Windows licenses Archives

Winsage

May 1, 2026

Windows Weekly 981: Semi-Sophisticated

Leo, Richard, and Paul discussed developments in the Windows Insider Program, Snapdragon X2 gaming, artificial intelligence, and Xbox. Two changes in the Insider Program were noted. Microsoft has open-sourced early MS-DOS source code. Intel reported a .7 billion loss, which Paul attributes to 'collusion.' Microsoft and OpenAI are revising their partnership, with Microsoft 365 Copilot gaining enhanced AI features in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and GitHub Copilot moving to a usage-based billing model starting June 1. OpenAI is reportedly entering the mobile phone market, while Adobe's Firefly AI Assistant is in preview, and Anthropic is increasing its creator space involvement. Microsoft Gaming has rebranded to Xbox, with new leadership focused on future plans, including a mobile game store pending changes in Apple's policies. Valve will release its Steam Controller next week. A listener inquired about purchasing Windows 11 on Arm for Mac virtualization, leading to suggestions for cost-saving options. PowerToys 0.99 introduces new utilities and improvements. This week’s episode of RunAs Radio compares M365 Copilot and Claude Cowork. Reifel Rye is recommended as the brown liquor of the week.

Winsage

April 26, 2026

Go straight to sell! Windows second-chance setup hawks Microsoft services at IT’s expense

Months after acquiring a laptop, users may encounter a prompt from Windows 11 stating, “You’re almost done setting up your PC.” This leads to a series of inquiries about adopting Microsoft’s recommended browser settings, linking a phone for SMS notifications, and acknowledging Office installation. Users may feel compelled to click through these prompts, which can include advertisements, such as for Xbox Game Pass Premium at .99 per month. This series of prompts is referred to as the Second Chance Out of Box Experience (SCOOBE), which can resurface due to Windows updates and may lead to unnecessary support calls and potential unauthorized subscriptions in organizational settings. Users can disable SCOOBE by adjusting settings in Windows or Group Policy, but ongoing vigilance is required due to the evolving nature of Microsoft’s software.

Winsage

November 16, 2025

Windows 11 Pro upgrade plummets under $10

Prices for a Windows 11 Pro license have dropped below , making it affordable to upgrade older PCs into capable daily drivers. The upgrade offers a streamlined interface, enhanced multitasking with snap layouts, improved search functionality, and integrated Microsoft Teams. It also includes advanced security features like virtualization-based security, Smart App Control, and BitLocker device encryption. Windows Update packages are reported to be up to 40% smaller, allowing older hardware to operate more efficiently. To ensure compatibility, a machine must have a 64-bit CPU, at least 4GB of RAM, a minimum of 64GB storage, support for Secure Boot, and TPM 2.0. Microsoft's PC Health Check app can verify these requirements. A smooth setup requires a discounted Windows 11 Pro license, an 8–16GB USB drive for installation, and access to free online installation media and drivers. The clean installation process involves backing up files, creating a bootable USB installer, installing Windows 11 Pro, and running Windows Update for patches. Users can optimize their setup by enabling Storage Sense, Core Isolation, and uninstalling unnecessary applications. StatCounter reports that Windows 11 powers about one-third of the world’s PCs, improving performance for browsers and office applications. A clean install can significantly reduce boot times and enhance overall system responsiveness. Security features like Secure Boot and Credential Guard help reduce vulnerabilities. When purchasing a Windows license, it's important to buy from reputable sellers to ensure the key is legitimate. Students and employees may have access to free or low-cost licenses through educational or corporate programs. For machines that cannot run Windows 11, modern Linux distributions like Mint and Ubuntu offer practical, cost-free alternatives with user-friendly installers and built-in drivers.

Winsage

September 10, 2025

If Microsoft wins this UK court case it might spell the end of second-hand Windows licenses

Microsoft and software reseller ValueLicensing are in a legal battle at the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal, which could significantly impact the second-hand software market in Europe. ValueLicensing is claiming £270 million from Microsoft, alleging anti-competitive practices that limit the availability of licenses for resale. The dispute centers on copyright laws, with Microsoft arguing that certain components of its operating system cannot be resold. The trial's outcome may set a precedent affecting the future of software resale and consumer access to affordable Microsoft products.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

Microsoft key resale fight heads to court in the UK — case potentially puts cheap Windows keys at risk

A UK-based reseller's case against Microsoft regarding the resale of second-hand Windows and Office licenses is being heard by the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) over three days, concluding on September 11. The court will determine if certain components of Microsoft's software are exempt from the EU’s software resale regulations, which currently allow the resale of perpetual software licenses. Microsoft argues that the resale doctrine applies only to computer programs and not to components like the graphical user interface (GUI), which they claim remain under copyright protection after license transfer. A ruling in favor of Microsoft could end the resale of second-hand Windows licenses in the UK. This case is part of a larger legal battle initiated by ValueLicensing in 2021, which accuses Microsoft of harming the pre-owned software market. The comprehensive trial is expected in 2026, but current proceedings may influence the case's direction. Additionally, with Windows 10 support ending soon, any increase in licensing costs could negatively impact users needing to upgrade their systems.

