Windows 10: Here’s what happens after the July 29th free Windows 10 offer ends

Had W8.1 stored on a separate SSD which had not been updated for many months.....after two years using W10 have found it very confusing trying to find my way around W8.1 (didn't know if I was going to the toilet or having a haircut) to coin an expression.
At the time I though W8.1 was a better O/S than W7, but to compare W8.1 with W10 is in my opinion a no go as W10 is vastly superior.
Have since formatted W8.1 SSD.

 

I wasn't all that fond of Windows 8.0. I liked the changes they made in 8.1 though. 10 is even better, IMHO.

 

I'm using Windows 10 now but without any key! It's a new PC I put together and them installed Windows 10 using their ISO without any key and the OS is working 100% so my question is: after July 29th will they block me to use my PC or something or can I continue to use it?

 

I don't know how you installed it without any key but there's one month trial period before you have to activate. If it's activated you will not loose it as long as it's on same MB even if you have to do another clean install.

 

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation. What does it say for Activation and Product Key?

 

Going to translate here since mine is in portuguese:

Edition: Windows 10 Home

Activation: Not possible to connect to windows activation servers

There is no product key I did not used any!

Below there is something written like this: There was a failure in the activation cause there isn't any product key or a digital right with some code in it: 0x803F7001

Guess they are just letting me use it for free for now but after July 29th they will do something about it. I just hope I can still use Windows 10 without they blocking me or something till I can find a way to buy a key *Sad

 

Well, that means it's not activated but you are probably in trial period still. You could legally use Enterprise version for 3 month with little nags every now and than.
Did you by any chance have a retail W7 on your last computer ?

 

I only have a old Dell laptop with win7 factory installed but it can't even update for free and the new PC has nothing to do with it unless they are tracking me *Smile

So the only way for me is to find a decent store here in this hell of country to buy a original key for Windows 10 problem is it's going to be reaaally expensive *Sad

But after July 29th they will not do anything drastic with me right? Like delete my stuff or something like that *Smile I will be able to still use this PC here right?

 

No, they will not delete anything, just might nag you to death.

 

That's OK then *Smile

Thanks a lot for calming me down friend!

 

I had Enterprise installed on one disk and forgot about it 6 month or more and it has 3 month tryout period. After accidentally booting to it everything was there but it just informed that it's expired and running in minimal mode. No programs or data was removed. I had it logged in with my usual hotmail account.

 

It will go into reduced functionality as time goes on. Nag screens to activate, forced reboots etc. The longer you wait, the more frequent the nag screens etc.

 

Just seen this attempt to explain future licensing policy: Microsoft tweaks activation rules for the Windows 10 Anniversary Update | ZDNet

 

I'm very tempted to update my mobo and cpu after the 29th July just to check this out *Smile

 

From experience with 8.1, you will get to the logon screen. When you try to logon you will get a "You must activate" message. If you don't you go back to the logon screen and that's it. You will no longer be able to use your computer.

If you think about it, that is how it should work. Not activated means not legal.

Look into getting a Windows 10 install key from the internet perhaps?