this post was submitted on 15 Oct 2023
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My mom bought a used laptop absolutely riddled with spyware, linux isn't an option

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[–] superweeniehutjrs@lemmy.world 85 points 1 year ago (1 children)

ISO download from Microsoft directly. Use Rufus to make an installer USB. Click the "I do not have a license key" option. Who cares about the watermark.

[–] greyjedi@lemmy.world 80 points 1 year ago (4 children)

You can permanently activate it with the scripts from massgravel: https://github.com/massgravel/Microsoft-Activation-Scripts

[–] wolfshadowheart@kbin.social 12 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Didn't microsoft recently push something to prevent these from working?

[–] smolyeet@lemmy.world 27 points 1 year ago

They recently broke hwid, but was recently fixed as of 2.2. The other method worked fine still

[–] skankhunt42@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Personally, I'd never use one of these scripts.

Most PCs have a windows key burned in to the BIOS.

https://www.howtogeek.com/660517/how-to-find-your-windows-10-product-key-using-the-command-prompt/

I'd start there and see if it can be used for 11 or upgraded through the versions. Then I'd take a "clean" backup and use that to re-install in the future, instead of a new ISO.

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[–] mp3@lemmy.ca 68 points 1 year ago

If the laptop came preinstalled with Windows you can likely reinstall the same version (Home or Pro) by using the utility from Microsoft to build a bootable USB drive, and it will auto-activate.

No need to pirate anything, you already have a license.

[–] superb@lemmy.blahaj.zone 56 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Do not pirate windows, just download straight from Microsoft. You don’t need to register

[–] java@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Now you have to activate it in order to change some settings.

[–] Gormadt@lemmy.blahaj.zone 11 points 1 year ago

Which is really easy with MAS

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[–] briongloid@aussie.zone 56 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Install official version from Microsoft website.

Open PowerShell;

irm https://massgrave.dev/get | iex

This authenticates Win and/or upgrades version Home/Pro

[–] taanegl@beehaw.org 3 points 1 year ago

Thanks! Will bookmark this :)

[–] iliketrains@kbin.social 36 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Safest image download would be from Microsoft website. You need activation? Look up Microsoft Activation Script (MAS) on Github. Read the readme on how to use it.

[–] Gormadt@lemmy.blahaj.zone 21 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)
[–] empireOfLove@lemmy.one 35 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

Just reinstall it via Microsoft official iso maker. Anything newer than Windows 8 will attach license keys to the hardware (motherboard) and it usually picks the activation right back up.

If not use the msguides.com kms method.

[–] Telstarado@lemmy.world 12 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

This is the way. Win is already activated, no need to pirate anything. Just get a >= 8gb flash drive, download the installer creator app from Microsoft, and reinstall Windows. It will activate based on the licensing level the machine came with, minus the crapware, which is from the manufacturer's OS image, not Microsoft's.

[–] cm0002@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago

This OP, also make sure to choose custom install and delete ALL the partitions. Not only does the manufacturer image reside there with it's crapware, it could have been tampered with to reinstall all that malware lol

[–] loudWaterEnjoyer@lemmy.dbzer0.com 30 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] el_bhm@lemm.ee 25 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Windows Debian edition is in reality the most stable and privacy focused Windows yet.

[–] Gormadt@lemmy.blahaj.zone 20 points 1 year ago

NGL I'm so tired right now I thought you were serious about there being a "Windows Debian Edition"

I even googled it lol

I do agree though that if your mum only uses the PC for like day to day browsing she'll never notice a difference if you put a Windows style skin on your preferred Linux distro. Hell she might notice it being faster all around to be honest.

[–] whaleross@lemmy.world 30 points 1 year ago

Considering it's a laptop with a working Windows, it probably already has a licence for the hardware. Just download from Microsoft, wipe disk and install it and see if it works.

[–] cupcakezealot@lemmy.blahaj.zone 16 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Aren't Windows keys bound to motherboards these days? Unless you replace the motherboard, just download it again and start fresh.

[–] Pretzilla@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

No need to download anything, no iso creation, no thumb drives.

Just reset the current installation and select the option to wipe everything and start over. Google it or just poke through the settings menu.

[–] Maximilious@kbin.social 20 points 1 year ago

Except if the malware has already infected the recovery partition or completely removed it. Personally I'd take no chances and just nuke the HDD and perform a fresh install.

[–] hexaflexagonbear@hexbear.net 12 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Find out what version of windows that laptop ships with, and install that. Windows licenses have been tied to mobos for a while, there's a good chance it'll just activate. If you need an installer, you can download ISOs and tools to make a bootable USB from Microsoft's site.

[–] guyrocket@kbin.social 11 points 1 year ago

If it already has windows on it, then it has a key. Just install windows. You can get it from their website

[–] db2@sopuli.xyz 9 points 1 year ago (1 children)
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[–] FuckyWucky@hexbear.net 8 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)
[–] nyctre@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Like others have said, just use official windows and don't activate, only downside is the watermark afaik.

Alternatively, you can buy licences for like 1-2 $ off eBay and other similar sites. Just make sure the licence and the version you install matches otherwise it won't activate

[–] jack55555@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Why, the laptop came with Windows so it has a license. Why not use it?

[–] nyctre@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago

It it already had a license even better, yeah, no need to buy a new one. Figured that wasn't the case since they asked how to pirate it.

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[–] Kyiro@lemm.ee 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)
[–] trewq@lemmy.world 3 points 1 year ago

mass grave dev might be able to help you

[–] Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 year ago

Scratch/Reuse of a Win7 key at work and have a genuine copy.
No money went to microsoft either way and you don't need external tools.

[–] Rentlar@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 year ago

Installing Windows won't fix the spyware problem fully 😉

Mass gravel may provide you what you seek.

[–] MomoTimeToDie@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago

Use the official Microsoft tool that makes installation media. From there, you can leave it unactivated, purchase a key, or use MAS or whatever it's called to activate for free

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