buy the license

you can get a key for $10
be sure to use a site that takes paypal

Originally posted by Zένø™ 👌:

buy the license

I did. Bought it when I build my PC a few years ago. In my activation window it says "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account".

I did not use Windows all this time with that mark present, and I did not use a fraudulent key, it's a fully legitimate copy of Windows.

You may try to write to Microsoft support, but after 14th October, they might ignore it.

Also check instruction how to activate Windows, maybe that will help
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/activate-windows-c39005d4-95ee-b91e-b399-2820fda32227

Originally posted by Good Night Owl:

Originally posted by Zένø™ 👌:

buy the license

I did. Bought it when I build my PC a few years ago. In my activation window it says "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account".

I did not use Windows all this time with that mark present, and I did not use a fraudulent key, it's a fully legitimate copy of Windows.

Do you use local account or do you have your account linked to Microsoft Account?

Originally posted by C1REX:

Originally posted by Good Night Owl:

I did. Bought it when I build my PC a few years ago. In my activation window it says "Windows is activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account".

I did not use Windows all this time with that mark present, and I did not use a fraudulent key, it's a fully legitimate copy of Windows.

Do you use local account or do you have your account linked to Microsoft Account?

It was a Microsoft linked account. Though, after this I swapped to a local account.

I figured out how to remove the watermark, but I do still have a notification telling me my Windows is not activated. Very frustrating.

Originally posted by Good Night Owl:

Originally posted by C1REX:

Do you use local account or do you have your account linked to Microsoft Account?

It was a Microsoft linked account. Though, after this I swapped to a local account.

I figured out how to remove the watermark, but I do still have a notification telling me my Windows is not activated. Very frustrating.

Can you activate it again using the same key you’ve used before?

I’m not sure if I understand your problem. I understand the part that the system says it’s not activated but can’t understand how it’s saying it’s activated at the same time.

Originally posted by C1REX:

Originally posted by Good Night Owl:

It was a Microsoft linked account. Though, after this I swapped to a local account.

I figured out how to remove the watermark, but I do still have a notification telling me my Windows is not activated. Very frustrating.

Can you activate it again using the same key you’ve used before?

I’m not sure if I understand your problem. I understand the part that the system says it’s not activated but can’t understand how it’s saying it’s activated at the same time.

So If I went into my settings, it would tell me that my Windows is activated. It's even enrolled in the extended updates they are doing. Then yesterday, our of nowhere, it put the watermark in the corner of my screen.

I went online, and found some guides on how to remove the watermark, but I don't blame you for being confused. I was confused. It makes no sense for it to tell me in my settings that my license is active, but still give me that "Activate Windows" watermark at the same time.

I got the notification to go away. But maybe reactivating is a good idea, I didn't even consider that. If it comes back, I'll try that.

Windows 10 is now EOL (end-of-life). Microsoft wants you to switch to Windows 11. If you remain on 10, you now have a permanent watermark. Every user that remains on 10 will have that watermark.

Originally posted by pwnograffik:

Windows 10 is now EOL (end-of-life). Microsoft wants you to switch to Windows 11. If you remain on 10, you now have a permanent watermark. Every user that remains on 10 will have that watermark.

It definitely comes off that way, doesn't it? But you'd think more people would be talking about it. I briefly looked online, I don't see anyone else over the last few days talking about this. It's all old stuff.

It still say activated and be a now flagged key.

Contact Microsoft Tech Support and explain the issue and have your product key and OS product ID information ready to provide to them. Along with proof of purchase

Originally posted by Good Night Owl:

I've had Windows 10 for like.... IDK 20 years now what. I'm a time traveler.

Point is, over the past 10 years, I have never had this happen before. It suddenly showed up. How fix?

if you do not want to pay for it, windows doesnt need to be activated. it is no problem, because everything runs fine without activation. you just cannot do some customization and it is not illegal not to activate windows. thats mainly it!

this is what copilot, the windows chatbot says:

Can You Use Windows 10 Without Activation?
Yes, you can install and use Windows 10 without activating it. Microsoft allows this, and the system remains functional indefinitely. However, there are some limitations:

🔒 Limitations of Unactivated Windows 10
• Personalization is locked:
• You can't change your wallpaper, theme, colors, or lock screen.
• The settings are visible but greyed out or non-functional.
• Persistent watermark:
• A message saying “Activate Windows” appears in the bottom-right corner of your screen.
• Updates and security:
• You still receive security updates.
• Major feature updates might be delayed or restricted over time.
• Occasional reminders:
• Some apps or system dialogs may prompt you to activate.
• Legal status:
• Using Windows without activation is legal as long as you’re not using pirated keys.
• Microsoft tolerates it, especially for testing or delayed activation.

thx for reading!

Originally posted by Good Night Owl:

I've had Windows 10 for like.... IDK 20 years now what. I'm a time traveler.

Point is, over the past 10 years, I have never had this happen before. It suddenly showed up. How fix?

reinstall. maybe your win7/win10 key all thats needed. hardware or software triggered win genuine advantage

I had similar problem with windows 10 about a year ago, legit windows key turned out that updating the motherboard bios flagged it as new hardware.

since vista wga checks itself and hardware and software if its legit every 3 seconds