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I am building a new PC. I still have my retail copy of Windows 8 and I already talked to Microsoft, they said I can still use it and even upgrade to Windows 10 on a whole new PC with it, but I needed to activate it over the phone and it would deactivate on my current PC.
I have never used Windows without pretty much instantly activating it, so I was just curious if anyone could tell me how long you can use Windows without activating it?
Just wanted to run my new PC for a week or two to make sure everything works and doesn't break before deactivating my old PC... So if something dies and I have to RMA it over several weeks I am not left without a PC.
Thanks
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2016-11-13, 01:13 AM #1Titan
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How long can you use Windows without activating it?
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2016-11-13, 01:19 AM #2Over 9000!
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My HTPC has windows 10 still not activated, after a while you get a logo on bottom right nagging you to upgrade but otherwise everything else is as normal. I probably am just gonna leave it, really doesnt bother me.
To answer your question, you can use unactivated windows forever.
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2016-11-13, 01:19 AM #3Mechagnome
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Forrver unless you get fed up with microsoft activate now watermark? Also any chance you getting strange cmd popup for second on nin activated win10?
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2016-11-13, 05:07 AM #4Brewmaster
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Back in the day, Windows XP locked after one month without activation. But since Windows 7 you just get a black desktop background and the watermark. I think you also got some restrictions in windows update, but it's been a long time since i had to deal with that.
Why do something simple, when there is a complicated way?
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2016-11-13, 05:20 AM #5Titan
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Cool thanks, thanks for all the replies
Originally Posted by Biernot
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2016-11-13, 11:14 AM #6The Patient
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I've had Windows 8.1 for years without activate it and neither get a black desktop background nor the watermark. Ofc I didn't use any activation software either. So I think you are safe. You cant change the theme (colors, wallpaper, etc.) though.
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2016-11-13, 01:40 PM #7Herald of the Titans
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Can you install Windows without the code anyway?
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2016-11-13, 01:47 PM #8Herald of the Titans
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Yes you can install Windows and then activate it later Originally Posted by Serpha
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2016-11-15, 05:42 AM #9Banned
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Or just never activate it. Originally Posted by pansertjald
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