Windows 10 on the Cheap: Where and how reliable?

[FUR1AN]

Hey all,

 

I am sure there is information out there somewhere on this but I was hoping for a quick hitter. Where is a good place to grab windows 10 home or pro, at a heavy discount. Furthermore, how safe are these downloads, are they permanent, will I get hunted down by Microsoft and deactivated...etc.?

 

A couple options I have heard is Kinguin.com and GamingDragons.com

 

I have no interest in paying $200 for windows software but also don't want to download something that is going to infect my system or just deactivate one day.

 

Any input is appreciated.

 

Thanks!

[ProjectBox153]

You can just run Windows without activating it. 

[Ophidio]

My suggestion is the microsoft software swap over on reddit, it's going to be way more reliable than any site ling Kinguin, G2A, or Gaming Dragons.

[Daniel644]

there is FREE if you don't bother with activating and don't mind a watermark and a few menu's being greyed out, outside of that you have Kinquin and several others, never had one NOT work.

[FUR1AN]

1 minute ago, Ophidio said:

My suggestion is the microsoft software swap over on reddit, it's going to be way more reliable than any site ling Kinguin, G2A, or Gaming Dragons.

can you link it? I am not fluent with Reddit (I know, gasp, a pc enthusiast who doesn't use reddit).

[WQXGAisStillGreat]

If you have an active license of either Windows 7 or 8(.1), you can still upgrade to the equivalent windows 10 license for free under the 'assistive technologies' stipulation (the software is no different.)

 

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/microsoft-windows-10-free-upgrade-offer-assistive-features/ 

 

Edit: Looks like MS is closing the door for this on Dec. 31 - but there's still time!

Edited December 15, 2017 by jeremywork

[Cyracus]

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 I've had 3 machines running windows 10 without keys for over a year, soft locks some customization features (like desktop background, can still change things if you're creative) all the important functionality remains

[Princess Luna]

Win 10 is free to use, I mean sure you can't change your wallpaper but who cares

[burnttoastnice]

Just now, Cyracus said:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 I've had 3 machines running windows 10 without keys for over a year, soft locks some customization features (like desktop background, can still change things if you're creative) all the important functionality remains

How's the update situation in win10 when unactivated?

[FUR1AN]

2 minutes ago, jeremywork said:

If you have an active license of either Windows 7 or 8(.1), you can still upgrade to the equivalent windows 10 license for free under the 'assistive technologies' stipulation (the software is no different.)

 

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/microsoft-windows-10-free-upgrade-offer-assistive-features/ 

The software is going on a new rig I am building, I currently have win 10 on my laptop already.

[Cyracus]

Just now, burnttoastnice said:

How's the update situation in win10 when unactivated?

everything works normally except the personalization menu, absolutely no problems that I have found

[Beowulff83]

23 minutes ago, burnttoastnice said:

How's the update situation in win10 when unactivated?

Everything works as normal except I cant do windows personalize "change my background".  I also participate in the windows insider program under release preview, meaning I get the new patches and updates slightly before everyone else.  Insider program is also free to join, although it locks out the disablement of some of the more intrusive windows 10 features.

 

33 minutes ago, Princess Cadence said:

Win 10 is free to use, I mean sure you can't change your wallpaper but who cares

I was able to change my background after certain updates, the watermark disappeared for a short time and I quickly switched it.  When the watermark came back the background I selected was still there but I cannot change it again.

[Daniel644]

22 hours ago, burnttoastnice said:

How's the update situation in win10 when unactivated?

still gets all version updates like any other machine, My desktop that is over a year unactivated just did some updates after a power outage the other day and is bitching at me again with reminders to restart to do updates.

[Enessi]

I bought my key fro this website. still running it today. Obviously there is always a small risk when you buy something like a software key from a non licensed website but even so 36$ isn't bad

https://www.bonanza.com/listings/Windows-10-Pro-32-64BIT-Professional-License-Key-Original-Code-Oem-Scrap-Pc/533590720

[FUR1AN]

4 minutes ago, Enessi said:

I bought my key fro this website. still running it today. Obviously there is always a small risk when you buy something like a software key from a non licensed website but even so 36$ isn't bad

https://www.bonanza.com/listings/Windows-10-Pro-32-64BIT-Professional-License-Key-Original-Code-Oem-Scrap-Pc/533590720

Thanks I'll take a look.

[Cyracus]

On 12/14/2017 at 6:02 PM, Beowulff83 said:

I cant do windows personalize "change my background"

right click a picture and select "set as desktop background" should be available even when personalization is locked 

[Rakso]

Probably gonna be trying this no key windows. But In case for whatever reason I decide to get an OEM key from a website such as Kinguin. I see that you guys are saying you will still get updates and such. Later on when Windows 11 or whatever comes out. Would I be able to upgrade for free as with a retail version?

Also I've heard that the OEM keys from sites like that are a little more exposed in terms of security? Or missing some stuff? I cant remember and am not savvy when it comes to the innerworkings of Windows.

[Tech22]

On 12/14/2017 at 8:25 PM, Daniel644 said:

there is FREE if you don't bother with activating and don't mind a watermark and a few menu's being greyed out, outside of that you have Kinquin and several others, never had one NOT work.

You can disable the watermark in the Registry.

Do Method One: Link

[Daniel644]

On 12/24/2017 at 8:35 PM, Rakso said:

Probably gonna be trying this no key windows. But In case for whatever reason I decide to get an OEM key from a website such as Kinguin. I see that you guys are saying you will still get updates and such. Later on when Windows 11 or whatever comes out. Would I be able to upgrade for free as with a retail version?

Also I've heard that the OEM keys from sites like that are a little more exposed in terms of security? Or missing some stuff? I cant remember and am not savvy when it comes to the innerworkings of Windows.

a key is a key, it is no more secure or less secure then any other number all it does is tell Microsoft you paid for a copy, it has NOTHING to do with accessing your copy of Windows beyond verifying that you paid for it. also according to Microsoft Windows 10 is the "last version of Windows", it will simply continue to get updated with new builds like the Fall Creators Update and the Anniversary Edition before it, there won't be a "Windows 11" as for being able to "upgrade to whatever replaces it for free" that is simply unknown for ANY copy of Windows paid for or not (remember Windows 10 is the first Time Microsoft gave FREE UPGRADES to the 2 previous versions, prior to that you might be able to get a free upgrade if you bought your computer that was "Vista Ready" in the months prior to Vista launching, giving Windows 10 away to the last 2 generations of Windows and even the NEVER requiring that you activate it to use it are completely NEW ideas no one knows if Microsoft will keep that stance in Future OS development outside of Windows 10, also it will be YEARS if ever that something "replaces" Windows 10 and who knows what kind of offers Microsoft will do if and when that day comes, odds are you won't still have this computer anyway by the time that happens.

 

1 hour ago, Tech22 said:

You can disable the watermark in the Registry.

Do Method One: Link

the Key it tells you to navigate to and the key the pictures navigate to are different, I followed the pictures, I assume it won't make it go away till I reboot, which i will do later when I switch the surge protector out for the new UPS I just got today (so my Mining Rig doesn't go down for half a day everytime the power flickers for a second