Upgrading to win 11 without activating windows.

[kucharczykt]

I want to upgrade to windows 11 but I also don't want to pay $120 for windows (yes I know there's cheaper alternatives). Do I need to have an active account or can I get away without? I assume I will still have the watermark and limited customization.

[Pixelfie]

With the Pro version you can use it without MS account. With the Home version you need one, but that shouldn't be an issue. You will just be limited with the watermark and customization like you said. If you're fine with it do it like this, otherwise get a cheap key from a third party seller.

[kucharczykt]

5 minutes ago, Pixelfie said:

With the Pro version you can use it without MS account. With the Home version you need one, but that shouldn't be an issue. You will just be limited with the watermark and customization like you said. If you're fine with it do it like this, otherwise get a cheap key from a third party seller.

I realize this is a bit more in depth but before I upgrade I want to make sure all of my games and files will be accessable. The main games I care about are valorant, rocket league, and trackmania 2020. And the files I'll need are all word and PowerPoint docs.

[SupaKomputa]

always backup before you do it. all files under user folder will not be touched.

some of the programs will not be transfered, you need to reinstall them.

I can confirm steam and epic are ok, at least in my pc.

If you already have a activated windows 10 you don't need to reactivate, as long as you run the installer inside the old one.

[manikyath]

33 minutes ago, kucharczykt said:

I realize this is a bit more in depth but before I upgrade I want to make sure all of my games and files will be accessable. The main games I care about are valorant, rocket league, and trackmania 2020. And the files I'll need are all word and PowerPoint docs.

if a big part of your scope is gaming, the current message to hold by is: dont.

 

wait at least 6 months. yes it's released, but it's microsoft calling it a "release"... it's gonna take some time to mature.