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Some Windows 10 Pro Users Say Their PCs Are No Longer Activated And Are Been Prompted To Downgrade To Windows 10 Home (betanews.com)
If you're having trouble activating your Windows 10 Pro computer today, you're not alone. Forums and social media networks are getting flooded with complaints from users who say their machines have automatically become deactivated. Users say they are having trouble connecting with Microsoft's activation servers, with some saying they are being prompted to downgrade to Windows 10 Home. According to Microsoft Answers, the company is working to resolve the issue. Only users who had upgraded their computers to Windows 10 by using product keys of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 appear to be impacted.
Probably because my upgrade path was Win7 -> Win8 -> Win10 -> Win10 Pro.
Apparently Microsoft needs more of them.. Pay up or go to Home!
"File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
just use linux, christ.
Windows 10 Pro.... being prompted to downgrade to Windows 10 Home
It gets even worse... just the other day, my Debian box prompted me to downgrade it to Windows 10 Pro.
On Monday I was at their office fixing an unrelated issue when I noticed the desktop graffiti/banner saying they weren't activated. Weird. I plugged in the Win10 product key on the case sticker and it activated again. I just summed it up to another M$ fuck-up, didn't know it was as widespread as it is.
I'm so glad I use Linux at home =D
It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.
https://answers.microsoft.com/...
but it's causing chaos in some places -
watermarks all over ... damn you
who where what when now?
This is what happens when a company moves from testing their own stuff to leaving the users to be beta testers.
They're literally passing partially tested over the fence and letting users deal with their QA issues.
This is also why I'll never own a Windows 10 machine which isn't running as a VM ... it's my machine, and I'll make decisions about when it is updated.
Fuck you, Microsoft.
I see stories like this and I have to ask myself, "Is Windows still viable as a development platform? Will it continue to be viable as a development platform in the future?"
I develop exclusively on Linux (some libraries in C/C++, some Python applications, Java server and desktop stuff, occasionally dabble in mobile, etc.). I have some colleagues who use Mac OS X as their platform and are happy with that. I do know a small number of developers working on Windows, but as far as I can tell they don't particularly like Windows as a development platform, especially those who have had to move to Windows 10 (precisely because they no longer control the updates and stuff can just randomly break).
I guess, all I can say is, "wow."
There was an XBox Live outage a few days ago where all digital purchases couldn't be verified. If you had the disc you could play online fine - but if you had purchased the game or even the DLC of a disc game then it was non playable as the service couldn't determine if you owned it or not.
I wonder if these issues are related.
(Also interesting that even if you've successfully downloaded and installed the game on their closed system they're constantly re-validating you)
It took several attempts for me to activate 10 Pro for Workstations last night, first attempt accepted the key then promptly reverted back to before I entered it. Next attempt accepted the key and stored it, but refused to activate "Server refused the connection attempt." Called in, the new call-in process is the stupidest thing ever - hand holding through putting in the product key (never mind that you would have already been staring at the screen with a activation challenge just to get the product activation phone number...) Gave up after having to confirm every. bloody. step. of. the. way that I knew what I was doing and had a product key and entered it correctly... Tried online activation again, NXDOMAIN response for the activation servers. Waited 10 minutes, server refused connection attempt. 10 more minutes and it auto-activated, followed by an error saying the server couldn't be resolved (?)
It doesn't help that they discontinued the awesome self-help "mobile" website for activation earlier this year - where you could copy and paste the challenge and response between your web browser and the phone-in activation window.
Microposs is making sure no one will be using their crap anymore by the end of the year, This year.
This Microposs is getting better by the day.
YOUR FIRED !!!
Nice to know that the OS has a dependency on other people over the interwebs not f*cking up, and still existing so you can simply turn your computer on and use it.
I for one, am glad I don't use an OS with such a f*cked up dependency.
Linux, internet or no internet, it still works. kernel.org goes away? Still works. Botched kernel upgrade? Roll back to previous version (in the time it takes to press reset and press an arrow key to select the older kernel), still works.
Microsoft - Activate or die. Looks like you don't even stay activated if things don't work out at their end. Good to know.
I bought a Win 10 Pro non-upgrade key. Was activated. Today I am not activated. Worth reporting to MS?
I've been buying my WIN 10 Pro licences from UK eBay vendors, and they've been working fine for a year or so. Less than $5 CAD. I believe our UK friends have different rules about transferring keys from decommissioned PCs-- they can actually resell otherwise unused used licences.
How does a valid licensed activated Windows install suddenly become deactivated and 'running an unauthorised version of windows' and require 'purchase of a genuine copy from the Windows(R)(TM) Store' without a hardware change to trigger it?