Winsage

August 2, 2025

Microsoft kills Windows 11 SE, another in a long line of failed ChromeOS competitors

Microsoft will discontinue updates for Windows 11 SE, a version of the operating system aimed at competing with ChromeOS in education. This was announced through a support document, which stated that Windows 11 SE will not receive the upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update. Support for Windows 11 SE, including updates and security fixes, will end in October 2026. Microsoft recommends users transition to devices that support other editions of Windows 11 for ongoing support.

Winsage

March 6, 2025

Navigating the Windows 10 to 11 Migration for Amazon WorkSpaces Personal

Windows 10 Enterprise will reach its end-of-support (EOS) on October 14, 2025, necessitating a transition to Windows 11 for end-user computing administrators. The migration process is outlined for Amazon WorkSpaces Personal users utilizing the Bring Your Own License (BYOL) model, excluding WorkSpaces with Windows licenses or Windows 10 LTSC versions. Post-EOS, existing Windows 10 WorkSpaces will remain operational, but new Windows 10 images cannot be imported. Migration to Windows 11 can be done through two primary pathways: the WorkSpaces Migration API or establishing new Windows 11 WorkSpaces infrastructure. The WorkSpaces Migration API allows for a straightforward migration without needing new infrastructure but is a one-way process with no rollback option. The steps include importing a new Windows 11 BYOL image, launching a WorkSpace, applying customizations, creating a custom image, and migrating users in batches. The new Windows 11 BYOL WorkSpaces infrastructure offers more control and flexibility, allowing for coexistence of Windows 10 and Windows 11 environments temporarily. This option requires careful planning and may incur additional costs. Steps include importing a new Windows 11 image, launching a WorkSpace, applying customizations, creating a custom image, and then migrating users before deleting the original Windows 10 WorkSpaces. Dan is a Senior AWS End User Compute Solutions Architect with expertise in configuring and optimizing end-user computing solutions, specializing in EC2, Microsoft, and Linux-based workloads since March 2016.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

Hacker group releases updated tool to activate almost all modern Microsoft software

A hacking collective named Massgrave has introduced a new activation method called "TSforge Activation," which allows for permanent activation of various Microsoft products while bypassing the company's Digital Rights Management (DRM) system. This method is part of the updated Microsoft Activation Scripts (MAS) project, specifically the MAS 3.0 update released in 2024. TSforge exploits Microsoft's Software Protection Platform (SPP) by manipulating key files to accept counterfeit product keys. It is compatible with Windows 7 and later versions, as well as Office versions from 2013 to 2024. The MAS toolkit, which is open-source and hosted on GitHub, offers multiple activation methods and is framed by its developers as an alternative activation approach rather than piracy.

Winsage

February 19, 2025

This open-source tool can activate practically every Windows and Office release

The Massgrave team has released version 3.0 of their Microsoft Activation Scripts (MAS), introducing TSforge, which allows activation of all Windows editions from version 7 onward and all Office versions since Office 2013. MAS can activate commercial Windows licenses, including the Extended Security Updates (ESU) program for certain Windows 7 to 10 editions. The tool is open-source and targets the Software Protection Platform (SPP) directly. MAS is hosted on GitHub, and despite its association with software piracy, Microsoft has not intervened in its availability. The Massgrave team has documented their processes for educational purposes and acknowledges the SPP as an advanced DRM system compared to earlier versions.

Winsage

December 1, 2024

Microsoft’s support docs are urging Windows 10 users to get Windows 11

Microsoft has announced that support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. After this date, users will not receive free software updates, technical assistance, or security fixes. Microsoft has updated its support documentation and added a banner on a support page to inform users about this change. Users are encouraged to transition to Windows 11, which has stricter hardware requirements, including the need for TPM 2.0. Users can opt for an Extended Support Update program for Windows 10 at an annual fee to continue receiving security updates. A detailed end-of-support table for various Windows 10 versions has been provided, showing their start dates and end dates for mainstream and extended support. Additionally, promotional banners for Windows 11 are increasing within the Windows 11 Settings app, indicating Microsoft's intent to encourage the transition.