How long can I use Windows 10 without activation?
It would seem that there should be web resources to quickly find an answer to this question but I couldn't find any, so I'm trying my luck here.
I used the Win10 Media Creation Tool to download Win10 Pro ISO's and set up VM's I use for testing before deploying to bare metal. Once I deploy, I do so with a digital license or product key but it obviously doesn't make any sense activating while in the (temporary) VM.
Now I noticed that my VM still works, and it's been many weeks since I first used it. It's not activated, of course, but I can still log in and install software and so on.
Up until now, I always created a new VM installation from scratch when I needed to do testing. It would naturally save me some time if I could just install it once and then clone when I need a new environment (that will eventually be licensed). I thought that's not possible due to some time restraints so I didn't even try it.
Hence my questions:
- Is there an official "evaluation period" for Windows 10, and how long is it?
- How long can one use (from a technical perspective only) a not activated copy of Windows 10?
- Which limitations are there for a not activated copy and when do they step into effect?
I was, for example, not able to confirm that personalization is not possible as seems to have been the case with a not-activated Windows 8.(See comment on answer below.)
windows-10 windows-activation
asked Jan 10 '16 at 12:25
vic
4881614
add a comment |
It would seem that there should be web resources to quickly find an answer to this question but I couldn't find any, so I'm trying my luck here.
I used the Win10 Media Creation Tool to download Win10 Pro ISO's and set up VM's I use for testing before deploying to bare metal. Once I deploy, I do so with a digital license or product key but it obviously doesn't make any sense activating while in the (temporary) VM.
Now I noticed that my VM still works, and it's been many weeks since I first used it. It's not activated, of course, but I can still log in and install software and so on.
Up until now, I always created a new VM installation from scratch when I needed to do testing. It would naturally save me some time if I could just install it once and then clone when I need a new environment (that will eventually be licensed). I thought that's not possible due to some time restraints so I didn't even try it.
Hence my questions:
- Is there an official "evaluation period" for Windows 10, and how long is it?
- How long can one use (from a technical perspective only) a not activated copy of Windows 10?
- Which limitations are there for a not activated copy and when do they step into effect?
I was, for example, not able to confirm that personalization is not possible as seems to have been the case with a not-activated Windows 8.(See comment on answer below.)
windows-10 windows-activation
asked Jan 10 '16 at 12:25
vic
4881614
4
Possible duplicate of How long can one use a fresh Windows 10 install without product key?
– Moab
Jan 10 '16 at 15:35
With regards to my second point, it's a duplicate. The other two aspects are not mentioned in the other question.
– vic
Jan 10 '16 at 17:41
1
That is the problem asking multiple questions in one post here so I default to the title of the question. William Seems to have answered them anyway.
– Moab
Jan 10 '16 at 18:01
add a comment |
It would seem that there should be web resources to quickly find an answer to this question but I couldn't find any, so I'm trying my luck here.
I used the Win10 Media Creation Tool to download Win10 Pro ISO's and set up VM's I use for testing before deploying to bare metal. Once I deploy, I do so with a digital license or product key but it obviously doesn't make any sense activating while in the (temporary) VM.
Now I noticed that my VM still works, and it's been many weeks since I first used it. It's not activated, of course, but I can still log in and install software and so on.
Up until now, I always created a new VM installation from scratch when I needed to do testing. It would naturally save me some time if I could just install it once and then clone when I need a new environment (that will eventually be licensed). I thought that's not possible due to some time restraints so I didn't even try it.
Hence my questions:
- Is there an official "evaluation period" for Windows 10, and how long is it?
- How long can one use (from a technical perspective only) a not activated copy of Windows 10?
- Which limitations are there for a not activated copy and when do they step into effect?
I was, for example, not able to confirm that personalization is not possible as seems to have been the case with a not-activated Windows 8.(See comment on answer below.)
windows-10 windows-activation
asked Jan 10 '16 at 12:25
vic
4881614
It would seem that there should be web resources to quickly find an answer to this question but I couldn't find any, so I'm trying my luck here.
I used the Win10 Media Creation Tool to download Win10 Pro ISO's and set up VM's I use for testing before deploying to bare metal. Once I deploy, I do so with a digital license or product key but it obviously doesn't make any sense activating while in the (temporary) VM.
Now I noticed that my VM still works, and it's been many weeks since I first used it. It's not activated, of course, but I can still log in and install software and so on.
Up until now, I always created a new VM installation from scratch when I needed to do testing. It would naturally save me some time if I could just install it once and then clone when I need a new environment (that will eventually be licensed). I thought that's not possible due to some time restraints so I didn't even try it.
