Microsoft’s long-standing business model for its famous operating system has been turned on its head with the release of Windows 10. For the first time, Microsoft is offering the most recent iteration of its OS as a free upgrade, though this is only available for a limited period of time. Many PC owners say they were still able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free even after the deadline posted by Microsoft, though it’s unclear how long this will continue.
Microsoft has not made Windows 10 an explicitly free OS outside of the free upgrade scheme. However, you can actually download the installation media creator tool, run it, and produce a full Windows 10 installer (with a flash drive) to be installed on as many computers as you want.
Is the Unactivated free Windows 10 copy secure?
You’ll be able to install Windows 10 with this installer, but there are a few restrictions. They’re mainly cosmetic, though. The more important questions about using an unactivated version of Windows 10 are related to security. Is it as secure as an activated copy, or are there vulnerabilities users need to know about? Does it have enough malware protection and security features? For business users, would it be necessary to use third-party security solutions like a web application firewall or an anti-ransomware system?
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What makes the Un-activated Windows 10 different
After Windows XP, Microsoft apparently stopped caring about users who didn’t activate their OS. In the succeeding iterations, the limitations have been gradually reduced until what’s left is just the personalization restriction in Windows 10. The latest version no longer logs out users forcibly, prevents the installation of system updates, or flashes an obtrusive “Activate Windows” message on the screen every so often.
The unactivated Windows 10 gets all system updates from Microsoft, including the cosmetic ones. It also enables access to the registry editor and system configuration functions. So, it’s basically the same as the activated version of both the Home and Pro variants.
The Takeaway
Yes, unactivated Windows 10 can be secure. It comes with the same security tools as the activated version. However, it’s recommended to add more defenses to ensure that vulnerabilities are adequately plugged. Make Windows 10 more secure by adding a third-party anti-malware solution, keeping it updated, and addressing the human aspect of computer security weaknesses.
Hello, My name is Shari & I am a writer for the ‘Outlook AppIns’ blog. I’m a CSIT graduate & I’ve been working in the IT industry for 3 years.