
Windows 10 will keep nagging you to activate it and won’t allow you to change any of the options under Settings > Personalization, but otherwise work just fine. Windows will continue to work normally and you can do practically whatever you want.


You can download Windows 10 installation media from Microsoft and install it on a PC, in Boot Camp on a Mac, or in a virtual machine without providing a product key. Here’s the real secret: You don’t need to provide a product key to install Windows 10. RELATED: You Don't Need a Product Key to Install and Use Windows 10 Skip the Key and Ignore the Activation Warnings

The new activation wizard in Windows 10’s Anniversary Update will even help you troubleshoot hardware changes and reassociate the digital license with the correct PC. Sure, you can only do this if you’ve already upgraded to Windows 10, but you can continue to install Windows 10 for free on the same computer in the future–even if you replace its hard drive or other components.
