Need to activate Windows? Microsoft just eliminated an option I've relied on for years

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

Report: Microsoft quietly kills official way to activate Windows 11/10 without internet

There were a few ways to activate Windows 11/10 officially. However, Microsoft has now apparently killed one such way without ...

Killjoy Microsoft Shuts Down Windows 11 Activation Without An Internet Connection

Microsoft has seemingly disabled phone call activation for Windows 11, and perhaps older versions as well, making it ...

Microsoft ends phone activation for Windows, pushes users to online-only portal

Microsoft has silently discontinued its phone-based activation system for Windows and Office products, forcing users into an ...

Microsoft’s Quiet Shift Ends Phone Activation, Leaving Offline Windows Users With Fewer Options

Microsoft has quietly taken another step toward an entirely online ecosystem, effectively ending phone-based activation for ...
Ars Technica

Microsoft says you can’t activate Windows 10/11 with old Windows 7/8 keys anymore

Ugh this kinda sucks but I guess it doesn't really matter. I had a bunch of Windows 7 keys from 2009 that have been great with 10 and 11. I get that this free ride is over but it still sucks. It ...
TweakTown

Windows 7, 8, 8.1 keys can now activate Windows 10

Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10565 released yesterday with numerous functional improvements, but also a key change in the activation scheme: Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 product keys can be used to ...