Installing Windows 10

[Subtitles]

I have an application that worked in Windows 10 but does not work in Windows 11.
I want to install it on my PC and allocate part of my c drive for installing Windows 10 for testing.
Do I need to buy a Windows license just to make it run enough time to test, or it will not install completely unless I activate the license?
I don't mind the nagging if this is the only problem I will have,

[october262]

I have an application that worked in Windows 10 but does not work in Windows 11.
I want to install it on my PC and allocate part of my c drive for installing Windows 10 for testing.
Do I need to buy a Windows license just to make it run enough time to test, or it will not install completely unless I activate the license?
I don't mind the nagging if this is the only problem I will have,

you can run windows 10 without a license -


Windows 10 Without Activation
Using Windows 10 without activating it is not illegal if you obtained the software from a legitimate source, such as downloading it directly from Microsoft.
However, according to the End User License Agreement (EULA), using Windows 10 without activation violates the terms of service.

While you can run Windows 10 indefinitely without activation, you will face some restrictions. For example, you won't be able to personalize your PC, including changing the desktop background, window title bar, taskbar, and Start color, or customizing the Start menu and lock screen.
Additionally, you might periodically receive messages asking you to activate your copy of Windows 10, which can be annoying.

Despite these limitations, many users, especially those using virtual machines, continue to use unactivated Windows 10 for extended periods.
If you decide to activate Windows 10 later, you can purchase a license from the Windows Store, ranging from $120 for the Home Edition to $200 for the Professional Edition.

It's important to note that while you can legally use Windows 10 without activation, it is against Microsoft's terms of service, and they may release system updates that could disable unactivated copies of Windows 10 in the future.

[Subtitles]

@october262 Thanks for the detailed comments.
I had a license before on the Windows 10 PC but I lost it when I installed the Windows 11 O/S.
This will be for just testing if the application (perpetual) doesn't work on Windows 11 and the solution would be buy the latest application which is unfortunately on a yearly subscription which is quite expensive.
In the end, the customer always loses.

[october262]

@october262 Thanks for the detailed comments.
I had a license before on the Windows 10 PC but I lost it when I installed the Windows 11 O/S.
This will be for just testing if the application (perpetual) doesn't work on Windows 11 and the solution would be buy the latest application which is unfortunately on a yearly subscription which is quite expensive.
In the end, the customer always loses.

you can use a program called massgrave to activate windows. - https://github.com/massgravel/Microsoft-Activation-Scripts

[gll99]

I bought an acemagic ad15 I5-12450H mini box with win11 home pre-loaded and digitally licensed after install. It comes with 1 NVME (win11 boot) and 1 empty ssd slot. I downloaded the latest win10 iso from MS I can't recall if I used Rufus or MS's own tool to generate a bootable install usb and then took out the NVME inserted a 256gb ssd and installed win10 home on it. I says it's digitally activated. I put the HVME back in and depending on boot order at startup they both work. I don't need or want win10 long term on this mini box but I like to test stuff sometimes just for the halibut. Whether that works for anyone else I can't say.

Edit: Maybe it's an OEM vs retail license situation.

[Brainiac]

I have an application that worked in Windows 10 but does not work in Windows 11.
I want to install it on my PC and allocate part of my c drive for installing Windows 10 for testing.
Do I need to buy a Windows license just to make it run enough time to test, or it will not install completely unless I activate the license?
I don't mind the nagging if this is the only problem I will have,

you can run windows 10 without a license -


Windows 10 Without Activation
Using Windows 10 without activating it is not illegal if you obtained the software from a legitimate source, such as downloading it directly from Microsoft.
However, according to the End User License Agreement (EULA), using Windows 10 without activation violates the terms of service.

While you can run Windows 10 indefinitely without activation, you will face some restrictions. For example, you won't be able to personalize your PC, including changing the desktop background, window title bar, taskbar, and Start color, or customizing the Start menu and lock screen.
Additionally, you might periodically receive messages asking you to activate your copy of Windows 10, which can be annoying.

Despite these limitations, many users, especially those using virtual machines, continue to use unactivated Windows 10 for extended periods.
If you decide to activate Windows 10 later, you can purchase a license from the Windows Store, ranging from $120 for the Home Edition to $200 for the Professional Edition.

It's important to note that while you can legally use Windows 10 without activation, it is against Microsoft's terms of service, and they may release system updates that could disable unactivated copies of Windows 10 in the future.

I have a friend who needed to update from Windows 7 to Windows 10 (11 is not an option). Do you have a link to the Windows Store? Microsoft doesn't seem to be selling any more Windows 10 licenses; there seems to be plenty of shady sites who are more than willing to take your money for a Windows 10 serial.

[Subtitles]

You can try finding Windows 10 product key on Amazon. I suppose they are not considered as a shady site.
I found one for $58 they send you a USB to your home address so maybe they add shipment cost.

[Subtitles]

Thanks to everyone for your valuable comments.
I tested the App on a laptop running Windows 10 and it worked so I am not going to test it on the new PC running Windows 11 after all.
I am inclined now to pay for a yearly subscription. I asked for a special discount and I got one. Now it s just a question of making sure there are no hidden limitations which you discover only after paying and in depth testing.

[Hunk91]

Link to the official windows 10 Iso image download page : https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10iso