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 ...
Ars Technica

KMS host key to activate Windows 8.1

I propped up a Windows 8.1 Enterprise machine and I want to activate it through my KMS server. I believe I have the relevant update applied (KB2885698) but I'm having trouble finding the correct host ...

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

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

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 ...
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 ...