Downsides of Unactivated Windows 10

[TechTippee]

What a time to be alive. You can use Windows 10 without paying a dime for the privilege! But there's a catch...

 

My question is, what limitations come with using an unactivated copy of Windows? I've found information on a couple of cosmetic things: the watermark, and the Personalize feature being disabled. Is that all I have to lose? Sure, I could get a key for far cheaper than the $80-$100 most retailers demand, but saving money and time waiting is appealing.

[Guest]

Basically yes, Microsoft wanted as many people to get Windows 10 when it came out so made upgrading from Windows 7 free and even if it's not activated its basically the same.

[Oshino Shinobu]

It's basically just the personalisation options. 

 

I think you also miss out on official Microsoft tech support, but not that many non-business users actually use that. 

[PorkishPig]

You can find a list of missing features at https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-long-can-you-use-windows-10-without-activation.

 

You can buy a valid key on eBay for around $8. They are usually Windows 7 OEM keys from decommissioned workstations. Most the keys are considered grey market, as selling them breaks Microsoft's ToS, but I've never seen a key purchased from eBay get deactivated.

[Snowy Fox]

you also have the annoying for some people activate windows watermark

[TechTippee]

2 minutes ago, PorkishPig said:

You can find a list of missing features at https://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-long-can-you-use-windows-10-without-activation.

 

You can buy a valid key on eBay for around $8. They are usually Windows 7 OEM keys from decommissioned workstations. Most the keys are considered grey market, as selling them breaks Microsoft's ToS, but I've never seen a key purchased from eBay get deactivated.

The article is short and to the point. Love it. Though the comment that "some apps and features will stop working" gets at the heart of why I made this thread. I've seen it around, but I haven't seen anyone take the time to explain what stops working, even on Microsoft's forums.

 

Apparently it's nothing the average user will miss, but if anyone has specifics, I'd love to hear it.

[.Apex.]

22 minutes ago, Oshino Shinobu said:

I think you also miss out on official Microsoft tech support, but not that many non-business users actually use that. 

It's useless most of the time since their troubleshooting steps are predetermined based on the vague scope of your error without having to require a person to use or have any technical expertise to solve your particular issue, it's the same kind of steps they provide online on their forums