Hence my questions:
- Is there an official "evaluation period" for Windows 10, and how long is it?
- How long can one use (from a technical perspective only) a not activated copy of Windows 10?
- Which limitations are there for a not activated copy and when do they step into effect?
I was, for example, not able to confirm that personalization is not possible as seems to have been the case with a not-activated Windows 8.(See comment on answer below.)
windows-10 windows-activation
windows-10 windows-activation
asked Jan 10 '16 at 12:25
vic
4881614
asked Jan 10 '16 at 12:25
vic
4881614
edited Jan 13 '16 at 13:08
asked Jan 10 '16 at 12:25
vic
4881614
asked Jan 10 '16 at 12:25
vic
4881614
asked Jan 10 '16 at 12:25
vic
4881614
4881614
4
Possible duplicate of How long can one use a fresh Windows 10 install without product key?
– Moab
Jan 10 '16 at 15:35
With regards to my second point, it's a duplicate. The other two aspects are not mentioned in the other question.
– vic
Jan 10 '16 at 17:41
1
That is the problem asking multiple questions in one post here so I default to the title of the question. William Seems to have answered them anyway.
– Moab
Jan 10 '16 at 18:01
add a comment |
4
Possible duplicate of How long can one use a fresh Windows 10 install without product key?
– Moab
Jan 10 '16 at 15:35
With regards to my second point, it's a duplicate. The other two aspects are not mentioned in the other question.
– vic
Jan 10 '16 at 17:41
1
That is the problem asking multiple questions in one post here so I default to the title of the question. William Seems to have answered them anyway.
– Moab
Jan 10 '16 at 18:01
4
4
Possible duplicate of How long can one use a fresh Windows 10 install without product key?
– Moab
Jan 10 '16 at 15:35
Possible duplicate of How long can one use a fresh Windows 10 install without product key?
– Moab
Jan 10 '16 at 15:35
With regards to my second point, it's a duplicate. The other two aspects are not mentioned in the other question.
– vic
Jan 10 '16 at 17:41
With regards to my second point, it's a duplicate. The other two aspects are not mentioned in the other question.
– vic
Jan 10 '16 at 17:41
1
1
That is the problem asking multiple questions in one post here so I default to the title of the question. William Seems to have answered them anyway.
– Moab
Jan 10 '16 at 18:01
That is the problem asking multiple questions in one post here so I default to the title of the question. William Seems to have answered them anyway.
– Moab
Jan 10 '16 at 18:01
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Is there an official "evaluation period" for Windows 10, and how long is it?
There isn't really a proper evaluation period by default on a standard copy, especially since it is free if you have a regular copy and the vast majority of machines compatible are eligible. So, you either have a proper legal copy that is not activated, or, you can download a 90 day trial of Windows Enterprise direct from Microsoft.
How long can one use (from a technical perspective only) a not activated copy of Windows 10?
There is no limitation.
Which limitations are there for a not activated copy and when do they step into effect? I was, for example, not able to confirm that personalization is not possible as seems to have been the case with a not-activated Windows 8.
You get a watermark in the bottom right hand corner of the screen and you can't utilise Microsoft account services such as syncing settings between devices. Other than that, it pretty much works as expected.
My Experience:
Since I changed my motherboard a while ago, I have had an "unlicensed" copy which I haven't been able to reactive. I have to say, other than the watermark, I wouldn't really know that this was the case.
edited Dec 8 '17 at 11:00
Mahdi Rafatjah
372215
answered Jan 10 '16 at 12:39
William Hilsum
108k16159249
1
Hi William, thanks for your reply. I was specifically referring to the Win10 ISO you get with the Media Creation Tool, not the Enterprise demo. Since I'm using it in a VM, I am generally not eligible. Also, I have no watermark in the bottom right hand corner (or anywhere else for that matter) even though my copy is clearly not activated. So, I wonder if it's just a matter of time before that watermark shows or if there is another difference at play here.
– vic
Jan 10 '16 at 12:46
2
@vic yes its just a matter of time. I believe a month is the time period before a non-activated copy will show the watermark. But I have no proof to back it up, only first-hand experience.
– LPChip
Jan 10 '16 at 12:50
2
OK, I can confirm that now I get the watermark, too. And it is no longer possible to personalize the screen. I didn't check for other limitations but I assume it's, at least, the same as it was for Windows 8.
– vic
Jan 13 '16 at 13:03
If you activated Windows 10 on the host ever your virtual machine more then likely is activated
– Ramhound
Jan 13 '16 at 13:25
4
Afaik if you join the windows insider program and the fast ring these 90 days are renewed with every build you get. As fast ring builds are more frequent than only every 90 days this helps you to stay activated at all times. The downside is that you have to deal with (a lot?) less stable builds.
