Hit Points on MSN

Microsoft forces online accounts for all Windows installs effectively ending offline use

A recorded voice on Microsoft's activation hotline delivers a stark message: "Support for product activation has moved online ...

Microsoft Ends This Decades-Old Offline Activation Method For Windows

Microsoft has officially retired the traditional phone-based activation system for Windows (and MS Office) that served as a ...

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 ...

Working on the go? You can no longer activate Windows with your phone

Failure to activate Windows will result in watermarks and feature restrictions, which could be bad news for customers who don ...

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

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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 ...
The Register on MSN

Mall display crashes the vibe with Windows activation nag

Digital signage is great, until it isn't Bork!Bork!Bork! Windows activation is a tricky thing, particularly for digital ...
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 ...
Computerworld

Hackers outwit Windows 7 activation

Hackers have figured out how to sidestep Windows 7’s activation process, continuing a long-running battle with Microsoft, which has blocked such tactics in the past. According to an article published ...