Unactivated windows 10

[ivanteng880]

Hi, I'm going to build my first PC (Yay:D) but I'm out of money to buy a windows 10 activation key. And my friend told me that you don't have to buy a key, you can just use an unactivated version of Windows 10, So I asked him if there is any downside to an unactivated version of Windows 10. But he said he don't know. And I've been google online for any downside that an unactivated windows 10 will have, and the only thing that I can find is the cosmetics, such as desktop, locked screen, etc. But I just want to make sure. Please tell me all the Cons an unactivated windows 10 will have. And do I still get all the windows updates? Does it limit the system performance? Can I still install and update applications? Does it have an in-game disadvantage(I play a lot of games, Like a lot of them)? And how long can I use an unactivated windows 10 for? 

 

Thank you guys so much

[Hashiba]

you'll be fine, it just locks you out of cosmetic stuff such as desktop wallpapers but for gaming it should be fine. It's annoying thou 

[mail929]

It's pretty much just cosmetic changes, but they can decide to lock down your installation any time after 30 days, though they haven't been doing it so far.

[AskTJ]

It will work, but you miss out on personalizing your computer. You can buy a Windows sub key on eBay for around $10. Search up Windows 10 key and you can activate your Windows with that key. It gets delivered to your email or eBay messages. Don't expect a DVD to show up.

[Greenish]

34 minutes ago, ivanteng880 said:

Hi, I'm going to build my first PC (Yay:D) but I'm out of money to buy a windows 10 activation key. And my friend told me that you don't have to buy a key, you can just use an unactivated version of Windows 10, So I asked him if there is any downside to an unactivated version of Windows 10. But he said he don't know. And I've been google online for any downside that an unactivated windows 10 will have, and the only thing that I can find is the cosmetics, such as desktop, locked screen, etc. But I just want to make sure. Please tell me all the Cons an unactivated windows 10 will have. And do I still get all the windows updates? Does it limit the system performance? Can I still install and update applications? Does it have an in-game disadvantage(I play a lot of games, Like a lot of them)? And how long can I use an unactivated windows 10 for? 

 

Thank you guys so much

The only difference of activated windows and unactivated windows is a watermark in the bottom left corner of the screen. Other people are saying that there are limits to cosmetic features. (You can still set the desktop bg and lock screens by right clicking on the image)

[fringie]

Pretty much what everyone here is saying. You might find some "pro" features don't work but nothing the average user will notice. I've known quite a few people who have done this and think I have done this in the past too. You get one month of full functionality and you can extend it by doing this - https://www.top-password.com/blog/extend-windows-trial-period-from-30-to-120-days/ . I'm sure you'll be fine until you can afford a key.

[laptopnoob678]

On 31/05/2018 at 4:42 AM, AskTJ said:

It will work, but you miss out on personalizing your computer. You can buy a Windows sub key on eBay for around $10. Search up Windows 10 key and you can activate your Windows with that key. It gets delivered to your email or eBay messages. Don't expect a DVD to show up.

Those "ex-OEM" keys aren't really legit. They're against Microsoft ToS, and Microsoft makes no money from the sale.

 

If you're gonna go that route, you might as well just pirate Windows and save $10 - it's just as legit.