Believe it or not, you can actually activate Windows, any version, completely for free and without using a key!
I know, sounds kind of crazy right? Well, it’s true.
And the funny thing? Microsoft know about this and for years has never done anything to stop it, and the tool I’m talking about? It’s on a site that Microsoft owns!
Crazy!
So, what am I talking about? I’m talking about the Microsoft Activation Scripts (MAS). This is a free, Open-source Windows and Office activator for activating various products, changing licenses and advanced troubleshooting.
And no, I’m not kidding! This is real and 100% works. It just seems like Microsoft doesn’t care about it.
First, a little history on the tool.
The tool was first developed round 2020-2021 and grew rapidly in it’s popularity and on public mirrors around the world. It was originally released and is maintained on Github, an open source development and sharing platform open to anyone on the Internet. The most interesting note of this is that Microsoft bought GitHub in 2018, so the product for activating Windows and Office is actively developed and exists on Microsoft’s own site.
Now there has been plenty of discussion about the tool, the legality, ethical implications, and more, but regardless of how you feel on the subject, Microsoft knows about it, and doesn’t appear to be bothered by it.
Interestingly this doesn’t seem to bother Microsoft as much since the release of Windows 10 in 2015. Why you might ask? Well, it’s because Microsoft made the decision with Windows 10 (and subsequent versions) that the operating system would be free, which is why you can upgrade from 10 to 11 without paying a dime. They made this decision because they shifted the income focus from the initial cost of the license, that they would get only once, to collecting the data and telemetry of users on Windows 10 and monetized that. That gave them a much greater return as well as being able to continually collect on it over time. It also had the added bonus of all those copies of Windows that were pirated now could also have their data and telemetry collected on them, further benefiting from monetization. So it became a win/win for Microsoft and users alike.
As of today, the tool still exists and is still freely available. Think I’m joking? You can check out their site at