3 ms·

You already can use Windows for free. It has very few restrictions if you don't activate, including being unable to change the background image in settings (bu

You already can use Windows for free. It has very few restrictions if you don't activate, including being unable to change the background image in settings (but you can do it other ways trivially) and it has a watermark that indicates it hasn't been activated yet (someone has probably already figured out how to remove that). You get updates and there is no nag screen that constantly bothers you. https://www.howtogeek.com/244678/you-dont-need-a-product-key-to-install-and-use-windows-10/ https://www.howtogeek.com/244678/you-dont-need-a-product-key...

justsomehnguy 3y ago
> background image in settings (but you can do it other ways trivially Just select a picture file in the Explorer (or a picture in the most browsers), right click, set as desktop wallpaper. Yes, the only thing blocked is the official settings menu. > watermark that indicates it hasn't been activated yet (someone has probably already figured out how to remove that Which is quite amusing because it's really easier to install non-home version and use KMS activation than patch (and maintain) the anti-watermark patches. Still, there is a difference between running an illegal copy and legal and free copy.
SteveNuts 3y ago
Can you receive updates through windows update officially? I remember that used to be locked down without registration
- adventured 3y ago
  The non-activated OS will continue to receive major updates including updates related to security. Microsoft isn't well served to have a lot of non-activated copies out there acting as at-risk security zombies.
- vladvasiliu 3y ago
  Yes, you can. I'm less sure about "receiving updates for other ms products", but I never really knew what that did anyway.
jwells89 3y ago
Unlicensed Windows also doesn’t let you turn on dark mode which is irritating with how blindingly bright modern light mode UI designs have been ever since “flat and square” became the dominant UI design in Windows 8. I wish the more middle-colored light mode designs of the past would return.

justsomehnguy 3y ago

> background image in settings (but you can do it other ways trivially Just select a picture file in the Explorer (or a picture in the most browsers), right click, set as desktop wallpaper. Yes, the only thing blocked is the official settings menu. > watermark that indicates it hasn't been activated yet (someone has probably already figured out how to remove that Which is quite amusing because it's really easier to install non-home version and use KMS activation than patch (and maintain) the anti-watermark patches. Still, there is a difference between running an illegal copy and legal and free copy.

SteveNuts 3y ago

Can you receive updates through windows update officially? I remember that used to be locked down without registration

adventured 3y ago
The non-activated OS will continue to receive major updates including updates related to security. Microsoft isn't well served to have a lot of non-activated copies out there acting as at-risk security zombies.
vladvasiliu 3y ago
Yes, you can. I'm less sure about "receiving updates for other ms products", but I never really knew what that did anyway.

jwells89 3y ago

Unlicensed Windows also doesn’t let you turn on dark mode which is irritating with how blindingly bright modern light mode UI designs have been ever since “flat and square” became the dominant UI design in Windows 8. I wish the more middle-colored light mode designs of the past would return.