What's the best way to pirate a recent Windows OS?

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.

You can permanently activate it with the scripts from massgravel: https://github.com/massgravel/Microsoft-Activation-Scripts
- Didn't microsoft recently push something to prevent these from working?
- 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.
- Don't ever run random scripts from the Internet unless you understand every line.

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.

Install official version from Microsoft website.

Open PowerShell;

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

This authenticates Win and/or upgrades version Home/Pro

Thanks! Will bookmark this :)

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

Now you have to activate it in order to change some settings.
- Which is really easy with MAS
Well, it is technically "piracy" but it's amateur piracy. No need to get fancy with torrents and VPNs or whatnot. Just download the software and... not pay.
- The problem with pirating Windows is that you don't know if it has been tempered.

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.

Here's a link for MAS for those who need it

It's a cake walk to use
- Direct link to windows or office
  
  https://massgrave.dev/genuine-installation-media.html

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.

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.
- 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

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.

I download it from Debian.org

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

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

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.

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.

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.

https://fmhy.net/base64#windows-piracy-guides

Just.. install it.

Not QUITE as useless as "just install Linux" but damn you got close.

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

https://winaero.com/download-windows-10-enterprise-iso-with-media-creation-tool/

same works for windows 11

activation: https://github.com/massgravel/Microsoft-Activation-Scripts/releases

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

Why, the laptop came with Windows so it has a license. Why not use it?
- 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.
This. Bought two keys for $3 each and no risk of any malware

Activation Script for W10/W11

Windows ISOs

mass grave dev might be able to help you

Installing Windows won't fix the spyware problem fully 😉

Mass gravel may provide you what you seek.

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.

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

Windows 10 AME

W11 costs 2€ to 5€. Just buy it.

Mmmm you're talking about key resellers. A full retail version costs $150. Keys from key resellers are notoriously unreliable. It might work forever, or it might stop working a week after you authenticated. It's more or less a gamble.

Great if it works for you, sucks if someone just wasted money (however little) on something that'll stop working - especially if it's grandma's machine.

Also, hedge your bets a little better, buy the ones that cost $10 or even $15. Historically speaking those are a safer bet.
- Not a single time did I have trouble or anyone I know.

Like using a puncture repair kit and duct tape to fix a condom after sex.

Just put one of the Linux distros on it that look like Windows. Install LibreOffice and lookalike programs.

And No, I don't care why you think you can't use Linux.

Parsec doesnt work as host on Linux. Biggest reason I can't use it. I think you care just a teeny tiny bit.
- I like this retort! Much credit.
You Linux fanboys are the worst. If you don't have anything useful to add to the conversation, then just keep scrolling.
- I'm an ex Windows fan. If you didn't use Windows 3.11 in a corporate environment to try to get some work done, you wouldn't and won't ever understand.