– Syberdoor
Jan 13 '16 at 14:32
|
show 5 more comments
According to the retail license agreement, section 5:
You are authorized to use this software only if you are properly licensed and the software has been properly activated with a genuine product key or by other authorized method.
So if the software has never been properly activated, you are not authorized to use it, and by my reading you can't use it under this license. I'm going to assume that they mean "has been properly activated" to apply to a particular installation, and not Windows 10 as a software product, because surely someone has activated Windows 10 ever. It might apply per copy instead though, so if you activate on one device and then move your license to a new device, you may not need to activate the new device.
So, in my non-lawerly legal opinion, the official evaluation period is length 0 and you are committing copyright infringement the moment you boot an un-activated Windows 10.
Interestingly, I couldn't find an exception that allows you to use Windows 10 to run your computer long enough to actually enter your product key and activate it. Any use of an unactivated copy, including installing and activating it, is unauthorized. So pretty much everyone seems to have violated the license terms.
answered Dec 8 at 18:10
interfect
1595
Microsoft provides latitude when it comes to using Windows unactivated. The single sentence from the license agreement does not tell the entire store. As for the "official evaluation period" it most definitely is NOT 0 days.
– Ramhound
Dec 8 at 18:26
@Ramhound Can you point to any language in the license agreement, or anything else published by Microsoft, to support a nonzero-length evaluation period? Obviously the fact that the license agreement doesn't grand you a license to use Windows to activate Windows is just faulty drafting and not something Microsoft expects to be able to enforce. But they clearly prohibit just using an unactivated copy of Windows forever, even if there's no technical measures in the software to enforce this.
– interfect
Dec 9 at 5:02
Microsoft provides VMs and trial licenses for Enterprise that have 180 day limits. Windows typically requires activation in an KVM scenario every 180 days
– Ramhound
Dec 9 at 5:38
Oh, maybe there's a different license document for Enterprise; I should have specified that I was looking at the retail license agreement.
– interfect
Dec 9 at 6:08
It's actually a valid train of thought. The question clearly isn't about trial licenses but about a regular installation of Windows 10 that was not installed using a proper license and that is not activated. Reading the excerpt you provided, I'd agree that the evaluation period for that type of product really is 0. Any objection to the contrary should be accompanied by respective sources. Having said that, I do believe that William already answered the same when writing "There isn't really a proper evaluation period by default on a standard copy".
– vic
Dec 9 at 19:55
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Is there an official "evaluation period" for Windows 10, and how long is it?
There isn't really a proper evaluation period by default on a standard copy, especially since it is free if you have a regular copy and the vast majority of machines compatible are eligible. So, you either have a proper legal copy that is not activated, or, you can download a 90 day trial of Windows Enterprise direct from Microsoft.
How long can one use (from a technical perspective only) a not activated copy of Windows 10?
There is no limitation.
Which limitations are there for a not activated copy and when do they step into effect? I was, for example, not able to confirm that personalization is not possible as seems to have been the case with a not-activated Windows 8.
You get a watermark in the bottom right hand corner of the screen and you can't utilise Microsoft account services such as syncing settings between devices. Other than that, it pretty much works as expected.
My Experience:
Since I changed my motherboard a while ago, I have had an "unlicensed" copy which I haven't been able to reactive. I have to say, other than the watermark, I wouldn't really know that this was the case.
edited Dec 8 '17 at 11:00
Mahdi Rafatjah
372215
answered Jan 10 '16 at 12:39
William Hilsum
108k16159249
1
Hi William, thanks for your reply. I was specifically referring to the Win10 ISO you get with the Media Creation Tool, not the Enterprise demo. Since I'm using it in a VM, I am generally not eligible. Also, I have no watermark in the bottom right hand corner (or anywhere else for that matter) even though my copy is clearly not activated. So, I wonder if it's just a matter of time before that watermark shows or if there is another difference at play here.
– vic
Jan 10 '16 at 12:46
2
@vic yes its just a matter of time. I believe a month is the time period before a non-activated copy will show the watermark. But I have no proof to back it up, only first-hand experience.
– LPChip
Jan 10 '16 at 12:50
2
OK, I can confirm that now I get the watermark, too. And it is no longer possible to personalize the screen. I didn't check for other limitations but I assume it's, at least, the same as it was for Windows 8.
– vic
Jan 13 '16 at 13:03
If you activated Windows 10 on the host ever your virtual machine more then likely is activated
– Ramhound
Jan 13 '16 at 13:25
4
Afaik if you join the windows insider program and the fast ring these 90 days are renewed with every build you get. As fast ring builds are more frequent than only every 90 days this helps you to stay activated at all times. The downside is that you have to deal with (a lot?) less stable builds.
