Able Baker Charlie
New Member
Had something weird happen just after a Windows 10 installation, and I'm wondering if it has happed to anyone else. Windows activated as soon as I entered my Product Key, but I was NOT connected to the internet. Here's how it happened:
1.) Downloaded a fresh 21H2 ISO directly from Microsoft.
2.) Used (a paid-for, registered copy of) NtLite to ONLY do the following: Trim all editions exept Pro, Download and integrate the latest updates specific to version 21H2, add the local Administrator account, disable the initializatoin of automatic updates, downloads, activation, etc. on first start-up, and very little else. I added nor removed no other components, drivers, or installers. (I did NOT enter the Product Key to be integrated by NtLite into the install files!)
3.) Used Rufus to create a bootable USB drive from which to install Windows.
4.) Removed the original M.2 SSD from the computer, added a brand new, never used M.2 SSD to the computer and installed the NtLite'd Windows 10.
5.) Started up the computer with the fresh install and added the Product Key via the "Change the key" link on the "About" screen within Window's "Settings."
6.) Then I went to the "Activation Settings" screen in order to activate Windows (after which I has planned on using NtLite to thoroughly gut the live install of Windows, removing such nuisances as Microsoft Store, Updates, Security Center, Metro Apps, Edge, etc, etc.) [Normally, I'd simply run "slui.exe 4" in order to activate by phone. Its how I'd activated Windows every single time before this. But last time, the automated system rejected my attempt and patched me over to a Customer Service rep with whom I got into an argument about my version of Windows. He kept telling me that my Windows product key had been used before and that I had to buy Windows again. I told him he was mistaken, because my version of Windows was a full retail version that could be migrated to a new system, but that it didn't matter anyway, since I was reinstalling it on the same and only system it had ever been installed on. Finally, after he started screaming at me, I just hung up the phone on the guy, and called right back. This time the automated sytem activated without any issues. But, this most recent time, I thought I'd try activation by internet, just to avoid the potential hassle.]
So, after clicking on the Activatin Settings tab, to my complete surprise, it stated "Windows is activated with a digital license." Mind you, I used NtLite to disable Windows from automatically starting the activation routine. Further, the computer had not been and was not connected to the internet during any of this process. No ethernet cable to my router. No connection via Wifi, at least none where I'd signed in to any connections; plus I didn't even have the wifi antenna connected to the motherboard. There's no public hotspots around me, only neighbors routers and they're all secured! Yet, there it was. Windows was mysteriously activated!
Since then, I've used the computer as normal, accessing the internet, and the system has remained "activated," and its never prompted me to activate Windows. So, what gives? How did this system activate? Do you think Microsoft has added a "white-list" of known, good Product keys in its installers that automatically activate when entered? How else could this have happened? Anybody have a clue?
Thanks!
1.) Downloaded a fresh 21H2 ISO directly from Microsoft.
2.) Used (a paid-for, registered copy of) NtLite to ONLY do the following: Trim all editions exept Pro, Download and integrate the latest updates specific to version 21H2, add the local Administrator account, disable the initializatoin of automatic updates, downloads, activation, etc. on first start-up, and very little else. I added nor removed no other components, drivers, or installers. (I did NOT enter the Product Key to be integrated by NtLite into the install files!)
3.) Used Rufus to create a bootable USB drive from which to install Windows.
4.) Removed the original M.2 SSD from the computer, added a brand new, never used M.2 SSD to the computer and installed the NtLite'd Windows 10.
5.) Started up the computer with the fresh install and added the Product Key via the "Change the key" link on the "About" screen within Window's "Settings."
6.) Then I went to the "Activation Settings" screen in order to activate Windows (after which I has planned on using NtLite to thoroughly gut the live install of Windows, removing such nuisances as Microsoft Store, Updates, Security Center, Metro Apps, Edge, etc, etc.) [Normally, I'd simply run "slui.exe 4" in order to activate by phone. Its how I'd activated Windows every single time before this. But last time, the automated system rejected my attempt and patched me over to a Customer Service rep with whom I got into an argument about my version of Windows. He kept telling me that my Windows product key had been used before and that I had to buy Windows again. I told him he was mistaken, because my version of Windows was a full retail version that could be migrated to a new system, but that it didn't matter anyway, since I was reinstalling it on the same and only system it had ever been installed on. Finally, after he started screaming at me, I just hung up the phone on the guy, and called right back. This time the automated sytem activated without any issues. But, this most recent time, I thought I'd try activation by internet, just to avoid the potential hassle.]
So, after clicking on the Activatin Settings tab, to my complete surprise, it stated "Windows is activated with a digital license." Mind you, I used NtLite to disable Windows from automatically starting the activation routine. Further, the computer had not been and was not connected to the internet during any of this process. No ethernet cable to my router. No connection via Wifi, at least none where I'd signed in to any connections; plus I didn't even have the wifi antenna connected to the motherboard. There's no public hotspots around me, only neighbors routers and they're all secured! Yet, there it was. Windows was mysteriously activated!
Since then, I've used the computer as normal, accessing the internet, and the system has remained "activated," and its never prompted me to activate Windows. So, what gives? How did this system activate? Do you think Microsoft has added a "white-list" of known, good Product keys in its installers that automatically activate when entered? How else could this have happened? Anybody have a clue?
Thanks!
