sense that the ability to customize how Windows looks and feels is disabled unless you activate it. In the non-activated scenario, you can choose between a small set of themes that ship with Windows. However, all of the individual customization options are disabled such as wallpaper, theme, Start menu color, transparency etc. When you try to change any individual settings you’ll see all options grayed out. There’s also a message reminding you that you need to activate Windows.
Activation Reminders in the Settings App
The Windows Settings app is the central place you’ll go to make any changes to Windows. Every time you open this app there will be a notice that you haven’t yet activated Windows. There’s also a handy “Activate now” button where you can enter a key, or buy a license.
Activation Banner Popups
On a system that’s not activated, you’ll see an activation reminder pop up from time to time. This is a large banner that fills the center of the screen. It lets you know that the trial license is about to expire and that Windows needs activation. You can dismiss this message every time it pops up but it will return periodically, interrupting whatever you were doing.
Potentially Limited Updates
At the time of writing, we were able to download system and security updates on an inactivated copy of Windows 11 with no issues. However, there’s no guarantee that this will remain the case in the future. Microsoft can choose to block updates for unlicensed copies of Windows at any time. Should critical security updates no longer be available to unlicensed copies of Windows, you may fall victim to malware. Malicious software that takes advantage of any new exploits hackers may discover in the operating system.
“Freemium” Windows Isn’t Official
Microsoft stipulates that only those with a paid Windows license are entitled to use it. In other words, Microsoft may choose to look the other way at the moment. Officially, however, they can change their minds at any time and lock users with unlicensed copies out. However, having such “soft” restrictions is nothing new for the company. For example, although the official free upgrade window for Windows 10 from earlier versions has closed, users could still go ahead and upgrade. Microsoft was clearly aware of the loophole being used but made no efforts to close it. We can only speculate why the company has decided to relax its attitude towards Windows activation. Still, since Windows 10 it has clearly moved to a subscription-based software model. After all, you can still buy Windows Store apps, subscribe to Office 365, or play Game Pass titles. Even on a copy of Windows that hasn’t been activated. So even these machines represent a source of income. Image credit: Pixabay | All screenshots by Sydney Butler