– Syberdoor
Jan 13 '16 at 14:32
|
show 5 more comments
Is there an official "evaluation period" for Windows 10, and how long is it?
There isn't really a proper evaluation period by default on a standard copy, especially since it is free if you have a regular copy and the vast majority of machines compatible are eligible. So, you either have a proper legal copy that is not activated, or, you can download a 90 day trial of Windows Enterprise direct from Microsoft.
How long can one use (from a technical perspective only) a not activated copy of Windows 10?
There is no limitation.
Which limitations are there for a not activated copy and when do they step into effect? I was, for example, not able to confirm that personalization is not possible as seems to have been the case with a not-activated Windows 8.
You get a watermark in the bottom right hand corner of the screen and you can't utilise Microsoft account services such as syncing settings between devices. Other than that, it pretty much works as expected.
My Experience:
Since I changed my motherboard a while ago, I have had an "unlicensed" copy which I haven't been able to reactive. I have to say, other than the watermark, I wouldn't really know that this was the case.
edited Dec 8 '17 at 11:00
Mahdi Rafatjah
372215
answered Jan 10 '16 at 12:39
William Hilsum
108k16159249
1
Hi William, thanks for your reply. I was specifically referring to the Win10 ISO you get with the Media Creation Tool, not the Enterprise demo. Since I'm using it in a VM, I am generally not eligible. Also, I have no watermark in the bottom right hand corner (or anywhere else for that matter) even though my copy is clearly not activated. So, I wonder if it's just a matter of time before that watermark shows or if there is another difference at play here.
– vic
Jan 10 '16 at 12:46
2
@vic yes its just a matter of time. I believe a month is the time period before a non-activated copy will show the watermark. But I have no proof to back it up, only first-hand experience.
– LPChip
Jan 10 '16 at 12:50
2
OK, I can confirm that now I get the watermark, too. And it is no longer possible to personalize the screen. I didn't check for other limitations but I assume it's, at least, the same as it was for Windows 8.
– vic
Jan 13 '16 at 13:03
If you activated Windows 10 on the host ever your virtual machine more then likely is activated
– Ramhound
Jan 13 '16 at 13:25
4
Afaik if you join the windows insider program and the fast ring these 90 days are renewed with every build you get. As fast ring builds are more frequent than only every 90 days this helps you to stay activated at all times. The downside is that you have to deal with (a lot?) less stable builds.
– Syberdoor
Jan 13 '16 at 14:32
|
show 5 more comments
Is there an official "evaluation period" for Windows 10, and how long is it?
There isn't really a proper evaluation period by default on a standard copy, especially since it is free if you have a regular copy and the vast majority of machines compatible are eligible. So, you either have a proper legal copy that is not activated, or, you can download a 90 day trial of Windows Enterprise direct from Microsoft.
How long can one use (from a technical perspective only) a not activated copy of Windows 10?
There is no limitation.
Which limitations are there for a not activated copy and when do they step into effect? I was, for example, not able to confirm that personalization is not possible as seems to have been the case with a not-activated Windows 8.
You get a watermark in the bottom right hand corner of the screen and you can't utilise Microsoft account services such as syncing settings between devices. Other than that, it pretty much works as expected.
My Experience:
Since I changed my motherboard a while ago, I have had an "unlicensed" copy which I haven't been able to reactive. I have to say, other than the watermark, I wouldn't really know that this was the case.
edited Dec 8 '17 at 11:00
Mahdi Rafatjah
372215
answered Jan 10 '16 at 12:39
William Hilsum
108k16159249
Is there an official "evaluation period" for Windows 10, and how long is it?
There isn't really a proper evaluation period by default on a standard copy, especially since it is free if you have a regular copy and the vast majority of machines compatible are eligible. So, you either have a proper legal copy that is not activated, or, you can download a 90 day trial of Windows Enterprise direct from Microsoft.
How long can one use (from a technical perspective only) a not activated copy of Windows 10?
There is no limitation.
Which limitations are there for a not activated copy and when do they step into effect? I was, for example, not able to confirm that personalization is not possible as seems to have been the case with a not-activated Windows 8.
You get a watermark in the bottom right hand corner of the screen and you can't utilise Microsoft account services such as syncing settings between devices. Other than that, it pretty much works as expected.
