Microsoft’s OS is probably one of the most expensive software solutions available today. Even though it is the most used operating system in the world, many users still use the trial version or find alternatives to dismiss the Windows activation process.

If you don’t mind the “Activate Windows” watermark on your PC the entire time, there is a high chance that you still use the free trial on your Windows computer. But can it make your PC run slower?

This article will answer this and many other questions regarding the Microsoft Windows free version and the consequences of not activating Windows on your computer. Make sure to take a look at all items to understand which impacts this decision will have on your Windows system and if you should activate Windows or not.

Yes, all the following aspects of whether to activate Windows are valid for all most recent versions of the OS. Whether you’re running Windows 11 or 10, the impacts of using the trial version or a non-genuine copy of the OS are the same.

Notice that genuine copies are not only those bought at the official Microsoft website. You can purchase a valid product key at other marketplaces, and it will also receive the same Microsoft support if recognized as a legitimate Windows license.

The right answer to this question is yes and no. Even though Microsoft won’t directly slow down your computer if you don’t activate Windows, several aspects will indirectly make it perform worse than it should.

Certain tools and features from the Windows settings are vital for your PC to run perfectly. Some are only available in the activated Windows version, making it faster.

Now, we will list some of the main aspects that are exclusive to the activated version of the OS, and that can impact your computer by not having them. They are premium features that can be unlocked when you purchase a digital license key and activate Windows 10 or 11 through the settings menu.

Here are the main disadvantages of the limited version of these operating systems:

Blocked Windows Updates

The main pain point if you don’t activate Windows 10 or 11 is the updating feature. It is also the leading cause of why people think that having a non-genuine copy of the software makes the computer slower.

While using the test version, you can install all security updates and other minor patches, but once the trial period expires, the updating feature also gets restricted.

Without an activation key, the user can not download crucial security updates or any other new version of the software, which directly affects the performance of your computer. Once you can’t download them, you cannot apply bug fixes and other corrections from the newer version.

These critical updates regard several features and aspects of the OS. Not applying them can grant severe risks when accessing unknown websites or downloading applications with cyber threats.

Lack of Customization Features

Another central aspect of the unactivated version is its limited customization. When trying to run Windows without an activation key, you won’t be able to do specific tasks, such as changing the desktop background and lock screen image. Along with that, some other limited personalization settings include the dark theme.

Remember that these customization settings have no impact on the performance of your computer and only regard aesthetics and won’t make your device faster. Once you activate Windows, you instantly get access to functions like the dark mode and are no longer restricted to the limited features.

Unnecessary Programs

If you’re noticing a Windows slow performance, it might mean that your PC is running multiple apps simultaneously. Microsoft includes numerous programs and applications on every version of their OS, and some can be heavy for less powerful computers.

The problem is that some of these Windows 10 and 11 applications can not be uninstalled without a genuine version of the software. If you run the operating system’s boot process and notice it takes a long time to restart, it means that several programs and tasks are running in the background.

Persistent Notifications

One of the most annoying parts of the unactivated versions of Windows is the persistent notifications the user receives. These notifications ask the user to activate the complete version of Windows through a genuine copy, and they can appear at any time, making it very inconvenient.

They can appear at any time, whether when you’re watching a video or performing an important task. This persists until you activate your Windows and can be a nightmare, especially for gamers.

Activation Watermark

Another feature Windows implemented to convince users to install a genuine version of Windows on their machines is the persistent message at the bottom right of the screen.

It is a watermark displaying a message asking you to register an activated copy of Windows that can not be disabled.

This watermark will appear regardless of the application opened or the task performed. There are many other features to convince the users to make the activation process, but this is definitely one of the most annoying ones.

This message will appear while gaming or even watching a video in full-screen mode. It can not be removed through the start menu or any other tab on Windows unless you complete the activation process.

There are numerous reasons why you should always use the activated versions of Windows 10 and 11, including the ones listed above. But the most crucial aspects regard your security while using the computer.

Installing the optional updates from Windows is very important for increasing your PC security and preventing malware or phishing invasions. Moreover, some Windows updates also fix bugs that can directly affect your computer’s performance or correct system vulnerabilities.

Even though having the unactivated Windows 10 or 11 won’t directly make your PC slower, its consequences can impact the performance. Make sure to activate it whenever asked to prevent security problems or any limitations of the trial version.

Definitely not. Running a pirated version of Windows 10 or 11 can bring numerous risks to your computer, some of which might be irreversible. 

When downloading an unofficial version of the software, you’re also providing access to hackers and scammers who can steal all kinds of data. Since it is a pirated version of the operational system, Windows Defender won’t show it as a threat to you.

The problems are even bigger when using it for your work computer. Then hackers can easily steal sensitive documents and information that directly impacts the company.

On top of that, pirated Windows is also slower than the genuine, so between this and the trial version, it is preferable to stick with the “activate Windows” watermark. If you plan to complete the Windows activation process, make sure to use a genuine copy.

When looking for a place to acquire a Windows key, many options are available, from Microsoft’s official website, where the price is the highest, to secondary marketplaces. Among all the options available, the best one is RoyalCDKeys.

We have the best price on the market and offer you 24-hour support to ensure everything goes perfectly during the activation. In case of any problems or doubts during the activation, you can contact us, and we’ll do everything to help you activate your Windows.

We offer genuine keys, so you don’t need to worry about any restrictions, whether in personalization settings or other features. Here, you’ll find multiple versions of Windows 10 and 11 to ensure you get the perfect one for your use.

• Get Windows 10 Pro activation key on RoyalCDKeys

• Get Windows 11 Pro activation key on RoyalCDKeys

No doubt, having an unactivated Windows can make your PC slower and increase the risk of downloading a virus or suffering from a hacking attack. The complete version of the operating system offers numerous tools and features to help with bug correction and security increases to ensure your Windows experience is the best possible.

Not only that, but the activated Windows also allows you to make all the visual customization you want on your computer. From the theme color to the background used, all of these aspects are exclusive to the active Windows version and can not be used once the trial ends.

Now it’s time to get your activation key and unlock all the features from Windows. Remember to purchase genuine keys to ensure your PC runs smoothly and as fast as possible. Choosing pirated keys can lead to numerous problems and leave your computer vulnerable to hackers.

You can purchase quality products in several places, from the Microsoft website to secondary markets. RoyalCDKeys offers the best price for you and has 24-hour support to solve any problem or doubt you might have.