A recorded voice on Microsoft's activation hotline delivers a stark message: "Support for product activation has moved online ...

Hackers have figured out how to sidestep Windows 7’s activation process, continuing a long-running battle with Microsoft, which has blocked such tactics in the past. According to an article published ...

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

Microsoft has seemingly disabled phone call activation for Windows 11, and perhaps older versions as well, making it ...

I've been hanging out with a bad crowd lately. In the interest of research, I've been digging into message boards and forums run by unabashed Windows enthusiasts who are intent on breaking Microsoft's ...

Microsoft has silently discontinued its phone-based activation system for Windows and Office products, forcing users into an ...

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 ...

Microsoft has quietly taken another step toward an entirely online ecosystem, effectively ending phone-based activation for ...

Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10565 released yesterday with numerous functional improvements, but also a key change in the activation scheme: Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 product keys can be used to ...