Turn Off Windows Activation Messages in Windows 8
This article teaches you how to disable desktop pop-up menus that tell you to "Activate Windows" in the Windows 8 trial version.
Contents
Steps
Disabling Security Messages Manually
- Search for your PC's Action Center. You can do this in a couple of different ways:
- Click the white notification flag in the bottom right corner of your screen.
- Type "Action Center" into the Start menu search bar.
- Click Open Action Center. If you used a Start menu search to find the Action Center, this option will simply say Action Center.
- Click Change Action Center settings. It's on the left side of your screen.
- Click the box next to "Windows Activation". This is under the "Security Messages" section. Clicking this box should un-check it, thereby removing activation messages.
- Although this method will work for some users, the Windows Activation box is usually greyed-out and, thus, unclickable. If this is the case, you'll need to use an Object Enabler program like Winabler to unlock the button.
Using Winabler to Disable Security Messages
- Open the Winabler webpage. Winabler is a tool that allows you to force greyed-out (unclickable) buttons to allow you to click them.
- Click HERE to the left of a "Standard Installation" Winabler version. This will be either the 1625 KB or the 1723 KB version of Winabler.
- The other versions of Winabler on this page require additional setup, so stick to the standard installation versions.
- Double-click the Winabler set-up program. This should be on your desktop (or wherever your default save location is).
- You may need to verify that you wish to proceed with this program by clicking Yes.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. While setting up Winabler, you'll need to do the following:
- Agree to the terms of use.
- Select an install location.
- Open the Action Center settings menu if it isn't already open. While you're waiting for Winabler to finish installing, you'll want to navigate to the greyed-out Windows Activation box if you don't still have the menu open.
- Open Winabler. Do so by double-clicking the Winabler icon--it should be in the location you chose during setup.
- Winabler installs to your desktop by default.
- Click and drag the Winabler crosshairs onto the Windows Activation box. Doing so should unlock the button.
- The button may appear grey, but you should be able to click it after dropping the crosshairs onto it.
- If the box remains unclickable, try checking the Repeatedly enable objects that continually disable themselves box in the Winabler window and trying again.
- Uncheck the Windows Activation box.
- Click OK. Doing so will save your settings and prevent the Windows 8 activation messages from popping up.
- Consider Activate-Windows-8. The only long-term fix for those pesky Windows activation messages is to verify your version of Windows 8.
Tips
- Restarting your computer might reset the activation messages' settings.
Warnings
- Disabling activation reminders will not cancel the activation deadline.
Related Articles
- Get Tweetro for Windows 8
- Play Windows 8 Tunein Radio
- Change Your Homegroup Password in Windows 8
- Refresh Windows 8