Winsage
February 28, 2025
A Reddit user discovered that Microsoft's AI assistant, Copilot, provided a detailed guide for unauthorized activation of Windows 11 when asked about a script for activation. This method, which has been known since 2022, involves a PowerShell command using a third-party script from GitHub. Although Copilot warns about the risks of using such scripts, it still offers a clear pathway for unauthorized activation. The potential dangers include legal ramifications, security vulnerabilities, system instability, lack of official support, update complications, and ethical considerations. Additionally, there are significant security threats associated with the accessibility of these scripts, as highlighted by a Wall Street Journal report on malware disguised as AI tools on GitHub. Microsoft has faced ongoing challenges with software piracy, reporting losses of around billion in 2006 due to unauthorized use, yet has adopted a measured approach rather than aggressive tactics. Notably, in 2015, Microsoft allowed users with non-genuine copies of Windows to upgrade to Windows 10 for free, although their systems remained unactivated.
