Barry Broskowitz posted:For those who needs MS windows for the extremely short amount of time to run the DCS firmware update, these option should do the job.
What about performing future DCS software updates?
Again, what features are not present? Your linked page doesn't say, or I didn't see it.
This is only good until Microsoft changes its policy.
What about performing future DCS software updates?
Ummm.... install the trial copy again or keep running the unactivated version. Trust me, unless you are a business doing this for many computers, MS doesn't care. While negotiating our volume license for MS office, I told our sales rep about testing windows 10 on a laptop at home without a license and not being activated, they didn't mind as it would only give me more exposure to a product they want to sell to me as a consumer.
Again, what features are not present? Your linked page doesn't say, or I didn't see it.
Directly from the "How-To Geek" article posted above:
Initially, you won’t notice a difference. Eventually, Windows will start nagging you a tiny bit. First, you’ll notice a watermark in the bottom-right corner of your screen. You’ll also see a “Windows isn’t activated. Activate Windows now.” link at the bottom of the Settings app. This is the only form of nag you’ll see–there are no pop-up windows, for example.
Second, you’ll be unable to change your desktop wallpaper and from the Personalization > Background screen in the Settings app. You’ll see a “You need to activate Windows before you can personalize your PC” message at the top of this window, and the options for changing your wallpaper will be grayed out.
Aside from these basic limitations, your Windows 10 system will continue to work forever. There are no nag prompts aside from the watermark, you’ll get all the system updates, and everything else is completely functional. The only thing that could change this is a Windows 10 update, but Microsoft has become increasingly lenient since Windows 7.
The user experience is reduced but the core functionality of running programs is not crippled.
This is only good until Microsoft changes its policy.
In the days of Windows XP unactivated version would completely lock out until a valid license key was entered and the OS was activated via WGA. MS Policy more recently changed the other way with the release of Windows 7 in 2010 allowing you to run an unactivated OS for as long as you want but you have to be willing to deal with some nagging prompts.
Look at the current landscape of PC sales. I can buy a new "cheapo" laptop for around $300 with windows 10 home installed. The only folks left out are those with Chromebooks and Macs. If MS can get those people to install a boot camp with a (pirated or trial) version of Win 10, that a plus for a MS. It only helps them sell more product by directly advertising to those who currently use a competitive product.
The How-To Geek article was put up in 2017, if MS was really concerned about this don't you think they would have had a conversation with the folks at How-To Geek about removing this article for everyone to read? This article is pretty easy to find and How-To Geek is also a popular read website.
