Ars Technica

Is there anyway to tell if an OEM XP product key has been activated?

I have an opportunity to privately buy an OEM copy of Windows XP Pro still sealed with the disc, booklet, COA and everything from an acquaintance. He asserts that the product key has never been ...

Killjoy Microsoft Shuts Down Windows 11 Activation Without An Internet Connection

Microsoft has seemingly disabled phone call activation for Windows 11, and perhaps older versions as well, making it ...

Fake MAS Windows activation domain used to spread PowerShell malware

A typosquatted domain impersonating the Microsoft Activation Scripts (MAS) tool was used to distribute malicious PowerShell ...
TechSpot

Unactivated copies of Windows 11 will soon limit Edge customization, too

In context: Windows activation has been a part of PC users' lives since the Windows XP era, though Microsoft has made things a bit easier with Windows 10 and Windows 11. Now, on a non-activated OS, ...
ZDNet

XP Service Pack 1 targets politics, not users

COMMENTARY--Back when Windows had version numbers, the conventional wisdom--based on informed experience--said to wait for the .1 version. Now it says to wait for the first service pack. I've always ...
ZDNet

XP Service Pack 1 targets proposed settlement, not users

Back when Windows had version numbers, the conventional wisdom--based on informed experience--said to wait for the .1 version. Now it says to wait for the first service pack. I've always thought this ...