JavaScriptShadow

Yes, I am voicing my grievances with Microsoft.

I downloaded Windows 10 Enterprise from MSDN through the subscription we pay for.

Ran setup to update Windows 8.1 which was downloaded and activated from MSDN also.

So, after the upgrade, I see it is saying that “Windows is not activated”. I click the link in at the bottom of the desktop, and I get the activation window with a nice “Activate” button. So, I click it.

I get a message saying activation failed, and to try again later. Leads me to believe there was an internet connection that was down. So I open IE and do a search. No problem there.

I go back and click “Activate” again. Same error. I go to work and come home. I try again. Same error. I start searching the web. There is talk of running this and that, but there is this nice “Change Activation Code” button. Seems reasonable.

I go to MSDN, and copy an activation key. I click the Change Code button hoping I can use the MSDN provided activation key. The window freezes up. I have to force it to shut down and try again Start > Settings > activation… Same problem: I get these cute ding noises they have which I assume means it is stuck, the window is frozen, so I search MSDN and they have a link in a Windows 10 activation MSDN article for contacting support if clicking the “Activate” key or “Change Activation Code” does not resolve the issue. So I click it.

I end up on a page with number of choices. I chose the online chat. They referred me to MSDN!! with a phone number!

An hour has passed by now and I’m frustrated!

I give a horrible rating to the feedback popup.

I do some more searching… Padget46 in an MSDN social posting:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/forum/insider_wintp-insider_install/cannot-activate-windows-10/571c51b1-f12e-44d7-a0b6-6fea0844ec14

says to try Slui 04… Sounds reasonable. It is a window that walks you through a phone activation! Eureka! success!!!

No so fast… I call and enter the 9 groups of numbers. The recorded voice says I have an invalid copy of windows and should return it!!!! WHAT??? I downloaded the .iso from MSDN!?!

I am steaming mad…

I do some more searching and thank you to:

SOLVED: Windows Can’t Be Activated Right Now 0x8007232b – Windows 8

This Canadian explained all the Slui’s and slui 03 allowed me enter the MSDN provided activation key!

Microsoft,

Your activation process is dismal. It was the singular most dismal experience ever. It makes me root for Apple, as with each and every OS upgrade, It was a click of a button, Agree to terms, wait, login.

When I have to spend 3 hours total to upgrade to Windows 10 when it was downloaded through my MSDN subscription, and the support comes from a Canadian, Not only do I feel mad, and frustrated but I wish Apple runs you out the market!!!

It is also the motivation for writing this blog post, and the very small thing I can do to get my voice heard. I hope this gets picked up and see’s the light of day, especially to Mr. Satya Nadella. I had conceded to my Microsoft fans at work that from what I read about mr. Nadella’s direction for Microsoft, I am hopeful that they will come around and provide a better experience. When my brother-in-law showed me all the great things about windows 10, I was excited to try it.

I take back all of what I said. This singular experience has put me squarely back in the “Apple has the best experience” camp, and I will reserve judgement on whether windows 10 is any better till I get to use it.

With that said, I hope this also helps others experiencing the same problems, because there was no help from Microsoft. Ironically, I cannot compare it Apple tech support as I have never had any issues that warranted a call to Apple Support. They were easily solved by information popups in the OS, or easily found and relevant online.