Share via

What makes Windows activate automatically?

Anonymous
2023-12-25T03:18:59+00:00

Hello everyone.

I hope you're all doing well.

I have no idea what's going on, but... my Windows is activating the license automatically.

The steps to reproduce the problem are as follows:

  1. Install a clean copy of Windows;
  2. During the initial configuration, continue with a local account (just to ensure that I'm not using an ESD license);
  3. Enable the internet connection after the setup ends.

That's it, Windows is activated without ask for keys or login with an account!

Well, you can think that is OEM key related, but no.
wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey shows to me as empty and slmgr.vbs shows as RETAIL channel.

If I try to uninstall the key with slmgr.vbs /upk it will be gone, and Windows will become unactivated. However, when the computer restarts, Windows will activate automatically again.

This "problem" occurs on any computer where I use a Windows 8.1 Pro RETAIL key purchased from DreamsPark when I was in college.
In other words, if I use my Windows 8.1 key on any computer, this computer became like a kind of OEM activation, but works with all Windows versions.

Don't ask for key or login, just connect and then it's activated.

Please, could someone help me stop Windows from automatically activating or explain to me what is happening?

I know it seems irrelevant, but it's bothering me a lot.

And I don't want to sell my old computers that allow other people to use any version of Windows for free.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

5 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2023-12-26T06:27:34+00:00

    To find connected devices, log into your Microsoft account and open this: account.microsoft.com/devices

    Select Show details to see info for that device. Under your device's name, select More actions > Remove.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-12-25T16:37:10+00:00

    Even if you aren't using a Microsoft account now, if the device is connected to a Microsoft account, Windows will get activated automatically. I see you're using a local account.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-12-26T01:04:47+00:00

    Hello Ravi Chahar.

    And how do I disconnect the device from the account?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-12-25T13:54:47+00:00

    Hello Ravi Chahar.
    Thanks your reply.

    I'm not using a Microsoft Account:

    Image

    Windows is still activating even without a Microsoft account or OEM key in firmware.

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2023-12-25T06:34:02+00:00

    Hey there!

    My name is Ravi, an independent advisor and expert user. I am happy to help you. :)

    I understand how confusing it can be when Windows gets activated automatically. Please allow me to explain.

    When you set up a computer for the first time and log in using a Microsoft account, the device gets linked to your account and Windows gets activated. So, after that, even if you reinstall Windows, the device will automatically activate Windows as soon as you connect it to the internet.

    There's nothing wrong with it. It's a normal behaviour.

    >> Please, could someone help me stop Windows from automatically activating or explain to me what is happening?

    You can stop Windows activation by disconnecting your device from your Microsoft account.

    Feel free to get in touch again if you have any additional questions.

    Cheers,

    Ravi

    0 comments