this post was submitted on 01 Jun 2024
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I'm considering switching to linux but I'm not a computer savvy person, so I wanted to have the option to switch back to windows if unforeseen complications (I only have 1 pc). Is it just a download on usb and install? And what ways can I get the product key or "cleaner" debloated versions.

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[–] JackGreenEarth@lemm.ee 10 points 5 months ago (2 children)

Just because no one else is mentioning it, there's a free tool in github to activate any copy of Windows, that could be on a new machine, a VM, Windows To Go, etc. You don't need a product key.

[–] Gormadt@lemmy.blahaj.zone 9 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Link for those that want to check it out for research purposes.

Edit: It works with Office too

[–] bobs_monkey@lemm.ee 4 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Or, punch this into powershell:

irm https://get.activated.win | iex

https://massgrave.dev

[–] Gormadt@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

The devs mention that as the recommended method on their GitHub (which I also recommend as it's way easier)

Activating Windows is so easy nowadays

[–] bobs_monkey@lemm.ee 2 points 5 months ago

Iirc, Microsoft themselves were advocating the method I mentioned when users were having issues (I can't recall where I read that though)

[–] Lucidlethargy@sh.itjust.works 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

It's worth noting that this is almost certainly illegal, for those who care. Windows is $5-$10 if you buy keys, which are 100% legal. Just throwing that out there.

Linux wins here with that price tag being *free.

[–] JackGreenEarth@lemm.ee 1 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago) (1 children)

Microsoft owns github, if they weren't fine with it they would have taken the tool down

[–] chepycou@rcsocial.net 1 points 5 months ago

@JackGreenEarth @Lucidlethargy True but would it change anything ? The owner of the project would just open another or go to #gitlab (or a #selfhosted instance of #gitea / gitlab)