You don’t need a product activation key to install and use Windows 11. How is this possible? Are you surprised? Then read on.
For users of Windows desktops and laptops, there has always been a problem with activating Microsoft’s operating system. There are many pirate sites that offer you to download, install and even activate any version of Windows. Many users do so, or used to do so, forgetting about the security of their computer and personal data. It should be understood that there is no free cheese, even on the Internet. Yes, no one will ever give you something for free. Do you really think that some man will be so kind as to hack an operating system for you, put it in the public domain for free, and even activate it on your PC? It’s just honey and a spoonful. I understand that not everyone can understand the technological intricacies of hacking an operating system, but this process requires knowledge and time, and it certainly costs money. Don’t be surprised if, over time, your desktop or laptop starts to behave strangely – downloading something, opening some websites without permission. Over the past few years, this topic has become very relevant. Your laptop can be used by “good man” to launch DDoS attacks, send phishing links, or simply mine cryptocurrencies. Of course, no one will warn you about this.
It turned out that there is a way out. Microsoft allows anyone to download Windows 10/11 for free and install it without a product key. And even use it legally if you wish. However, the system will work with some minor restrictions. You can even pay to upgrade to a licensed copy of Windows 10/11 after you install it.
Whether you want to install Windows 10/11 in Boot Camp, deploy it on an older computer that’s not eligible for a free upgrade, or create one or more virtual machines, you don’t have to pay a single penny.
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How to download Windows 10/11 for free
Microsoft has decided to meet its users halfway and, starting with Windows 10, has allowed its operating system to be downloaded for free from its website. Advanced users can even download an ISO image of the Windows version they need.
For this purpose, the developers of the American corporation have even created a special utility called Media Creation Tool, which allows not only downloading the required version of Windows, but also updating a Windows device. In order to download this very useful utility, you should follow this link, scroll to the section “Create Windows 11 installation media” and click on “Download Now”. I’ve chosen 11 simply because it’s the latest version of Windows. Similar pages exist for other versions.
Important: To download Windows 10/11, you will need a USB flash drive with a capacity of at least 8 GB and a Windows device. Almost instantly, the Media Creation Tool will be downloaded to your device. You just need to run it.
To create the media, select “Create installation media for another computer” and click “Next”.
Choose the language, of course, Windows 10/11 Pro and the architecture, preferably x64.
Next, select the media on which the installation files will be saved. If you choose an ISO file, you need to specify a location to save it, if you choose a USB flash drive, you need to select the appropriate device.
All data on the flash drive will be deleted, and the official version of the Windows 10/11 image will be downloaded in a few minutes.
That is, you can download a ready-made Windows 10/11 ISO file for free. You don’t need to create accounts on suspicious websites, send any code received in an SMS message, or perform any other actions. Microsoft has done everything for you. At the same time, you have protected your PC from the possibility of downloading any malware or virus. The knowledge required is also minimal.
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How to install Windows 10/11 without a key
If you’re ready, just start the installation process. Following the simple prompts, you’ll install Windows 10/11 as you always do. One of the first screens you’ll see is “Activate Windows”, where you’ll be asked to enter your product key. However, you can simply click on the “I don’t have a product key” option at the bottom of the window and Windows will allow you to continue with the installation process. You may be prompted to enter your product key later in the installation process, but you can skip this step.
A few more simple steps and patience and Windows 10/11 will be installed on your desktop or laptop.
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Whether it is legal and what restrictions are imposed
I can reassure you that you have not done anything illegal, you have not violated any copyright. After you install Windows 10/11 without a key, it will not actually be activated.
However, there are no special restrictions on the use of an unactivated version of Windows 10/11. Since Windows XP, Microsoft has been using the famous Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) tool to verify the authenticity of the activation key. It was in Windows 10 that the company abandoned its use and limited itself to only minor restrictions.
At first, you will hardly notice anything. Your laptop will actually have Windows 10/11 installed. Everything works, everything is updated, everything is installed, nothing freezes or interferes with your work or play. However, later on, you will see a warning watermark in the lower right corner that you need to activate your version of Windows 10/11.
Sometimes it does not appear. However, it is impossible to remove or cut out this inscription. But for many people, it is unlikely to interfere with their work, and certainly not distract them.
If you do decide to go to Windows 10 Settings, you will be greeted at the bottom with the inscription “Windows is not activated. Activate Windows”. In Windows 11, it’s even further hidden – in the “Activation” section, but that doesn’t change the point.
I don’t think many users look here often, and this inscription will confuse you somehow. But if you click on the inscription, you’ll understand what the second limitation of deactivated Windows 10/11 is.
It concerns the ability to change the interface and appearance of the Desktop and lock screen. You won’t be able to change the Desktop screen saver, choose the main colour of the system and the Taskbar. All buttons are simply inactive.
What should we do then? It turns out that there is a solution, and it is very simple. To get around these restrictions, you just need to turn off your network connection to the Internet. Then you will have access to Personalisation. You can change everything: wallpapers, themes, upload your own image to the Lock Screen, change the sound and mouse settings, even place shortcuts of your choice. Then turn on the Internet and you’ll see that the system won’t fix anything.
But there’s another way to change your Desktop wallpaper. To do this, select an image from your collection on your PC, right-click, and you’ll see the familiar “Set as Desktop Background” function. This feature is not blocked even in deactivated Windows 10/11.
Apart from these limitations, your system will work normally. Of course, it will occasionally ask you to activate it, and you won’t be able to disable privacy settings. But you won’t pay a single penny.
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How to update Windows 10/11 to an activated version
But what if you still want to activate your Windows? You may want to activate Windows 10/11 over time, which you like and is working well. Microsoft has taken care of that, too.
If you look at Activation, you will find the option to either enter your product key if you have one, or simply purchase a licensed version of Windows 10/11 from the Microsoft Store (although this method is not available in Ukraine) or from the official Microsoft website.
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Should I activate Windows 10/11?
I get asked this question all the time because there is a lot of advice out there, and some of it is even harmful.
If you use Windows as your operating system for your daily work, you will almost certainly want to activate Windows. Not only will this get rid of the annoying “Activate Windows” watermark and unlock all the personalisation options you want, but it will also make you feel like a law-abiding user. It feels like the “right thing to do”, especially if you use Windows for work.
Microsoft’s operating system is not free, but you may already be eligible for a free upgrade after installing Windows 10. If your computer is not eligible for Windows 11, your new computer should still come with a licence.
Remember, there is nothing illegal about using Windows without paying for it, and Microsoft designed the operating system this way for a reason. It remains to be seen whether Microsoft will continue the same policy in the next version.
It seems that the desire to attract maximum attention to Windows 10/11 is a special part of Microsoft’s strategy. Perhaps they are right, because if you can’t beat your enemies (hackers), you have to lead them. And they’re probably doing a pretty good job of it. This means that you can legally download and install any version of Windows 10/11 without activating a licence key.
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Thank you for this information!