What If You Do Not Activate Windows 8

Windows 8 RTM (Final Version) is out and many computers are already running. But, some are still confused with compatibility issue and Windows 8 Activation Problems. So, I share my experience and tell you what happens if you don’t activate Windows 8 to help some of them. 

Previous versions like Windows 7 offered 30 days grace period for activation and after that it would start shutting down after 2 hours or so. 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.

Even you don’t have to do it because just a Google search for term “Windows 8 pastebin” will help you find Windows 8 product keys. Sure that these keys just install it but activation isn’t possible with it.

Coming to the point, what happens if you don’t activate Windows 8, there are basically three things I observed so far:

1. “Windows is not activated” error text is shown in Computer properties.
2. Activation Key Watermark will appear on top of everything just like a screen sticker.
3. 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 actually a semi-transparent watermark which is on top of any window you open. It reads as “Activate Windows, Go to PC Settings to activate” appears as a sticker wherever you go, whatever you do.

Good thing is, It is less annoying than Windows 7 where window 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 does it really matter because it hardly interferes your work anyway.

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 keep it running straight for more than 12 hours and no annoying notification or warning or unusual shutdown occurs.

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, 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.