My Experience:
Since I changed my motherboard a while ago, I have had an "unlicensed" copy which I haven't been able to reactive. I have to say, other than the watermark, I wouldn't really know that this was the case.
edited Dec 8 '17 at 11:00
Mahdi Rafatjah
372215
answered Jan 10 '16 at 12:39
William Hilsum
108k16159249
edited Dec 8 '17 at 11:00
Mahdi Rafatjah
372215
edited Dec 8 '17 at 11:00
Mahdi Rafatjah
372215
edited Dec 8 '17 at 11:00
Mahdi Rafatjah
372215
372215
answered Jan 10 '16 at 12:39
William Hilsum
108k16159249
answered Jan 10 '16 at 12:39
William Hilsum
108k16159249
answered Jan 10 '16 at 12:39
William Hilsum
108k16159249
108k16159249
1
Hi William, thanks for your reply. I was specifically referring to the Win10 ISO you get with the Media Creation Tool, not the Enterprise demo. Since I'm using it in a VM, I am generally not eligible. Also, I have no watermark in the bottom right hand corner (or anywhere else for that matter) even though my copy is clearly not activated. So, I wonder if it's just a matter of time before that watermark shows or if there is another difference at play here.
– vic
Jan 10 '16 at 12:46
2
@vic yes its just a matter of time. I believe a month is the time period before a non-activated copy will show the watermark. But I have no proof to back it up, only first-hand experience.
– LPChip
Jan 10 '16 at 12:50
2
OK, I can confirm that now I get the watermark, too. And it is no longer possible to personalize the screen. I didn't check for other limitations but I assume it's, at least, the same as it was for Windows 8.
– vic
Jan 13 '16 at 13:03
If you activated Windows 10 on the host ever your virtual machine more then likely is activated
– Ramhound
Jan 13 '16 at 13:25
4
Afaik if you join the windows insider program and the fast ring these 90 days are renewed with every build you get. As fast ring builds are more frequent than only every 90 days this helps you to stay activated at all times. The downside is that you have to deal with (a lot?) less stable builds.
– Syberdoor
Jan 13 '16 at 14:32
|
show 5 more comments
1
Hi William, thanks for your reply. I was specifically referring to the Win10 ISO you get with the Media Creation Tool, not the Enterprise demo. Since I'm using it in a VM, I am generally not eligible. Also, I have no watermark in the bottom right hand corner (or anywhere else for that matter) even though my copy is clearly not activated. So, I wonder if it's just a matter of time before that watermark shows or if there is another difference at play here.
– vic
Jan 10 '16 at 12:46
2
@vic yes its just a matter of time. I believe a month is the time period before a non-activated copy will show the watermark. But I have no proof to back it up, only first-hand experience.
– LPChip
Jan 10 '16 at 12:50
2
OK, I can confirm that now I get the watermark, too. And it is no longer possible to personalize the screen. I didn't check for other limitations but I assume it's, at least, the same as it was for Windows 8.
– vic
Jan 13 '16 at 13:03
If you activated Windows 10 on the host ever your virtual machine more then likely is activated
– Ramhound
Jan 13 '16 at 13:25
4
Afaik if you join the windows insider program and the fast ring these 90 days are renewed with every build you get. As fast ring builds are more frequent than only every 90 days this helps you to stay activated at all times. The downside is that you have to deal with (a lot?) less stable builds.
– Syberdoor
Jan 13 '16 at 14:32
1
1
Hi William, thanks for your reply. I was specifically referring to the Win10 ISO you get with the Media Creation Tool, not the Enterprise demo. Since I'm using it in a VM, I am generally not eligible. Also, I have no watermark in the bottom right hand corner (or anywhere else for that matter) even though my copy is clearly not activated. So, I wonder if it's just a matter of time before that watermark shows or if there is another difference at play here.
– vic
Jan 10 '16 at 12:46
Hi William, thanks for your reply. I was specifically referring to the Win10 ISO you get with the Media Creation Tool, not the Enterprise demo. Since I'm using it in a VM, I am generally not eligible. Also, I have no watermark in the bottom right hand corner (or anywhere else for that matter) even though my copy is clearly not activated. So, I wonder if it's just a matter of time before that watermark shows or if there is another difference at play here.
– vic
Jan 10 '16 at 12:46
2
2
@vic yes its just a matter of time. I believe a month is the time period before a non-activated copy will show the watermark. But I have no proof to back it up, only first-hand experience.
– LPChip
Jan 10 '16 at 12:50
@vic yes its just a matter of time. I believe a month is the time period before a non-activated copy will show the watermark. But I have no proof to back it up, only first-hand experience.
– LPChip
Jan 10 '16 at 12:50
2
2
OK, I can confirm that now I get the watermark, too. And it is no longer possible to personalize the screen. I didn't check for other limitations but I assume it's, at least, the same as it was for Windows 8.
