What Happens If You Don’t Activate Windows 8
Windows 8 RTM (Final Version) is finally out and many computers are already running on it. But, some are still confused with the compatibility issues and Windows 8 Activation Problems. So, I am going to share my experiences and also tell you what happens if you don’t activate Windows 8.
Previous versions like Windows 7 offered 30 days grace period for activation, surpassing which it would start shutting down after 2 hours approximately. Unlike that, Windows 8 eliminated the term 30 day trial in its RTM version.
You will have to enter Product key while installation, otherwise installation will halt there itself. There is a trick to bypass Product Key while Windows 8 installation but I haven’t tried it yet.
You don’t have to do it either because just a Google search for term “Windows 8 pastebin” will help you find Windows 8 product keys. Surely these keys just install it but activation isn’t possible with them.
Coming to the point, what happens if you don’t activate Windows 8, basically there are three things I observed so far:
- “Windows is not activated” error text is shown in Computer properties.
- Activation Key Watermark will appear on top of everything just like a screen sticker.
- Full screen notification Windows asking you to activate.
Most important and annoying thing is the Activation notification which comes as a key symbol on bottom right corner. It is a semi-transparent watermark which is on top of any window you open. It reads as “Activate Windows, Go to PC Settings to activate” and is present wherever you go or whatever you do.
Good thing is, it is far less annoying than Windows 7 where Windows used to open and wallpaper would turn black saying “You may be victim of Software Piracy”
To make you feel better, let me tell you that you can even remove Windows 8 activation watermark easily.
So, what remains is the text “Windows is not activated” under Computer Properties widow.
But how often do you open it? And it hardly matters as it never interferes with your work.
Third one mentioned above, appeared once and only once and that too could be closed, like you close Windows 8 Metro Apps.
Personally, I am using Windows 8 as primary OS now without any kind of activation. I kept it running straight for more than 12 hours and no annoying notification or warnings or unusual shutdown occurred.
Maybe this is too early and Microsoft may come up with some nuisance technique offered to you in form of Windows Updates. Like, they did in Windows 7 where WAT (Windows activation Technology) was implemented to catch pirates.
Seriously, there is no harm in using unactivated Windows 8. Let me know if you faced any kind of problem on Windows 8 without activation.
P.S. Motive of this Article isn’t to promote piracy but just to clear doubts in your mind about what will happen if Windows 8 isn’t activated. In fact, I don’t think it really isn’t piracy if you bypass product key and install but then I am not sure.
