Windows Unactivated Vs Activated

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Phuong Fulsom

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Aug 4, 2024, 9:34:13 PM8/4/24

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Userswith an unactivated version of Windows 11 (or Windows 10) may need to start considering activating their operating system - as it looks like Microsoft could start cracking down again, starting with the Edge web browser.

According to Windows Report, the change is currently contained to Edge Canary, a build of Edge that Windows Insiders have access to to try out and test potential upcoming changes, and it seems Insiders have spotted a lockdown on Microsoft Edge settings.

The browser is still likely to work on unactivated Windows, and normally you can use Windows 10 and 11 without having to activate your license key - but with limitations. People using unactivated Windows are likely to have a prompt to activate pop up often in their settings and have limitations with their personalization options.

While this is inconvenient, it does at least allow people to use their machines without activating Windows 10 or 11 - a far cry from previous Windows releases which would not let you install the operating system without a valid product key. However, if this change to how Edge runs does make it past the Insiders stage of development you may find all your settings regarding Microsoft Edge locked entirely, presumably until you activate your version of Windows.

Why would Microsoft want to take such a harsh approach to getting people to activate their operating system? Without activation, you are very likely to miss out on security updates, protect yourself from viruses and cyber threats, and be bothered consistently by pop-ups. Activation also proves that you paid for that version of Windows and that it is legitimate.

With all the new AI advancements stuffed into Microsoft Edge, there are probably a lot more people using Edge now than before, and this could just be a good opportunity to force as many people as possible to activate their Windows by threatening to tamper with their newly boosted, feature-filled web browser.

Hopefully, if we do see this development make it out to a public release Microsoft will give users time to activate their operating systems, rather than just taking everything away first and expecting users to figure it out later.

We deploy the Management Agent via Datto RMM so the devices end up in PROTECT Cloud without being activated. Is there any way that a dynamic group can pick up these unactivated devices and then automatically assign a license?

I have tried the following DG Rule Template but is doesn't identify anything:

Windows 11 can be installed without a product key. This leaves the operating system in an unactivated state. While the system works fine for the most part, it does display reminders and a watermark, and does prevent access to certain personalization options, such as setting wallpapers (there is a way around that).

Discovered by our colleagues over at Windows Latest, and verified by us, Microsoft is testing several activation related flags in recent Edge Canary builds. These lock access to settings and may display notifications that Windows 11 is not activated.

The easiest way to test this is to install Windows 11 without providing a product key in a virtual machine. The system is not activated in this case, unless you sign-in with a Microsoft account that has a linked digital Windows-key associated with it.

This notice is shown on every page of the Settings. Not many settings are blocked at the time of writing. The "When Edge starts" preference is inaccessible, which means that you can't change anymore how Edge opens.

For organizations, implications may be more severe. Employees may be required to use Edge. When they see the activation message, they might ask their coworkers or superiors about it, or, in case of disgruntled employees, report the incident.

Linux Mint became easier for me after about 2 months. Now I only play Turtle WoW and watch TV series and anime on it. Nothing I was unable to do. With some effort, I can make almost all my Steam games to run through Proton, except I barely play anything these days beyond Turtle WoW, Heroes of Might and Magic 3, Age of Empires 2 and Star Wars Battlefront 2004.

Of course, the impact this has on home labs where people install W11 in a VM for testing purposes that requires the ability to manipulate Edge settings or where people are testing Web app effects in all browsers in the same way goes right unnoticed by Microsoft which is trying to increase revenue to pay for all the AI crap.

Where do they get these ridiculous ideas from? I wish they could think of the features that were left out and neglected to include back into Windows 11 after combining their horrible 10X UI into Windows 10 and releasing 11 half baked and unfinished.

Sibelius Ultimate Deactivated itself

Posted by Alan Bunting - 31 Aug 10:32AM Hide picture I recently purchased a new Windows Pc and deactivated the license of Sibelius from the old one, downloaded the Sib Ultimate onto my new pc and activated it with no problems whatsoever. It has worked normally until today.However today I received the message to activate the new installation. I tried to do so but it failed with. I followed the advice to remove the license folder and the contents of the Common folder as per the AVID Knowledge Base Instructions for Failed Deactivation and tried to activate the license manually. However this time I received a different error message referring to a Seat Error.

I've tried to contact the UK tel. no. but of course it's Bank Holiday, so no reply. Any help would be gratefully accepted.

