Good morning, I just accepted an IT Manager position at a company and inherited the network and servers from the previous admin who moved out of country. In my discovery phase, I found a production server that has Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard installed in trial mode without a permanent license key. This trial license is going to expire in 54 days. Does someone have a recommendation for where I can get a legitimate Server 2012 R2
Standard license? My other thought is this: would it be a better idea to buy a Windows Server 2016 Standard license and utilize its downgrade rights option to keep my existing Server 2012 machine up, but then I’ll have a license for 2016 ready to use in the future if this 2012 server ever goes away? Thanks for any advice. I’ve got a lot of clean up work to do here but starting with some of the big things that are time sensitive. I’ll probably be asking a whole lot more questions in
the near future... While Microsoft allows users to install and use Windows 10 or 11 without activating, some limitations apply. These limitations restrict our access to certain features and seriously threaten our privacy. But what exactly are these limitations? And, how does activating Windows help us overcome them? Why Does Microsoft Allow Users to Run Non-Activated Windows?In the days of Windows XP and Vista, Microsoft used to make the operating system unusable once the trial period was over. Therefore, people were left with a choice—buy the official copy or get a cracked version at a lower price, even free. The result was that cracked copies and license keys remained prevalent, resulting in substantial financial losses for Microsoft. To remedy this problem, Microsoft started letting Windows 10 users keep using it without activating it. This step has dramatically reduced piracy, and most Windows users end up paying for the license. Those who don't activate the operating system still use other Microsoft products—it's a win-win situation for Microsoft. Since then, Microsoft has allowed Windows 10 and 11 users to run a non-activated operating system version for as long as they want. However, it's essential to consider the following downsides if you plan on using the non-activated Windows for a long time: 1. Lack of Security Updates
Microsoft regularly releases updates to add new features to the operating system and make it safer. While Microsoft does make updates available to non-activated Windows, free users often don't receive security updates. This means unlicensed users will always be at risk of viruses or hackers infiltrating their systems. Furthermore, each time a bug fix or patch is released, a licensed Windows automatically applies it as soon as it becomes available. In contrast, users having non-activated operating systems suffer from annoying issues for a long time. Thus, it is worth activating your operating system to ensure security and uninterrupted use. 2. Delays in the Introduction of New Builds and FeaturesIn the same way that Microsoft may skip sending you critical security updates on non-activated Windows, it may also take longer than usual for new features to be available. Therefore, while your friends would be enjoying new Windows builds with their activated OS, you might be stuck with outdated versions. Thus, if you don't want to fall behind your friends in getting new builds and enjoying new features, activate your operating system. 3. An Annoying "Activate Windows" Watermark on Screen An "Activate Windows" watermark appears in the bottom-right corner of the non-activated OS screen. Essentially, it reminds users to activate Windows when they get a chance and not use a non-activated version. A downside of this watermark is that it blocks your screen and even appears when you take a screenshot. Although there are several workarounds to remove the "Activate Windows" watermark, activating Windows is the ultimate solution for getting rid of this watermark. 4. Continual Reminders to Activate Windows
Even if you follow the workarounds to remove the "Activate Windows" watermark, Microsoft will still send you frequent reminders to activate your operating system. If you are using a trial, the reminder will inform you about its expiration and suggest activating it to use the restricted features. The only way to get rid of this annoying popup is to activate Windows. 5. A Non-Activated Copy of Windows Cannot be CustomizedWhile Microsoft allows unlicensed users to use non-activated Windows, it does not allow them to modify the appearance of their operating system. Thus, you will be greeted with the same look every day, which may take away the charm of using the operating system. Non-activated Windows cannot be customized in the following ways:
On a non-activated Windows PC, all the options described above will be grayed out in the Personalization settings. Unless you activate the OS, they will remain the same. 6. Windows Upgrades Will No Longer Be Free
Microsoft allows users to upgrade to a newer Windows version for free, for instance, to Windows 11, if their system meets Windows 11's requirements. However, this option is only available to users who have already activated their operating systems. Non-activated users have to reinstall the new operating system using different workarounds, but Windows installed using these workarounds remains non-activated too. Thus, as you will receive all future operating system upgrades free of charge, why not buy a license once and use it for a lifetime? 7. An Uninvited Legal SnareIt's completely legal to use the non-activated version of Windows for individual or personal use, and Microsoft does not limit how long you can use it. Still, it's not recommended for commercial use. That's because if an audit comes around and you fail to present software licensing information, you can end up in serious trouble. In addition, if someone in your organization uses illegal methods to activate Windows without your knowledge, that could put you in serious trouble. Thus, you should activate Windows on Windows-based PCs in your organization to avoid legal trouble. Purchase Windows Once, and You'll Never Regret ItHopefully, you are now aware of the limitations of using a non-activated Windows and its associated risks. Furthermore, the logic behind activating Windows should also be clear. Lastly, since Windows is a one-time purchase, why not invest in it? When you are ready to activate Windows, purchase an official copy and avoid pirated ones. A pirated copy will degrade your computer's performance, hackers can easily infiltrate your system, and you won't receive any updates, making you more vulnerable—it's not worth the risk. |
