Microsoft kills official way to activate Windows 11/10 without internet

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Frustration with Windows and Microsoft’s Priorities

  • Many see modern Windows as intentionally degraded: ad-heavy, AI-pushed, telemetry-driven, and subordinate to Office 365, Azure, and Copilot upsell.
  • Strong nostalgia for Windows 2000/XP/7 and for a hypothetical “clean, stable, consistent, no-cruft” Windows that Microsoft never delivered.
  • Debate over cause: some blame malice/greed and “enshittification”; others invoke Hanlon’s razor (incompetence/organizational chaos), or say MBAs replaced engineers who cared about quality.

Activation, Offline Use, and Airgapped Systems

  • Core complaint: removing phone activation is seen as another step toward mandatory online + Microsoft account.
  • Some note that activation for offline machines still works via a web portal on another device, or via KMS/IoT editions; others are unsure or assume long-term tightening.
  • Airgapped/regulated environments (medical, industrial, offshore, etc.) are worried, since they often rely on ancient Windows versions and no internet connectivity.

Enterprise Focus vs Consumers

  • Commenters repeatedly say “enterprises are the whales”: Windows is now a funnel to high-margin cloud/subscription products, not a profit center itself.
  • Consumers are viewed as a low‑value testbed for ads and AI, with little real choice (OEM preinstalls, corporate mandates). Terms like “cloud feudalism” appear.

Shift Toward Linux and Other Alternatives

  • Many report finally moving main desktops and even gaming rigs to Linux (Fedora, Debian, Mint, openSUSE, SteamOS), often citing smoother day‑to‑day use and fewer frustrations.
  • Others highlight Linux’s rough edges: hardware quirks (Bluetooth, tablets), fragmented distros/desktops, streaming/DRM pain, and the need for technical babysitting.
  • For nontechnical family, some favor Linux with a browser‑only workflow; others think an iPad or staying on Windows is still more realistic.

Gaming, Anticheat, and the “Last Lock‑In”

  • Linux gaming is described as “good enough” for many via Proton/Steam Deck; specific titles like Helldivers 2 reportedly work well.
  • Kernel‑level anticheat and VR remain major blockers, especially for competitive multiplayer. Some see anticheat itself as sloppy/unsafe engineering.

Perception of Endgame

  • Common theories: Windows as thin client to Azure; “you will rent compute”; everything as subscription; Windows mainly a marketing channel.
  • A minority push back, saying they’ll simply activate online and don’t share the outrage.