Alan

Sib Ultimate Latest version Photoscore Ultimate Windows 10 Back to top Allthreads Re: Sibelius Ultimate Deactivated itself

Posted by Philip Woodroffe - 31 Aug 12:27PM Hide picture when it tells you there is a seat license error the only option is to contact Sibelius, most times phone calls are not needed, leave a message asking for a seat license reactivation in the activation problems section and if you are lucky there will be a member of Sibelius staff viewing the forum on bank holiday and will help you but no guarantees on this. obviously please do not publish your serial number etc.

re the licensing engine problem, this often happens when you have changed hardware in your pc, have you added any new hardware to your new pc since Sibelius activation. if so this may have caused the issue and is very annoying, ive also known this issue to occur after a major windows update. always found Sibelius licensing to be very flakey and annoying.

I wish Sibelius would make a usb key model like others where the license could be held on a key and you just put the key into the port to license the computer and when you take it out it becomes deactivated. you could have it so you can have two usb keys and either put two licenses on the keys two permanent ones on the computer or one permanent one usb. I wish this would happen seeing as now Sibelius has gone to essentially a subscription model. I also note that Sibelius has not made an update since june which I find very annoying.

Macbook pro i7 non retina 2.9ghz 16gb ram 10.14 mojave and windows 10. 1TB SSD boot drive, 2tb storage drive. noteperformer Sibelius 2019.9

Windows pc, i7 8th Gen 6 core, 16gb ram, m.2 NVME boot drive, 2TB spin drive 5200 rpm, and m.2 NVME drive 1TB storage drives.

East West symphonic choirs and east west symphonic orchestra with johnathan loving sound sets photoscore 7.2. note performer

Musescore, Noteworthy composer, melody assistant and virtual singer. Back to top Allthreads Re: Sibelius Ultimate Deactivated itself

Posted by Robin Walker - 31 Aug 12:34PM Hide picture Open a case at Avid Registration Support at:

Take the "Audio" route through the product selection menus.

These sorts of activities are known to cause difficulties with Sibelius licensing because they change the apparent identity of the computer, leading Sibelius to think that it has been pirated and cloned onto a different computer:

- plugging or unplugging a dongle used for network access;

- turning Bluetooth on or off;

- installing a VPN or using a previously installed VPN.

Sibelius 2020.6/7.5.1/7.1.3/6.2/5.2.5, PhotoScore Ult 2020.1, Windows 10 64-bit 16GB. Desktop, and Microsoft Surface Book. Back to top Allthreads Re: Sibelius Ultimate Deactivated itself

Posted by Alan Bunting - 31 Aug 12:48PM Hide picture

Thanks guys. I'll do all of that in the morning. I guess that I've done everything you have said in that having purchased the new machine Sibelius along with other software was the first job and then printers, scanners etc followed on. Strange that it should only occur on my shiny new clean machine when the old slow one never had the problem. Anyway thanks, and I'll enjoy tomorrow in front of the screen again.

Alan

Sib Ultimate Latest version Photoscore Ultimate Windows 10 Back to top Allthreads Re: Sibelius Ultimate Deactivated itself

Posted by Robin Walker - 31 Aug 01:55PM Hide picture Remember that Avid Registration Support is not located in the UK, so is not on holiday today.

Sibelius 2020.6/7.5.1/7.1.3/6.2/5.2.5, PhotoScore Ult 2020.1, Windows 10 64-bit 16GB. Desktop, and Microsoft Surface Book. Back to top Allthreads Re: Sibelius Ultimate Deactivated itself

Posted by Alan Bunting - 05 Sep 07:49AM Hide picture

Alan

Sib Ultimate Latest version Photoscore Ultimate Windows 10 Back to top Allthreads Re: Sibelius Ultimate Deactivated itself

Posted by Alan Bunting - 05 Sep 07:50AM Hide picture Thanks Guys Everything sorted and fully working.

Alan

Sib Ultimate Latest version Photoscore Ultimate Windows 10 Back to top Allthreads

Should eBay merchants be required to state whether or not the copies of Windows 10 they have installed (or have been installed by their refurbisher) have been activated? I recently bought a laptop refurbished by HP. It came with Windows 10 installed. I thought whoopie, I've saved some money there! Upon arrival I discovered the catch: Windows 10 was installed, but it was not activated. Is this deceptive advertising, or just a case of "buyer beware?"