Windows 10 Is Activating Without Key?

[RocklandCompRepair]

Ok, So you built this computer and I assume you also purchased an OS correct?

Built the computer, haven't purchased an O.S. yet.

 

[RocklandCompRepair]

No such luck!

1. Deactivated Windows
2. Downloaded the ISO USB tool from MS on the deactivated desktop.
3. Installed Windows 10 Home x64 from the created USB drive on the custom desktop.
4. Checked activation. It was activated!

 

[Porthos]

Built the computer, haven't purchased an O.S. yet.

Is this just for you or is it for a client?

 

[Porthos]

No such luck!

1. Deactivated Windows
2. Downloaded the ISO USB tool from MS on the deactivated desktop.
3. Installed Windows 10 Home x64 from the created USB drive on the custom desktop.
4. Checked activation. It was activated!

The above was a waste of your time. Once a board is activated it stays activated.
This is why it was mentioned about it being a returned board sold as new.

 

[nlinecomputers]

The above was a waste of your time. Once a board is activated it stays activated.
This is why it was mentioned about it being a returned board sold as new.

At this point, who cares? If you are fine with open box treated as new then just buy your copy of Windows 10 and change the product key to match the new copy. It is possible that this is some weird activation bug but it is highly likely that this is just a returned mobo that Newegg sold you as new.

 

[mraikes]

Occam's razor says refurb motherboard sold as new.

 

[Computer Bloke]

Occam's razor says refurb motherboard sold as new.

But conspiracy-versus-cockup theory says that Microsoft is about to make Windows 10 free to everyone and they've accidentally updated their activation system ahead of the announcement.

Remember - you heard it here first.

 

[fincoder]

but this was brand new equipment direct from Newegg! And not from an authorized reseller. From Newegg themselves.

I don't get this statement. Isn't Newegg just another reseller, not a distributor or manufacturer.

At this point, who cares? If you are fine with open box treated as new then just buy your copy of Windows 10 and change the product key to match the new copy.

This is my feeling also. Apart from the possibility of the motherboard already having Windows 10 activated on it, it's also possibly just a Windows activation glitch. If it's the latter, it might well suddenly deactivate in a few days.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I don't get this statement. Isn't Newegg just another reseller, not a distributor or manufacturer.

Newegg like Amazon has third-party sellers. Not all are of reputable quality. That is what he is referring to. He is stating that Newegg wouldn't do that sort of thing unlike some of their sellers who might. Sadly I think he is overrating NewEgg.

 

[GTP]

From Newegg themselves.

But it still could have been a "used" board - returned to the manufacturer, repackaged and sent to newegg.
I've had used parts sold to me "as new." Needless to say they (the supplier) correct the problem or they they don't supply anything else.

 

[GTP]

But conspiracy-versus-cockup theory says that Microsoft is about to make Windows 10 free to everyone and they've accidentally updated their activation system ahead of the announcement.

Remember - you heard it here first.

...and... Bill Gate decides to compensate everyone who ever had an issue with Windows by giving them their money back!....

Hey! What's that pig doing flying around outside my window???

 

[nlinecomputers]

...and... Bill Gate decides to compensate everyone who ever had an issue with Windows by giving them their money back!....

Hey! What's that pig doing flying around outside my window???

I am with @Computer Bloke on this. Office 365 and AI research is the future of Microsoft. Windows has been in a steady decline in revenue for some time now.

 

[GTP]

Yeah, I guess I should agree with you. Apparently the're losing money on XBox, Surface, Windows Phone, LinkedIn, Skype for Business and a few others...

 

[frase]

I have a system here took Win10 Home activated off the bat - though is a win7 based system. I don't see the issue, if it activates why worry?
They take keys from the BIOS when installing HOME - pro is a different thing altogether, that one would need a new product key.

 

[phaZed]

Windows has been in a steady decline in revenue for some time now.

Mmmkay. Maybe flat, but not a decline.

Yeah, I guess I should agree with you. Apparently the're losing money on XBox, Surface, Windows Phone, LinkedIn, Skype for Business and a few others...

Except for Windows Phone and Surface, everything is up YoY double digits. Personal Computing could be seen as "flat".

 

[nlinecomputers]

Microsoft’s (MSFT) surge in the enterprise software market has been much stronger than it actually looks. Its Productivity and Business Processes segment, which hosts the company’s Software as a Service (SaaS" products like Office 365 and Dynamics 365, made $8 billion during the most recent quarter, growing 22% year-over-year. This segment was just $800 million short of the More Personal Computing segment that holds Windows revenues, and which declined by 7% during the same period.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4089901-microsofts-office-365-new-windows

 

[fincoder]

They take keys from the BIOS when installing

Only if it's an OEM prebuilt computer with a Windows 8/10 Home/Pro license. It does this for Home AND Pro.

The original question was about a custom-built PC, so no embedded license. It can only activate without a key if the motherboard had Windows 10 activated previously, or if there was a bizarre screw-up with Microsoft activation.

I agree though, I wouldn't worry about it. I would however include a legitimate Windows license with the computer when selling, and attempt to change the product key and re-activate to prevent it de-activating later when the customer has it.

 

[glennd]

bizarre screw-up with Microsoft

Noooo, surely not!??