Windows activation is part of Microsoft's Windows product activations process. The aim of the windows activation is to provide a link between licensed copy windows and a specific computer system. Creating such a link would prevent the same copy for windows to be installed on more than one computer system. A copy can only work for a system. If you tried to install another computer system with a copy of windows that have been used for another system, the computer system will not be activated.

What happens if your computer system is not activated.

Using an unactivated window tends to be annoying because you will be limited to some features. Here are some features you don't be able to make use of if your windows aren't activated;

Limited personalized settings

you won’t be able to do much in personalization when using an unactivated OS. Windows 10 is a bit strict on its personalization settings as it only allows users with activated Windows 10 to tweak and modify the display settings.

Below are some of the personalization settings that you won’t be able to access when using an unactivated Windows 10

• Background and wallpaper settings:
  When operating an unactivated Windows 10, you’ll be limited to the default wallpapers that come with Windows.

• You can’t modify the colors of your applications

• You’ll have an impersonal Lock Screen

• You can’t remove the default theme

• You’ll have default fonts only

• Your Start Menu settings can’t be configured

• You can’t customize your taskbar

• You won’t get crucial security updates

Users with a licensed copy of Windows 10 are usually eligible for security updates that help prevent malware, viruses, and a host of other cyber threats from attacking their respective systems. Although these updates can prove annoying for most users, they play a pivotal role in keeping hackers and malicious users at bay.

You’ll get persistent notifications to activate Windows 10

you’ll receive several potentially annoying notifications reminding you to activate the OS.

Activate Windows watermark

If you fail to activate your Windows 10 after the trial period expires, Windows will automatically place a semi-transparent watermark on the screen’s bottom part. The purpose of the watermark is to remind you to activate your Windows to get full access to all of Microsoft’s features.