Microsoft axes popular free Windows 11/10 KMS activation hack that worked without internet - Worthless shit OS no longer free. Microjeet users advised to jump ship

Microsoft axes popular free Windows 11/10 KMS activation hack that worked without internet​

(Note: Please excuse jeeted source. Thank you saar!!!)
Sayan Sen @ssc_combater007 · Nov 13, 2025 10:52 EST · Hot!

This week Microsoft made a couple of big Windows announcements. First, the company confirmed that Windows 11 is becoming an agentic OS leading to a massive backlash. The company also ended support for Windows 11 version 23H2 and added that all systems will soon be getting the latest 25H2 feature update with just one condition, that they must be supported.

The tech giant also made another fairly major change that was not documented by the company in its official release notes. That is because the company has removed a popular offline Windows 11 and 10 hack that was used to illegally activate systems. The method was dubbed KMS38 and was provided by MASSGRAVE.

If you are not familiar, MASSGRAVE (where MAS stands for Microsoft Activation Scripts) is a project that offers various unofficial Windows and Office activation services.

KMS38 was an offline activation method that worked by tricking the GatherOSstate EXE file so as to extend the KMS (Key Management Service) activation period up to January 19, 2038, 03:14:07 UTC, instead of the usual 180 days. If you are wondering, the Y2K38 super-bug prevented going further. GatherOSstate essentially helped determine if an OS in its current state is eligible for an upgrade.

The MASSGRAVE author has confirmed that this no longer works with the latest November 2025 Patch Tuesday update (KB5068861, KB5067112).

This was probably already on the cards as MASSGRAVE adds that in Windows build 26040 (released back in January 2024) gatherosstate.exe was removed from installation media. This meant in-place upgrades and feature updates reset the grace period to zero, requiring reconnection to a KMS server. And with last month's Windows 11 optional update (KB5067036), Microsoft has fully deprecated the GatherOSstate functionality, making KMS38 unusable.

Thus with the latest MAS script, version 3.8, KMS38 has now been dropped entirely. MASSGRAVE says that users should switch to HWID (Hardware ID) or TSforge activation methods, both of which still work.

Please note that while we are reporting on this news as it is significant, Neowin does not recommend or promote using such unofficial and pirated ways of activation.
(Article - Jeet source) (Archive)
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Microsoft takes out the trash: Why the permanent blocking of a popular Windows 11 activation hack is a major win for system integrity and security​

News
By Sean Endicott published 15 hours ago
Massgrave’s MAS might need a mass grave after Microsoft managed to block Massgrave’s masquerade.

One method of activating Windows 11 without a license has been blocked by Microsoft. (Image credit: Windows Central / Zac Bowden)

With Windows 10 reaching the end of mainstream support last month, many are taking a hard look at Windows 11. But those looking to activate the operating system without a license have one less option to do so. Microsoft has blocked a tool that allows people to activate Windows illegally.

The tool in question comes from a group called "Massgrave." The “MAS” in the name stands for Microsoft Activation Scripts. That group published a set of tools online that allow you to activate Windows and Office without a license. The PowerShell scripts are available on GitHub and let users run Windows or Office without paying any fees.

Ed Bott discussed the tools earlier this year for ZDNet and performed extensive testing. Back in February, he was able to use Massgrave's scripts to activate a PC and grant that system three years of Extended Security Updates.

Bott had similar success activating Office with the tools shared by Massgrave. It's difficult to determine how safe the tools are, even if they are effective. Even if the scripts shared by Massgrave are entirely safe, bad actors could distribute modified, malicious versions.

Earlier this year, we saw a malware-filled copy of a tool used to bypass Windows 11's minimum requirements. That's just one example of bad actors copying a tool and infusing it with malware.

If this all sounds too good to be true, that’s because it is — at least for those who care about legality. Massgrave is open about the fact that its tools are for piracy.