– vic
Jan 13 '16 at 13:03
OK, I can confirm that now I get the watermark, too. And it is no longer possible to personalize the screen. I didn't check for other limitations but I assume it's, at least, the same as it was for Windows 8.
– vic
Jan 13 '16 at 13:03
If you activated Windows 10 on the host ever your virtual machine more then likely is activated
– Ramhound
Jan 13 '16 at 13:25
If you activated Windows 10 on the host ever your virtual machine more then likely is activated
– Ramhound
Jan 13 '16 at 13:25
4
4
Afaik if you join the windows insider program and the fast ring these 90 days are renewed with every build you get. As fast ring builds are more frequent than only every 90 days this helps you to stay activated at all times. The downside is that you have to deal with (a lot?) less stable builds.
– Syberdoor
Jan 13 '16 at 14:32
Afaik if you join the windows insider program and the fast ring these 90 days are renewed with every build you get. As fast ring builds are more frequent than only every 90 days this helps you to stay activated at all times. The downside is that you have to deal with (a lot?) less stable builds.
– Syberdoor
Jan 13 '16 at 14:32
|
show 5 more comments
According to the retail license agreement, section 5:
You are authorized to use this software only if you are properly licensed and the software has been properly activated with a genuine product key or by other authorized method.
So if the software has never been properly activated, you are not authorized to use it, and by my reading you can't use it under this license. I'm going to assume that they mean "has been properly activated" to apply to a particular installation, and not Windows 10 as a software product, because surely someone has activated Windows 10 ever. It might apply per copy instead though, so if you activate on one device and then move your license to a new device, you may not need to activate the new device.
So, in my non-lawerly legal opinion, the official evaluation period is length 0 and you are committing copyright infringement the moment you boot an un-activated Windows 10.
Interestingly, I couldn't find an exception that allows you to use Windows 10 to run your computer long enough to actually enter your product key and activate it. Any use of an unactivated copy, including installing and activating it, is unauthorized. So pretty much everyone seems to have violated the license terms.
answered Dec 8 at 18:10
interfect
1595
Microsoft provides latitude when it comes to using Windows unactivated. The single sentence from the license agreement does not tell the entire store. As for the "official evaluation period" it most definitely is NOT 0 days.
– Ramhound
Dec 8 at 18:26
@Ramhound Can you point to any language in the license agreement, or anything else published by Microsoft, to support a nonzero-length evaluation period? Obviously the fact that the license agreement doesn't grand you a license to use Windows to activate Windows is just faulty drafting and not something Microsoft expects to be able to enforce. But they clearly prohibit just using an unactivated copy of Windows forever, even if there's no technical measures in the software to enforce this.
– interfect
Dec 9 at 5:02
Microsoft provides VMs and trial licenses for Enterprise that have 180 day limits. Windows typically requires activation in an KVM scenario every 180 days
– Ramhound
Dec 9 at 5:38
Oh, maybe there's a different license document for Enterprise; I should have specified that I was looking at the retail license agreement.
– interfect
Dec 9 at 6:08
It's actually a valid train of thought. The question clearly isn't about trial licenses but about a regular installation of Windows 10 that was not installed using a proper license and that is not activated. Reading the excerpt you provided, I'd agree that the evaluation period for that type of product really is 0. Any objection to the contrary should be accompanied by respective sources. Having said that, I do believe that William already answered the same when writing "There isn't really a proper evaluation period by default on a standard copy".
– vic
Dec 9 at 19:55
add a comment |
According to the retail license agreement, section 5:
You are authorized to use this software only if you are properly licensed and the software has been properly activated with a genuine product key or by other authorized method.
So if the software has never been properly activated, you are not authorized to use it, and by my reading you can't use it under this license. I'm going to assume that they mean "has been properly activated" to apply to a particular installation, and not Windows 10 as a software product, because surely someone has activated Windows 10 ever. It might apply per copy instead though, so if you activate on one device and then move your license to a new device, you may not need to activate the new device.
So, in my non-lawerly legal opinion, the official evaluation period is length 0 and you are committing copyright infringement the moment you boot an un-activated Windows 10.
Interestingly, I couldn't find an exception that allows you to use Windows 10 to run your computer long enough to actually enter your product key and activate it. Any use of an unactivated copy, including installing and activating it, is unauthorized. So pretty much everyone seems to have violated the license terms.
answered Dec 8 at 18:10
interfect
1595
Microsoft provides latitude when it comes to using Windows unactivated. The single sentence from the license agreement does not tell the entire store. As for the "official evaluation period" it most definitely is NOT 0 days.