Never mind I'm fully licensed, legal, activated, and getting FUCKED OFF with nonsensical useless error messages. 0xC003FB43 oh thanks Microsoft that's a great fucking help.
for using a licensed copy.
Just had it popup on 2 systems with MSDN keys. Never had any previous version of Windows on those so the upgrade path is probably a red herring.
Re-activate with the original keys or another MSDN key doesn't work.
Windows users put up with quite a lot.
On the business side, stuff like this is regarded as just a cost of doing business.
On the home side, Linux is scary and doesn't run the right games.
Windows 10 Pro is on either a 6 month or 12 month license renewal. You must pay either every 6 months or every 12 months to keep it activated. It's in the fine print in Chapter 83, Paragraph 12, subsection (c), subparagraph (4), section (b), on page 193 of the EULA.
Read the shit you agree to, sheeple.
I am having that same problem on a new PC which came with Windows 10 Pro installed. Just opened the box last night. -Mike
"Windows 10 will be the last version of Windows. Ever"
Remember that? I was wondering how they want to make it come true, but this is how it's done: By eventually making using it SO uncomfortable that even the most die-hard fan eventually switches to something else.
Hey, it worked for advertisers trying harder and harder to convince everyone to use adblockers, and lo and behold, they succeeded too eventually.
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
"Windows 10, by Microsoft. A new day, a new fuck up"
EXTORTIONISTS. most unreliable crap ever. This does it, MS OS can't be used for anything reliably. Say goodbye to the proffesional market MS.
It's truly amazing how much abuse some users are willing to take just to use Windows. The only explanation that makes any sense at this point is that they like the abuse.
Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
I have a laptop which has a key attached from purchase time whith Windows 10 Pro. I am also getting the issue of being told I need to activate and when I run the troubleshooter, it says I need to wipe and load Windows Home as that is the digital license key that is attached.
On the home side, Linux is scary and doesn't run the right games.
It's not scary. I ran it for years. I just see little use for a gaming PC that doesn't play the games I want.
Actually, you can run Windows games in Linux with Steam now.
Windows 7 user here, so I don't quite understand how this problem could happen unless your Win 10 Pro machine calls home when it's powered up, restored from hibernation or sleep, or at random times, and has lost the Win 10 Pro upgrade key.
This problem and the bricking of some PCs that updated to 1809 makes me wonder about ever updating to Win 10. That version has apparently been pulled. Microsoft's QC army, read end users, reported this problem to the development team and it was ignored. A second group of Windows developers is working on 1903, or whatever it's called, presumably for a spring, 2019, update. What surprises will that version have? We should be excited to learn about new problems.
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act. George Orwell
Apparently Microsoft is internally very disorganized. A previous comment of mine:
Microsoft is poorly managed? Plenty of evidence. (Oct. 20, 2018)
How long does it take to make sure that the story heading is grammatically correct?
Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law - Aleister Crowley
If more people volunteered for ReactOS we could have a viable Windows Compatible OS.
Many IT pros keep saying how horrible MS is, switch, to ??? linux. But M$oft exists, is a top company, and is used by 99% of businesses. Interesting that a shoddy poor quality software company is still in business and has NO viable competitors in the business community. Even IBM is finally dying, as well as CA. Hell, Oracle is in survival mode as well.
You can run some Windows games in Linux with steam now... the ones they could easily port / modify. Sadly if you want anything new or just a AAA title, you're still stuck with Windows. So many cry babies here, boo hoo it deactivated itself for a bit, it must be a horrible OS. jeeze..
640k ought to be enough for anyone.
If i am reading this right, microsoft servers are deactivating licences now?
So what this actually says is that at any point in time Microsoft can just magically say "nope, your operating system is invalid, please pay us to validate your operating system"
ooh boy, I feel sorry for anyone that does any form of support in the future. Sure Microsoft may never do that intentionally, but then if the system can easily suffer from such a failure then what other failures can possibly be waiting in the wings. This one happened to people with Pro licenses but what happens if the next one is on the server side and AD/DC servers stop working?
On the home side, Linux is scary and doesn't run the right games.
Really?
https://www.protondb.com/
Add the bitlocker default "choose HW encryption" to the recent list of "Whoopsie-doodle" to which MS has subjected us. Bitlocker will choose the HDD/SSD hardware encryption by default, foregoing its own, superior encryption. In some cases, the hardware encryption is an algorithm of X=X;
Which is why if you are going to be using Windows 10 you just use KMSPico to activate it and not have to deal with any of the bullshit. Even better, you can easily upgrade to the Enterprise edition at no additional cost.
Here's my upgrade path: MS Windows 95 -> MS Windows 95 OSR2 -> MS Windows 98 -> MS Windows 98 SE -> Linux.