When functional and unblocked, the scripts could be used to save hundreds of dollars on a single system. While detection by Microsoft isn’t guaranteed — or even likely in many cases — there’s still a risk of being caught using the tools. Businesses in particular could run into issues if their IT teams used Massgrave to activate PCs and use unlicensed software.

The author of Massgrave confirmed that Microsoft has blocked the method of activation, as reported by Neowin. Known as KMS38, the method reportedly stopped working following the November 2025 Patch Tuesday updates.

Of course, when it comes to bypassing blocks, it's a game of cat and mouse. Massgrave could potentially find another workaround, and then Microsoft would have to respond in kind.

Plugging holes​

Microsoft recently blocked a method of activating Windows 11 without having a license. (Image credit: Ben Wilson | Windows Central)
Usually, I'm one to speak out against Microsoft blocking workarounds. I'm frustrated by the dwindling options to set up a Windows 11 PC without the internet or a Microsoft account. Microsoft blocked a popular bypass of those requirements earlier this year, much to my chagrin.

But the situation is different for MAS, which is used to activate Windows illegally. It's reasonable for Microsoft to take steps to stop MAS from being able to activate Windows without a license.

Some may not be so eager to use Windows 11 if it requires a full license. While people have joked about every year in recent history being "the year of Linux," we may actually see an exodus of Windows users to other platforms following the death of Windows 10.

Because of the minimum requirements of Windows 11, many PCs cannot be upgraded to the new operating system. Linux and Google's ChromeOS are more viable options than ever due to advancements on both platforms. Some have even gone so far as to make WINUX, a free Linux distro designed for Windows users.

FAQ

What exactly was the activation hack that Microsoft blocked?​

The blocked method was a popular loophole that allowed users to bypass Microsoft's license verification and security checks to activate an unauthorized copy of Windows 11, often used for piracy.

Why is blocking this hack considered a "good thing"?​

Blocking the hack is a good thing because it enhances the overall security and integrity of the Windows ecosystem. Pirated copies of Windows often lack crucial security updates or may be bundled with malware, posing a threat to users and the network they are connected to.

Will this block affect my legitimately purchased copy of Windows 11?​

No. If you have a legitimate, activated copy of Windows 11, this security update will have no negative effect. It is only designed to prevent unauthorized activation.

What happens to a PC that used this hack to activate Windows 11?​

Any PC that relied on this specific unauthorized method for activation will likely revert to an unactivated state, displaying the "Activate Windows" watermark and restricting personalization features. Users will need to purchase a legitimate license key.

(Article) (Archive)
_____________________________________________________________________________________
KF Windows OS Thread
Post by KMS38 author, MassGrave:

https://x.com/massgravel/status/1988399517319000416
https://archive.ph/Q3c7O

 

[Looney Troons]

Well, there goes my home lab environment.

 

[Osama Bin Laden]

i will still find a way to pirate windows, never paid for windows never will

 

[Dead Lion]

@Slav Power on suicide watch.

 

[I Pick Minions]

"Activate Windows" sign on the bottom right is a sign of a white man computer.

 

[User names must be unique]

With the exception of bundled licenses with laptops I have never once paid for windows. I imagine there are millions like me I honestly can't imagine it's a significant amount that will now fork over the cash for legitimate keys from MS.

The "activate windows" mode can be circumnavigated with a regedit or two and winareo. I wonder if they'll crack down on that too.

 

[Nalgatoro 2.0]

https://x.com/Yucelam/status/1988401532652712163

 

[i440BX]

I am sure there still ways to activate the Windows operating system.
But I will still remain on Windows 10.

Edit:meant cracking

 

[ghastlyretard]

I am sure there still ways to activate the Windows operating system.
But I will still remain on Windows 10.

Massgrave reports the other methods still work. You didn't read the article

 

[i440BX]

Massgrave reports the other methods still work. You didn't read the article

I read it after I posted it and you are right.
But when I wrote the message I meant cracking instead of activating.