– Ramhound
Dec 8 at 18:26
@Ramhound Can you point to any language in the license agreement, or anything else published by Microsoft, to support a nonzero-length evaluation period? Obviously the fact that the license agreement doesn't grand you a license to use Windows to activate Windows is just faulty drafting and not something Microsoft expects to be able to enforce. But they clearly prohibit just using an unactivated copy of Windows forever, even if there's no technical measures in the software to enforce this.
– interfect
Dec 9 at 5:02
Microsoft provides VMs and trial licenses for Enterprise that have 180 day limits. Windows typically requires activation in an KVM scenario every 180 days
– Ramhound
Dec 9 at 5:38
Oh, maybe there's a different license document for Enterprise; I should have specified that I was looking at the retail license agreement.
– interfect
Dec 9 at 6:08
It's actually a valid train of thought. The question clearly isn't about trial licenses but about a regular installation of Windows 10 that was not installed using a proper license and that is not activated. Reading the excerpt you provided, I'd agree that the evaluation period for that type of product really is 0. Any objection to the contrary should be accompanied by respective sources. Having said that, I do believe that William already answered the same when writing "There isn't really a proper evaluation period by default on a standard copy".
– vic
Dec 9 at 19:55
add a comment |
According to the retail license agreement, section 5:
You are authorized to use this software only if you are properly licensed and the software has been properly activated with a genuine product key or by other authorized method.
So if the software has never been properly activated, you are not authorized to use it, and by my reading you can't use it under this license. I'm going to assume that they mean "has been properly activated" to apply to a particular installation, and not Windows 10 as a software product, because surely someone has activated Windows 10 ever. It might apply per copy instead though, so if you activate on one device and then move your license to a new device, you may not need to activate the new device.
So, in my non-lawerly legal opinion, the official evaluation period is length 0 and you are committing copyright infringement the moment you boot an un-activated Windows 10.
Interestingly, I couldn't find an exception that allows you to use Windows 10 to run your computer long enough to actually enter your product key and activate it. Any use of an unactivated copy, including installing and activating it, is unauthorized. So pretty much everyone seems to have violated the license terms.
answered Dec 8 at 18:10
interfect
1595
According to the retail license agreement, section 5:
You are authorized to use this software only if you are properly licensed and the software has been properly activated with a genuine product key or by other authorized method.
So if the software has never been properly activated, you are not authorized to use it, and by my reading you can't use it under this license. I'm going to assume that they mean "has been properly activated" to apply to a particular installation, and not Windows 10 as a software product, because surely someone has activated Windows 10 ever. It might apply per copy instead though, so if you activate on one device and then move your license to a new device, you may not need to activate the new device.
So, in my non-lawerly legal opinion, the official evaluation period is length 0 and you are committing copyright infringement the moment you boot an un-activated Windows 10.
Interestingly, I couldn't find an exception that allows you to use Windows 10 to run your computer long enough to actually enter your product key and activate it. Any use of an unactivated copy, including installing and activating it, is unauthorized. So pretty much everyone seems to have violated the license terms.
answered Dec 8 at 18:10
interfect
1595
edited Dec 9 at 6:08
answered Dec 8 at 18:10
interfect
1595
answered Dec 8 at 18:10
interfect
1595
answered Dec 8 at 18:10
interfect
1595
1595
Microsoft provides latitude when it comes to using Windows unactivated. The single sentence from the license agreement does not tell the entire store. As for the "official evaluation period" it most definitely is NOT 0 days.
– Ramhound
Dec 8 at 18:26
@Ramhound Can you point to any language in the license agreement, or anything else published by Microsoft, to support a nonzero-length evaluation period? Obviously the fact that the license agreement doesn't grand you a license to use Windows to activate Windows is just faulty drafting and not something Microsoft expects to be able to enforce. But they clearly prohibit just using an unactivated copy of Windows forever, even if there's no technical measures in the software to enforce this.
– interfect
Dec 9 at 5:02
Microsoft provides VMs and trial licenses for Enterprise that have 180 day limits. Windows typically requires activation in an KVM scenario every 180 days
– Ramhound
Dec 9 at 5:38
Oh, maybe there's a different license document for Enterprise; I should have specified that I was looking at the retail license agreement.
– interfect
Dec 9 at 6:08
It's actually a valid train of thought. The question clearly isn't about trial licenses but about a regular installation of Windows 10 that was not installed using a proper license and that is not activated. Reading the excerpt you provided, I'd agree that the evaluation period for that type of product really is 0. Any objection to the contrary should be accompanied by respective sources. Having said that, I do believe that William already answered the same when writing "There isn't really a proper evaluation period by default on a standard copy".
