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

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Reaction to Removal of Offline Activation

  • Many see killing phone activation and forcing online flows as yet another step in making Windows hostile: dark patterns around pushing Microsoft accounts, ads, telemetry, and AI integrations.
  • Several note practical issues: new hardware where Windows lacks network drivers now can’t complete setup without extra tricks (injecting drivers into install media, using command‑prompt bypass scripts).
  • Some argue this change mainly hurts small users and labs; large customers already use volume tools and servers for activation.

Shift Toward Linux and Other Alternatives

  • Numerous anecdotes of people moving themselves, parents, and even elderly relatives to Linux successfully; basic web, office, and media needs are met with few issues.
  • A theme is that Microsoft’s behavior (ads, Edge lock‑in, hardware requirements for Win11, licensing gotchas) is actively pushing “normal” users away.
  • Others caution that evangelizing Linux can turn you into unpaid tech support; choice of distro and support model matters.

Gaming, Proton, and Remaining Lock‑ins

  • Strong debate over whether Proton/WINE‑based gaming “counts” as Linux gaming; one camp says “works = good enough,” purists insist it’s still Windows software.
  • Consensus that Proton already covers many titles, with kernel‑level anti‑cheat and some pro creative tools (Adobe, high‑end photo workflows) remaining major blockers.
  • Some argue multiplayer and microtransaction games will stay tightly tied to Windows due to anti‑cheat and control.

Enterprise, Air‑Gapped, and Licensing Workarounds

  • For air‑gapped or isolated environments, commenters point to KMS, Active Directory‑based activation, VAMT proxy activation, LTSC and IoT editions, and internal imaging as realistic enterprise paths.
  • Phone activation now redirects to a web portal that requires logging in with a Microsoft account but claims not to bind licenses to that account.
  • Home and small‑business users discuss continuing without activation (with cosmetic restrictions), using older Windows 10, or turning to unofficial activation tools and LTSC images, with some legal and ethical disagreement.

Microsoft Strategy, Culture, and Product Quality

  • Strong criticism of Nadella’s AI fixation and perceived neglect of Windows, gaming, and QA (including the earlier dismantling of the Windows QA team).
  • Others argue this is consistent with long‑standing Microsoft culture: prioritize lock‑in, enterprise buyers, and short‑term metrics over end‑user experience.
  • Windows 7 is repeatedly cited as the last “good” Windows; 10 is tolerated, 11 is described as enshittified and ad‑ridden, albeit modifiable with third‑party tools and server SKUs.

macOS and Other Desktop OS Comparisons

  • Some see macOS as the best compromise (Unixy, polished, strong security); others fear increasing lockdown (Gatekeeper, notarization, hardware‑enforced security) and see Tahoe’s new UI as a step backward.
  • General sentiment: between Windows 11’s direction and macOS’s gradual tightening, Linux desktop is gaining real traction, especially for users willing to trade some polish for control.