 

[libRT]

Microsoft takes out the trash: Why the permanent blocking of a popular Windows 11 activation hack is a major win for system integrity and security

Major win for security and system integrity lololol. Lets pretend the Microsoft won't fix list doesn't exist, you fucking niggers

 

[Slav Power]

@Slav Power on suicide watch.

TSForge is still there for offline activation from 7 to 11, why would I?

You didn't read the article

Fun fact: no one ever reads any articles that are negative news about Windows. All that matters is that the headline sounds negative and nothing else matters. Hell, even if it's some positive or neutral Windows news it doesn't matter, people'll make up something to be mad about anyways.

MASSGRAVE says that users should switch to HWID (Hardware ID) or TSforge activation methods, both of which still work.

You just have to read this part to understand this is a nothingburger. Microsoft deprecated an old license transfer mechanism that was used for KMS38 activation. This will only affect newer Windows 11 builds as every Windows version preceding that still has the KMS38 mechanism in place, for which you can still download the old KMS38 activation script from Massgrave. For newer versions you still have TSForge, which activates the system permanently and offline, whereas KMS38 activates it until 2038. Also, it's not that Microsoft is cracking down on activators. They could kill off HWID activation right now if they wanted to since it's all on their servers, but they won't. Same with TSForge that exploits the activation system. Why? Because they gain more by having more people on Windows than they do cracking down on activators. I believe KMS38 was a thing becasue Microsoft came up with an upgrade activation method so that the Windows 7 to 10 migration would be easier, and it was more or less a leftover they no longer need since both 7 and 10 reached EOL.

But why read articles when you can be the same type of reactionary ape that you so deeply despise, right? Rules for me, not for thee.

 

[RiceofSkywalker]

This will only affect newer Windows 11 builds as every Windows version preceding that still has the KMS38 mechanism in place, for which you can still download the old KMS38 activation script from Massgrave.

Even some of the few places I've found discussing this mistakenly claim that this affects Windows 10 when it doesn't. But I still think it's noteworthy because W11 is already shitty enough without having to pay for it. The sooner people migrate away from this jeeted company and its bloated crap, the better.

 

[Slav Power]

But I still think it's noteworthy

I don't. Whenever people want to activate Windows, they go irm https://get.activated.win | iex and choose whatever comes up first.

For now it's HWID, but TSForge is still there. Basically nothing changes, you can still download Windows for free and activate it for free. If you think KMS38 being gone is somehow going to push people to move away from Windows then you're just being emotional and hysteric.

Again: stop being angry and emotional for a single second and think. HWID activation uses Microsoft's official activation servers. It worked for years. They keep track of every single illegal activation. Yet they do nothing about it. They don't try and fuck over people who activate Windows. They don't try to patch it out. Why would you think that this is intentional malice on Microsoft's side? Not only that, why do you think KMS38 no longer being viable moving forward is somehow going to be a major issue for people who want to activate Windows, when, again, you have online HWID activation that uses Microsoft's servers, and the offline TSForge activation that tricks Windows' activation system used since Windows 7 into believing it got activated?

No, just because you've read a negative headline about Windows doesn't mean "people will migrate away from this jeeted company and it's bloated crap". If you're not an emotional ape and think about it for two seconds then you realize it doesn't matter. You can still activate Windows and Microsoft doesn't care. And you'll still use Windows, no matter how much you'll lie to yourself that at some point you'll move away from it. Back when 10 released in 2015 people went through the same song and dance of how bad Windows has gotten and how they'll 100% switch this time around, and here we are 10 years later where people are holding onto 10 like their life depends on it.

I'm sick and tired of encountering emotional manchildren that will cry about Windows all the time but will never have the balls to actually change something about their life when they have so many options to choose from. Simple as. Rot and die.

 

[Agares]

Saar, you must redeem license key now.

 

[Capsaicin Addict]

I wonder if SteamOS can handle more than just games.

 

[RiceofSkywalker]

It worked for years.

