When Microsoft first launched the Windows operating system, installing it was only a matter of copying the program onto a disk. You didn't have to verify your copy of Windows. Starting with Windows XP ...

Usually, you'd activate Windows 11 (or 10) using the Settings app to enter the product key. However, if you're in an enterprise environment and you have a specific type of activation key, you can also ...

A new BitRAT malware distribution campaign is underway, exploiting users looking to activate pirated Windows OS versions for free using unofficial Microsoft license activators. BitRAT is a powerful ...

Microsoft is closing the loophole that allowed older Windows product keys to activate Windows 10 and Windows 11. This loophole has existed since Windows 10 first launched as a "free" upgrade for ...

At least for now, though, it seems like this change will only apply to future Windows versions. We were able to activate a fresh Windows 11 Pro 22H2 install with a Windows 8 Pro product key as of this ...

Microsoft warned us last month that our favorite Windows upgrade loophole was over, but now it’s official: The activation servers no longer let you use Windows 7 or 8 license keys to activate Windows ...

Microsoft previously offered a free upgrade offer to Windows 10 which ended back in 2016 however, users with old Windows 7 or 8 keys could get themselves onto Windows 10 using the free installation ...

Microsoft has confirmed that users can no longer use old Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 keys to activate Windows 11. And that applies not only to Canary builds, as it was last month—from now on, only genuine ...

Windows 10 PowerToys: How to activate and use the Mouse utilities app Your email has been sent Despite the continuing roll out of the Windows 11 update, users of Windows 10 still need their tweaks, ...

In December 2022, we published a short PSA, reminding users they could still activate Windows 11 and 10 with valid Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 keys. This practice dates back to 2015 when Microsoft launched ...