– vic
Dec 9 at 19:55
add a comment |
Microsoft provides latitude when it comes to using Windows unactivated. The single sentence from the license agreement does not tell the entire store. As for the "official evaluation period" it most definitely is NOT 0 days.
– Ramhound
Dec 8 at 18:26
@Ramhound Can you point to any language in the license agreement, or anything else published by Microsoft, to support a nonzero-length evaluation period? Obviously the fact that the license agreement doesn't grand you a license to use Windows to activate Windows is just faulty drafting and not something Microsoft expects to be able to enforce. But they clearly prohibit just using an unactivated copy of Windows forever, even if there's no technical measures in the software to enforce this.
– interfect
Dec 9 at 5:02
Microsoft provides VMs and trial licenses for Enterprise that have 180 day limits. Windows typically requires activation in an KVM scenario every 180 days
– Ramhound
Dec 9 at 5:38
Oh, maybe there's a different license document for Enterprise; I should have specified that I was looking at the retail license agreement.
– interfect
Dec 9 at 6:08
It's actually a valid train of thought. The question clearly isn't about trial licenses but about a regular installation of Windows 10 that was not installed using a proper license and that is not activated. Reading the excerpt you provided, I'd agree that the evaluation period for that type of product really is 0. Any objection to the contrary should be accompanied by respective sources. Having said that, I do believe that William already answered the same when writing "There isn't really a proper evaluation period by default on a standard copy".
– vic
Dec 9 at 19:55
Microsoft provides latitude when it comes to using Windows unactivated. The single sentence from the license agreement does not tell the entire store. As for the "official evaluation period" it most definitely is NOT 0 days.
– Ramhound
Dec 8 at 18:26
Microsoft provides latitude when it comes to using Windows unactivated. The single sentence from the license agreement does not tell the entire store. As for the "official evaluation period" it most definitely is NOT 0 days.
– Ramhound
Dec 8 at 18:26
@Ramhound Can you point to any language in the license agreement, or anything else published by Microsoft, to support a nonzero-length evaluation period? Obviously the fact that the license agreement doesn't grand you a license to use Windows to activate Windows is just faulty drafting and not something Microsoft expects to be able to enforce. But they clearly prohibit just using an unactivated copy of Windows forever, even if there's no technical measures in the software to enforce this.
– interfect
Dec 9 at 5:02
@Ramhound Can you point to any language in the license agreement, or anything else published by Microsoft, to support a nonzero-length evaluation period? Obviously the fact that the license agreement doesn't grand you a license to use Windows to activate Windows is just faulty drafting and not something Microsoft expects to be able to enforce. But they clearly prohibit just using an unactivated copy of Windows forever, even if there's no technical measures in the software to enforce this.
– interfect
Dec 9 at 5:02
Microsoft provides VMs and trial licenses for Enterprise that have 180 day limits. Windows typically requires activation in an KVM scenario every 180 days
– Ramhound
Dec 9 at 5:38
Microsoft provides VMs and trial licenses for Enterprise that have 180 day limits. Windows typically requires activation in an KVM scenario every 180 days
– Ramhound
Dec 9 at 5:38
Oh, maybe there's a different license document for Enterprise; I should have specified that I was looking at the retail license agreement.
– interfect
Dec 9 at 6:08
Oh, maybe there's a different license document for Enterprise; I should have specified that I was looking at the retail license agreement.
– interfect
Dec 9 at 6:08
It's actually a valid train of thought. The question clearly isn't about trial licenses but about a regular installation of Windows 10 that was not installed using a proper license and that is not activated. Reading the excerpt you provided, I'd agree that the evaluation period for that type of product really is 0. Any objection to the contrary should be accompanied by respective sources. Having said that, I do believe that William already answered the same when writing "There isn't really a proper evaluation period by default on a standard copy".
– vic
Dec 9 at 19:55
It's actually a valid train of thought. The question clearly isn't about trial licenses but about a regular installation of Windows 10 that was not installed using a proper license and that is not activated. Reading the excerpt you provided, I'd agree that the evaluation period for that type of product really is 0. Any objection to the contrary should be accompanied by respective sources. Having said that, I do believe that William already answered the same when writing "There isn't really a proper evaluation period by default on a standard copy".
– vic
Dec 9 at 19:55
add a comment |
protected by Community♦ Nov 26 '16 at 21:49
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4
Possible duplicate of How long can one use a fresh Windows 10 install without product key?
– Moab
Jan 10 '16 at 15:35
With regards to my second point, it's a duplicate. The other two aspects are not mentioned in the other question.
– vic
Jan 10 '16 at 17:41
1
That is the problem asking multiple questions in one post here so I default to the title of the question. William Seems to have answered them anyway.
– Moab
Jan 10 '16 at 18:01