Windows XP, 7, and eight were piece of cake targets for pirates and merchants of cracked versions, so in a move to curb the rampant piracy of Windows' operating systems, Microsoft elected to flip the script when launching Windows 10. While users can easily install Windows 10 without the need to activate it immediately, using an unactivated Windows 10 comes with its own limitations. What are some of the disadvantages of non activating Windows 10?

The disadvantages of non activating Windows 10 include having express admission to some basic features and not existence able to customize your brandish. Users of unactivated Windows ten aren't eligible for crucial security updates, bug fixes, or patches. You besides won't become to personalize your lock screen.

This commodity will discuss some of the diverse disadvantages of not activating Windows ten and provide a guide on how to activate Windows 10 to brand the most of Microsoft's latest OS. Let's get started.

Cons of not activating Windows x

one. Unactivated Windows 10 has limited features

Perhaps the most important reason to activate Windows 10 is to gain access to its premium features. While you can still perform basic functions with a 'freemium' Windows x, y'all'll need to contend without several useful features like those listed below.

You can't use Dark Mode

enabling dark mode on windows

Windows 10 came with a host of new features, including the popular 'Nighttime mode'. Although Dark manner isn't a mandatory setting, it can help improve your browsing experience, especially if you're the type that spends hours on end behind a PC either for work or entertainment.

Notwithstanding, this useful setting isn't available to you if y'all don't activate Windows 10. Windows will only allow you to modify your screen's brightness but won't allow you to make system-wide changes using the Dark manner.

two. You won't get crucial security updates

Windows 10 is different from its predecessors in that it requires regular mandatory updates. Although these updates can prove annoying for about users, they play a pivotal role in keeping hackers and malicious users at bay.

Users with a licensed re-create of Windows 10 are normally eligible for security updates that assistance prevent malware, viruses, and a host of other cyber threats from attacking their respective systems.

Even so, when using an unactivated copy of Windows 10, you won't receive all of these disquisitional updates, meaning you might miss out on the latest security updates.

While you lot can still run third-party antiviruses to supplement your semi-protected OS, activating Windows 10 is the surest style to keep your PC prophylactic and fully protected.

3. Bug fixes and patches

Windows ten is undoubtedly Microsoft'southward all-time Bone yet. Microsoft tends to release automatic updates to meliorate the Os to keep the powerhouse OS running as expected.

Unfortunately, but users with activated Windows ten tin benefit from the frequent issues fixes and patches.

If you're using an unactivated OS, chances are you won't receive bug fixes and patches every bit frequently as users running activated versions of Windows x practise.

This tin impact your user experience, especially if you encounter bug with Microsoft apps or the unabridged operating system.

4. Limited personalization settings

windows 10 not activated prohibits changes to personalization

While Windows 10 allows clients to customize and configure a host of settings, you won't be able to do much in personalization when using an unactivated Os.

Windows 10 is a bit strict on its personalization settings as information technology only allows users with activated Windows 10 to tweak and modify the display settings.

Below are some of the personalization settings that y'all won't be able to access when using an unactivated Windows ten.

Background and wallpaper settings

When operating an unactivated Windows 10, you lot'll be limited to the default wallpapers that come up with Windows.

However, you tin can easily navigate past this hurdle by selecting your preferred image file and right-clicking on information technology.

After right-clicking, a drop-downwards menu with several options will appear. Choose the 'Set every bit desktop background' choice to have the image as your groundwork.

You can't alter the colors of your applications

When using an unactivated version, Windows 10 won't allow y'all to modify the colors of your taskbar, Windows, and several other applications. Instead, Windows will automatically option a default color (blueish).

While nigh users don't mind the default color, you'll need to activate your Windows if you want to switch to a unlike color.

You'll have an impersonal Lock Screen

Similar to the limitation in setting background photos, an unactivated Windows x won't allow you to alter the lock screen to adapt your preferences, pregnant you'll have to settle for Windows' automatic lock screen changes.

Notwithstanding, the good thing is that you can set up your preferred lock screen by right-clicking an image and selecting the 'Set up as lock screen' button.

You can't remove the default theme

Windows Themes allows users to modify the Windows interface and alter the general advent and overall experience. Windows Themes allows you to change your OS'south colour, groundwork, cursor, sound, and several features.

