By Hans-Christian Dirscherl
Publication Date: 2026-01-05 14:51:00
Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- PCWorld reports that Microsoft has quietly discontinued telephone activation for Windows 10 and 11, eliminating the last method to activate Windows without an internet connection.
- Users calling the activation hotline now hear messages redirecting them to online portals, despite official support pages still listing phone activation as available.
- This unannounced change forces all Windows users to have internet access for product activation, potentially affecting those with limited connectivity.
According to Neowin, Microsoft has killed the final method for activating Windows without an internet connection—that is, activation by telephone. It appears to have been discontinued a few days ago.
Microsoft hasn’t officially announced the end of telephone activation, and the corresponding menu item in Windows is still available. But users have reported that the corresponding function no longer works, and that only a short voice…