this post was submitted on 03 Jan 2026
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755
Microsoft kills official way to activate windows without internet (www.neowin.net)
submitted 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by 1984@lemmy.today to c/technology@lemmy.world
155 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Now when trying to activate the OS by attempting to call the phone number for Microsoft Product Activation, an automated voice response says the following: "Support for product activation has moved online.

Linux is this way, guys.

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[–] Darkcoffee@sh.itjust.works 88 points 5 days ago (2 children)

This is the dumbest decision for one reason alone: some laptops and desktops that lack updated drivers cannot connect to the internet.

It literally happened to me with a lenovo laptop, where I had to find a way to bypass the internet requirement or else I'd have a $800 paperweight.

If I didn't need Windows for a specific reason I'd be on Linux, believe me. But this decision is ridiculous.

[–] Anivia@feddit.org 47 points 5 days ago (2 children)

I don't see how this particular thing is an issue. You don't need to activate Windows during the setup. You can skip activation, update the driver, and then activate windows afterwards

[–] QuandaleDingle@lemmy.world 10 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I think the real problem is setting up Windows without a Microsoft account?

[–] WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.works 3 points 5 days ago

that wouldn't work without tinkering anyways with the latest windows 11 versions

[–] acosmichippo@lemmy.world -1 points 5 days ago

or use your phone or any other device to get the activation key.

[–] Passerby6497@lemmy.world 23 points 5 days ago

Activation scripts can be put onto a USB drive, so if nothing else, there's always a way to keep using the hardware you paid for (assuming you want to stay hostage to these fucks)