My mom bought a used laptop absolutely riddled with spyware, linux isn't an option
ISO download from Microsoft directly. Use Rufus to make an installer USB. Click the "I do not have a license key" option. Who cares about the watermark.
You can permanently activate it with the scripts from massgravel: https://github.com/massgravel/Microsoft-Activation-Scripts
Didn't microsoft recently push something to prevent these from working?
They recently broke hwid, but was recently fixed as of 2.2. The other method worked fine still
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HWID is permanent, even after Microsoft fixed the method that massgravel was using. It only affected new installs because people couldn't run the script to activate Windows permanently.
It's fixed and activating permanently now though.
Hm, I could have sworn I had read an article around here (roughly the last two months maybe, likely more recently) saying that the MAS had been patched by Microsoft, but now I can't find anything about it at all. Odd.
Well, good that it's still functioning!
They thought it was patched for good but after a few days found a workaround
As always. 😅
They patched new HWID requests being sent, but any existing licenses made with those methods are fine. That was only one of several ways to spoof yourself legitimate, though. The rest still work.
Personally, I'd never use one of these scripts.
Most PCs have a windows key burned in to the BIOS.
https://www.howtogeek.com/660517/how-to-find-your-windows-10-product-key-using-the-command-prompt/
I'd start there and see if it can be used for 11 or upgraded through the versions. Then I'd take a "clean" backup and use that to re-install in the future, instead of a new ISO.
Don't ever run random scripts from the Internet unless you understand every line.
but do run scripts that have been verified by reputable sources
If the laptop came preinstalled with Windows you can likely reinstall the same version (Home or Pro) by using the utility from Microsoft to build a bootable USB drive, and it will auto-activate.
No need to pirate anything, you already have a license.
Do not pirate windows, just download straight from Microsoft. You don’t need to register
Now you have to activate it in order to change some settings.
Which is really easy with MAS
Well, it is technically "piracy" but it's amateur piracy. No need to get fancy with torrents and VPNs or whatnot. Just download the software and… not pay.
The problem with pirating Windows is that you don't know if it has been tempered.
Well given op said download it from microsoft then yes it will be riddled with spyware but that's the genuine windows experience® for you…
The downvoted guy you replied to is right. You can download the (genuine) iso off microsoft and install it without paying M$ anything, it will work fine other than not being able to change wallpaper etc.
If that small restriction annoys you the MAS (linked elsewhere in thread) is the answer
Exactly my point!
Install official version from Microsoft website.
Open PowerShell;
irm https://massgrave.dev/get | iex
This authenticates Win and/or upgrades version Home/Pro
Thanks! Will bookmark this :)
Safest image download would be from Microsoft website. You need activation? Look up Microsoft Activation Script (MAS) on Github. Read the readme on how to use it.
Here's a link for MAS for those who need it
It's a cake walk to use
Direct link to windows or office
Just reinstall it via Microsoft official iso maker. Anything newer than Windows 8 will attach license keys to the hardware (motherboard) and it usually picks the activation right back up.
If not use the msguides.com kms method.
This is the way. Win is already activated, no need to pirate anything. Just get a >= 8gb flash drive, download the installer creator app from Microsoft, and reinstall Windows. It will activate based on the licensing level the machine came with, minus the crapware, which is from the manufacturer's OS image, not Microsoft's.
This OP, also make sure to choose custom install and delete ALL the partitions. Not only does the manufacturer image reside there with it's crapware, it could have been tampered with to reinstall all that malware lol
Considering it's a laptop with a working Windows, it probably already has a licence for the hardware. Just download from Microsoft, wipe disk and install it and see if it works.
I download it from Debian.org
Windows Debian edition is in reality the most stable and privacy focused Windows yet.
NGL I'm so tired right now I thought you were serious about there being a "Windows Debian Edition"
I even googled it lol
I do agree though that if your mum only uses the PC for like day to day browsing she'll never notice a difference if you put a Windows style skin on your preferred Linux distro. Hell she might notice it being faster all around to be honest.
Aren't Windows keys bound to motherboards these days? Unless you replace the motherboard, just download it again and start fresh.
No need to download anything, no iso creation, no thumb drives.
Just reset the current installation and select the option to wipe everything and start over. Google it or just poke through the settings menu.
Except if the malware has already infected the recovery partition or completely removed it. Personally I'd take no chances and just nuke the HDD and perform a fresh install.
Find out what version of windows that laptop ships with, and install that. Windows licenses have been tied to mobos for a while, there's a good chance it'll just activate. If you need an installer, you can download ISOs and tools to make a bootable USB from Microsoft's site.
Just… install it.
Not QUITE as useless as "just install Linux" but damn you got close.
If it already has windows on it, then it has a key. Just install windows. You can get it from their website
https://winaero.com/download-windows-10-enterprise-iso-with-media-creation-tool/
same works for windows 11
activation: https://github.com/massgravel/Microsoft-Activation-Scripts/releases
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Even dumber than that, when their activation method fail, the support uses massgrev to install windows on costumer pc
How do you think they became the defacto OS for consumer PCs?
By being smart enough to get their OS packaged with new retail PCs in the 90's while the market for them was just warming up. They kept their stranglehold going by not caring too hard about piracy. Just enough to keep from losing any trademark considerations.