Yes, it absolutely is. Our development team uses Windows exclusively when developing. We have zero OS issues. Our production servers are primarily Linux (no GUI).
It's actually perfectly reasonable to use hardware acceleration by default when the hardware claims to support it, the problem there is shoddy hardware making false claims.
This is also caused by black box security products, they claim to do something (encrypt your data) but don't disclose enough about how and just expect you to trust them.. How many more vendors are hiding crap like this that just hasn't been discovered yet?
http://spamdecoy.net - free throwaway anonymous email - avoid spam!
The whole idea that i need to depend on a outside party whom i lease my software from , so that I own nothing and have no control over my own computing environment does not sit well with me. It seems it should not sit well with anyone, but perhaps I'm just getting to be an old foggie.
âoeTolerance applies only to persons, but never to truth. Intolerance applies only to truth, but never to persons.
This is also affecting users that used the store to buy a digital license.
I just noticed aswell,
Nothing changed hardwarewise , yet it's gone. No way to reactivate.
Now if microsoft thinks i'm gonna reinstall win 8 , upgrade to 8 pro then to 8.1 pro and then to win 10 , they are gravely mistaken.
I got a licence for win 10 that way AND i got one from the insider program, yet none work.
Windows Ransomeware anyone ?
Windows 10 1809 : The gift that keeps on giving...
Not that I use M$ anymore -- dumped M$ over 15 years ago at home and left a mixed/M$ shop 6 years ago, but it seems that M$ might have their Subscription OS mechanism up and running. I mean, they've already implemented Subscription M$Office so the Subscription M$OS is probably in their corporate pipeline. Just an early test. (And why does your PC have to check in with M$ "Activation Servers" anyway? It wasn't like that in the "old days".)
Unbelievable..
A fresh format install of Win 10 Pro includes candy crush and other crap by default. If I am the product (my eyeballs), then the OS should be free. Why does a "Pro" OS come with all this bloat?
Outlook 2010 does not show file dialogs (for example, to Save as...) when in high contrast mode anymore, not since 1809, so when I have to do just that in Excel, I can't. Why? Because I can't change themes unless this is activated. And it's not activated. I AM PISSED OFF!
I wish there was a bump button on slash dot to say #metooslashdot .. something like that. ;-) happened to me last week on a few laptops. i just waited for the msft azure network to self heal..
I wasted a few hours on this insanity this morning.
My final solution (tried many options) was to use some tools from Ratborus.
KMS Clean to remove my existing key, and then W10 Digital Activation with KMS38 option.
It now says:
Windows(R), Professional edition:
Volume activation will expire 1/18/2038
Now where do I send an Invoice to Microsoft for wasting my morning on this BS?
If you need a copy of KMS Tools Portable, it's here
https://www.solidfiles.com/fol...
The password is part of the filename, so for the latest version:
KMS_Tools_Portable_01.11.2018_password_1234567890987654321.7z
The password is 1234567890987654321
Hard to stick up for Microsoft anymore, heads should have rolled long time ago. Maybe not enough of the Windows team take anything seriously anymore. Used to be you activated Windows once and that was it, now it appears it calls home every time Windows update is run and if it can't confirm the license it kicks you out. Yeah it really makes me want to use even more Microsoft services, NOT.
M$ is working on making you PAY for Windows every 6 months to one year. The software that controls this hiccuped and deactivated Windows. Soon you will be getting warnings that your PC is about to become deactivated unless you update (Pay) your subscription. Yeah, Fuck M$. Already made the move from Win7 to Mint. Enough of this horse shit.
Google: Removewat 2.2.9 Windows 7, 8, 8.1 & 10 Activator
I had bought Win 10 Pro digital download from amazon and upgraded my system from Home. Today I saw the message that I needed to activate Windows but the Activation section of the new settings app pretty much told me to get lost and it couldn't do anything.
I found the following Software Licensing Manager command and was able to activate. /ipk my-license-key /ato
I just ran
slmgr
from an elevated command prompt then slmgr
Microsoft needs to take a serious introspective look at how they treat their customers and pull their heads from their rears.
What a colossal embarassment on their part. The whole idea of Windows 10 is going to be the downfall of Microsoft.
That gerbils use Windows 10 Home.
So why not dual boot? Use windows only to game, and boot to Linux to do real work. Problem solved since 1990
You must like putting up with peoples shit. Does it make your dick hard?
It's Office that's keeping users captive to Windows. A shitty (and costly) OS experience only nudges those who can closer to pursuing productivity alternatives.
You don't use APKTools? They not only solve problems like this, except for the key not working issue, but also host files.
