Microsoft Eases Activation Restrictions With Windows 10 Anniversary Update

Ever since Microsoft introduced its anti-piracy activation scheme with Windows XP all those years ago, it has been a thorn in the side of hardware enthusiasts. To put it simply, Microsoft’s Windows Activation scheme uses a unique identifier, generated by the specific components in a computer system, along with a personalized serial number for the OS, to activate and tie a license to said system.  Performing minor upgrades usually didn’t cause any issues, but if you performed a major upgrade – like replacing a motherboard and processor, for example -- the OS would assume it was installed on another system and de-activate automatically, and force a call into Microsoft’s activation support line.

In Microsoft’s defense, over the years, I’ve personally found that a call into the automated activation support hotline would remedy the issue; Microsoft has never denied one of my re-activation attempts. But the process was tedious and annoying to say the least. With the latest build of Windows 10 available to insiders, however, Microsoft has introduced a new feature into Windows 10 that will make the re-activation process easier. The feature will be incorporated into the upcoming Windows 10 Anniversary Update due to hit later in the summer as well.

The feature is called the Activation Troubleshooter. Dona Sokar describes the feature on the Windows 10 blog thusly, “As part of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update and starting with this Insider Preview build, we’re introducing the Activation Troubleshooter that will help you address most commonly encountered activation issues on Genuine Windows devices including those caused by hardware changes.”

Microsoft is also incorporating the ability to link a Microsoft Account with a Windows license. If you already log into your machine using a Microsoft Account, the license will automatically be linked if you install one of the new builds. You can then use the license linked to your Microsoft Account to re-activate a genuine Windows 10 device by running the Activation Troubleshooter, whether it be during a reinstall or if you run into Activation issues caused by hardware changes.

Microsoft’s Activation tool hasn’t done much to stem piracy of the operation system and is a nuisance to people in my line of work that are constantly swapping out hardware in test machines, so I’d like to see it minimized even further down the road – especially since hundreds of millions of Windows 10 licenses have been given away for free already – but these changes are welcome ones nonetheless.