However, with an unactivated Windows 10, you won't accept the capacity to remove the custom theme. Only users with activated versions can choose their preferred themes.

Y'all'll take default fonts only

Fonts can be described as the appearance of text, numbers, and characters on your PC. Changing from the default font will modify how the numbers, text, and characters appear on your Microsoft ten-powered device.

Although not a usually used characteristic, yous yet won't get to try out different fonts when using an unactivated Windows x.

The commencement menu is an important feature in Windows 10 that grants you easy access to several applications and features.

It too allows you to perform several functions, from turning off your PC to accessing frequently used applications.

Still, when Windows 10 isn't activated, you won't be able to configure the minor settings in the start carte, which means you'll non exist able to view suggestions or view the most used apps for piece of cake admission.

To brand proper utilize of the start card, y'all'll need to activate your Windows 10.

You lot can't customize your taskbar

windows 10 not activated stops you from personalizing your taskbar

The taskbar is a vital function of Windows ten and is the almost versatile of all taskbars since Microsoft's release of the showtime Os.

On the taskbar (located at the lesser), you can open up the start bill of fare, pivot applications, search your PC, and open up applications.

If you're using an unactivated Windows 10, chances are you lot won't be able to customize your taskbar, which means you'll have to forgo taskbar modification features like hiding the taskbar or minimizing icon sizes.

five. Actuate Windows watermark

If y'all fail to activate your Windows 10 after the trial menses expires, Windows will automatically place a semi-transparent watermark on the screen's bottom part.

The purpose of the watermark is to remind you to activate your Windows to get full admission to all of Microsoft'south features.

For most people, the watermark can be annoying as it takes away from the experience of using your laptop or PC.

The Actuate Windows watermark is perhaps Microsoft's way to coerce clients into activating their Windows 10.

Not only does the watermark take upwardly a relatively good amount of space towards the bottom-right side, but it'southward also impossible to remove regardless of the applications that are running.

half dozen. You'll get persistent notifications to activate Windows x

Microsoft won't force you lot to activate Windows 10. However, you'll receive several potentially annoying notifications reminding you to activate the Os.

While most people can get used to this hurdle, information technology can interfere with your work or concentration, especially since you won't have access to Focus assist when running an unactivated Windows ten.

How to activate Windows 10 using a product key

If your gratuitous trial has expired and you lot're prompted to actuate Windows, you can easily do then past completing the following steps.

one. Go to Settings Folio

windows 10 settings app with activate windows link

The starting time step to activating your Windows ten is to access the settings folio. To go to this page, you tin either type settings on the search button towards the left side of the taskbar or printing the start bill of fare and click on the Settings push.

2. Click on the Update and Security Option

select update and security

On the settings page, you lot'll spot several options, including:

  • System.
  • Apps.
  • Devices.
  • Cortana.
  • Privacy.
  • Ease of access and update.
  • Security, and more.

Clicking on the Update and Security push will let Windows to redirect you lot to the update folio.

select activation option in settings

On the page, click on activation. Caput over to the correct side of the page and click on the Change production key. You'll and then need to key in the licensed product key before pressing next. Once done, click on activate to consummate the process.

What are the consequences of not activating Windows ten?

Windows x is Microsoft's safest and most user-friendly Os release yet. Unlike previous versions that were updated occasionally, Windows 10 is constantly updated, which helps enhance overall security and user feel.

While it'southward true that an unactivated Windows 10 will work only fine, activating the OS volition allow you to capitalize on a host of features.

You'll become frequent security updates, which can become a long fashion in improving your security, peculiarly if yous're an gorging streamer, downloader, or user of internet services.

Although an unactivated Windows ten will benefit from basic security updates, the unlicensed systems don't go updated nearly equally much every bit their activated counterparts.

Activating Windows 10 allows you to access customization settings and other features like Windows Howdy and Focus aid that help to improve your overall feel when browsing or working.

This ways you lot can access your device faster (Windows How-do-you-do) and customize information technology to adapt your personal preferences.

Some other benefit of activating Windows 10 is that no new updates volition hinder or interfere with how your organization operates.

Microsoft has fabricated no secret of its intentions to continuously update and review the Bone, meaning they tin initiate further limitations if they want free users to switch to the premium versions.