Slashdot version of penis measuring
Seems to be fixed now, multiple users reporting successful reactivation (including me!).
Use fucking spell check once in a while.
That's not hardware acceleration. That's abdication of responsibility.
Agree with parent. ProtonDB/Wine looks good on paper, but really, doesn't support most of what I'd like to play. I haven't played half of the assassin's creed games yet
I play heroes of the storm daily, which works...only on lowest graphics settings.
gta 5 doesn't seem to work either, unless stuttering is acceptable. Pretty much anything that I would like to play has some major issues.
At least world of warcraft seems to work, which I've been considering playing again.
I use lightroom for my hobby photography as well, which kind of works, but only when you are lucky.
Windows is not a viable develop target.
I've been a long term .NET developer and am moving all projects away from Windows.
What may absolutely shock you is how good Mono is. I can spin up a Visual Studio C# project and compile a Windows Forms application. Then transfer the files to the Linux Desktop (in this case Linux Mint) and double click the exe file and that fucker runs. And runs well and supports a huge part of the application space.
Yes, really. The page you linked to is basically advertising a 50% success rate (and at what performance degradation).
When MS has a problem your games are the only things to have to consider.
Do work on real OS.
Domestic spying is now "Benign Information Gathering"
Professional operating systems do not deactivate themselves for specious reasons. Therefore, Win 10 Pro is not worthy of the "Pro" nomenclature, and customers of Win 10 Pro are not getting what they paid for.
Those "cry babies" you refer to? They are more accurately known as irate customers who paid for a professional-grade product, and damn sure have the right to be mad when shit like this happens.
Oh crap. You'll summon it.
Windows users put up with quite a lot.
On the business side, stuff like this is regarded as just a cost of doing business.
And seeing competitors that doesn't have such costs. Must be fun!
On the home side, Linux is scary and doesn't run the right games.
If all you care about are the latest games that the stores try to push. There are plenty of Linux games. Games you don't get tired of in a week, because they aren't designed to get boring fast so you buy another.
Actually I think the pirates may be the ones who escape this unscathed. All of my pirated windows 10 installations are perfectly fine and completely up to date. Piracy wins again.
When you used to buy software and own it?
Sounds like you have very low-end needs from an OS and don't mind tinkering with broken systems. True, Linux has some bugs, but you can fix them yourself and after that it can usually be left alone for years, without shenanigance and annoyances.
I try to avoid using my remaining Windows 10 laptop for fear of MS breaking it; if they do succeed in breaking it and I'm faced with fixing it like what you had to do, then I really give up and will reformat that computer with some other os
Better yet, virtualize Windows with a dedicated GPU on the VM. No need to reboot anymore.
Use a sane operating system that does not phone home to big brother demanding that you once again pay for what you already own. Run Linux instead; it really doesn't care what you do with it. I ditched Windows around 2002, when my Windows XP registry got corrupted. You really won't miss Windows. Everything is so much faster and better with Linux.
That's OK, all of the Assassin's Creed games are crap and so is Ubisoft.
Fortunately all of the good Deus Ex games (everything except that piece of shit mobile conversion "The Fall") is rated gold or better.
Sounds like you just need higher standards for games.
Haha, true. Maybe this is the reason, I've been putting them off for a while.
Nonetheless, while the guys behind proton are doing great work, it is still a 50/50 chance that the game you start to crave will actually work.
Clean activation has been a thing for MANY years. Forget whatever you imagine to be so and visit appropriate fora like MDL. .isos (checksums, what are they?) over the years and activated with no problems. If in doubt, take a clean snapshot before activating so you can revert. Remember MSFT and AV companies flag activators as malware. Know what you are doing and that's no worry.
Windows has its uses so most of my installs live in VMs on Linux hosts which don't connect to the internet. I've downloaded many clean
Take my post for nothing but do find out for yourself.
"This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
I see no reason to activate Windows conventionally and haven't in many years. I don't need to give MSFT access to my installs so I don't.
"This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
Some users require Windows applications. CAD software comes to mind. I use whatever serves me with zerofucks given, but I prefer to contain Windows in VMs and I take snapshots before updating. My VMs aren't connected to the internet.
I don't activate Windows online. Clean .isos and activators work fine.
"This post is an artistic work of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact."
Better yet, use Wine and/or Proton. You can avoid having to touch Microsoft's proprietary, third-world cut and paste garbage code entirely.
In recent years, Wine has made HUGE strides. Now with the backing of Valve, Proton (which will have its updates folded back into Wine) is really kicking ass out of the gate. Windows is dead and obsolete. In ten more years, people will be saying things like "Remember back in the dark ages when we had to use Windows??" and have a good laugh at Microsoft's expense.