And now it doesn't. Today, it's KMS38. Tomorrow, who knows. You take for granted the other activation methods despite proof that Microsoft can and will crack down on them at any time without prior notice.
Microsoft has law on their side, and as you know from Null's own struggles with keeping this place up, the laws governing copyright, online spaces and tech in general are outdated, profusely consumer-unfriendly and skewed heavily in favor of the rights holders, so much so that they are ripe for abuse at the whims of otherwise pathetic bad actors (think Greer, copyright trolls, your average Xitter troon, etc), let alone big companies like Microsoft, Nintendo or Sony.

They keep track of every single illegal activation. Yet they do nothing about it. They don't try and fuck over people who activate Windows. They don't try to patch it out

Yet. People should be aware and make informed decisions. If they make bad decisions, that's on them.

No, just because you've read a negative headline about Windows doesn't mean "people will migrate away from this jeeted company and it's bloated crap".

Windows, Microsoft and the tech industry in general have been undergoing shittification for decades at this point, much like everything else. It's not a single negative headline, it's part of the sharp negative trend of a company that holds the virtual monopoly on PC operating systems. I'm not under any illusion that this will be THE thing that pushes the masses over to another OS. But if it convinces 1, 5, 10, 100 of our more tech savvy users to jump ship, that's good. And maybe they'll also migrate some of their friends and family members who rely on them for tech support. At the very least, chipping away at Microjeet's base might lead to increase in demand for a good competitor like SteamOS.

And you'll still use Windows, no matter how much you'll lie to yourself that at some point you'll move away from it.

As Null likes to say, "people want today to be like yesterday, and tomorrow like today". They don't like change, they want familiarity. I am aware of that. But I'd rather play an active role in my own life than be a spectator. And if other people choose to do the same, good for them.

 

[Slav Power]

And now it doesn't.

Because it was an old component. At one point HWID also broke when Microsoft stopped 7 to 10 license migrations but it was a temporary hiccup no one noticed. TSForge is likely to not break any time soon since it's targeting the same activation mechanism used since 2009, so unless Microsoft wants to be really malicious it won't break.

Again, you're getting emotional over Microsoft changing something which breaks something that's not officially supported and acting like it's some sort of insidious master plan to fuck people over. It's not if you actually know how Windows activation works and how lazy Microsoft is. To completely kill any activation methods is to put in massive amounts of efforts to develop a completely new activation system. Something they're not willing to do since the juice is not worth the squeeze.

Yet.

And frankly, never will. Windows had telemetry since 10, and when people use Windows, even pirated, that's still profit to them. Not to mention that most Windows installs today are pre-installed, so it's not like Microsoft cares about people actually paying for Windows licenses. They only care about market saturation. Azure and Office are their bigger cash cows anyways.

it's part of the sharp negative trend of a company that holds the virtual monopoly on PC operating systems

It's part of the sharp trend of journalists shitting out article after article even when shit they're reporting shouldn't warrant one because people like you have a hard-on for hating Microsoft so you click every single article and video that shittalks Microsoft. You're as much of a product as all Windows users are, but you're too ignorant and emotional to realize that.

They don't like change, they want familiarity.

Again, you keep ignoring the fact that no matter how bad Windows gets, people won't move to alternatives unless they're willing to spend money on a device that they hook up and it just works. That's why the only push to Linux will be people buying Steam Machines, because they come preinstalled with Linux. And that's why the biggest exodus will be towards macOS, because Apple is a well established brand name with products that are more idiot proof than Windows and SteamOS combined.

Look, you want to look at this as some holy crusade against the evils of Microsoft and refuse to have a pragmatic outlook on it all, sure go ahead. I'm deep in this shit and I see it for what it is: another nothingburger that's going to be reported by every news site under the sun, because numbers don't lie: people love to click that shit and are too blind to understand they're being played like a fiddle.

 

[Jace on ice]

The thing that drives me absolutely nuts is how resource intensive Windows 11 is due to all the telemetry and AI shit.

Why is task manager using 800+ MB when it isn't even open?

 

[SpellforceFan]

HWID and tsforge still work, I shall continue paying $0 for kikerosoft's products.