Activating Windows 10 on your PC or laptop gives you lot the peace of mind that you're prophylactic, regardless of whatever updates Microsoft comes up with.

FAQs Near Windows 10 activation

Can I utilise Windows 10 without activation?

Microsoft allows for the utilise of Microsoft 10 without activation. Notwithstanding, users will be required to activate the OS once the trial flow expires. While failure to activate won't affect the PC or laptop running, it will limit some features. You can go along to use Windows 10 without activation.

For how long can I use Windows 10 without a key?

You can utilize an unactivated Windows 10 for ane month after installation without whatever restrictions.

One time the 1-month grace period expires, y'all'll need to actuate the Bone with a product key to avoid using Windows 10 with express features.

The Actuate Windows watermark will appear immediately after your free trial period concludes.

What happens when Windows ten isn't activated?

If yous don't activate Windows 10, some features will be disabled upon the expiry of the trial period.

For case, you won't be able to customize your PC or laptop, significant features similar themes, lock screen, colors, fonts, and taskbar volition return to their default settings (if you customized them).

A persistent watermark will also appear towards the bottom of the screen, requesting you to actuate the Os. Windows will also ship you lot constant notifications reminding you lot to activate your Windows 10 to make the most of the Os.

In addition to limited customization, some features volition also be disabled, such as Night Fashion, Focus assistance, and Windows Hullo. Your updates volition likewise be limited as yous won't receive equally many updates every bit yous would when using an activated OS.

Will activating Windows ten delete my files?

Activating Windows 10 won't damage your files, as all your files and stored information will remain condom before and after activating Windows x.

The Windows 10 activation procedure is fairly simple every bit you'll only need to enter the key and complete the process.

While nix much volition modify in terms of files, apps, settings, and software subsequently activating the OS, you lot'll gain access to features that were initially inaccessible.

Is it advisable to use cracked keys?

Although once a popular way to avert the buy of genuine Windows versions, the use of cracked keys is both unadvisable and outdated.

They're rarely functional and will, on most occasions, expose clients to the risk of viruses, trojans, and unnecessary ads.

Most online merchants selling cracked keys asking upfront Paypal or Bitcoin payments, claiming to give you unbelievable discounts.

On almost all occasions, innocent buyers end upwards getting scammed when buying croaky keys.

Because of this, you'll want to buy production keys direct from Microsoft or through authorized dealers.

You can too use the gratis Windows 10 version as it only has a few limitations compared to the activated version.

Can I download Windows 10 and install it without a cardinal?

Microsoft allows users to download Windows 10 directly from the official website. Even better, you can apply the OS on a trial basis for one month, and you won't need an activation key within the starting time calendar month of using the product.

However, you'll need to utilize an activation primal or other accepted methods to activate Windows 10 once the trial menses elapses.

Is it illegal to install Windows 10 without a license?

Installing Windows ten without having a license isn't illegal. What's illegal, nevertheless, is activating Windows ten through dubious means without using the officially recognized methods.

Therefore, in case you opt to activate Windows 10 later on the trial flow, you'll want to utilise methods canonical by Microsoft like the KMS key, Microsoft Toolkit, Product key, and KMSpico.

How can I know my product key?

Finding the Windows production primal isn't every bit uncomplicated as most people think information technology is. You'll need to become through several registry scripts before finding your fundamental manually, but you tin can also utilise third-party software like ProduKey to know your Windows product cardinal.

Alternatively, you can remember your product key from Microsoft Support or your hardware manufacturer, especially if you lot purchased a new PC or laptop with preinstalled Windows. Nevertheless, if you purchased Windows 10 directly from the official Microsoft website, you tin can find the production key in the confirmation e-mail sent by Microsoft.

Wrapping up

As we've established throughout the article, using an unactivated version of Windows 10 comes with several disadvantages, the elevation of the list being limited features.

You won't get access to features like Windows How-do-you-do, Focus Assist, and Night Mode.

The reduced updates hateful your device might exist at increased gamble of viruses, malware, and a host of other online attacks.

While these disadvantages won't interfere with how your device works, they might take abroad from the overall user experience you lot'd otherwise become when using an activated Os.