The first question is whether you can use Windows permanently without a key? Yes, you can, at least the lights don’t go out automatically at some point. Windows can always be started and used again. There are just the restrictions mentioned above. Microsoft also provides security updates for non-activated installations.
But is that allowed? No, the situation is clear here. After you have skipped entering the key and selected the Windows edition, you have to accept the Windows license terms. If you don’t do that, you can’t install Windows at all. Normally nobody reads the text, but under point 5, “Authorized software and activation,” it says:
You are only authorized to use this software if you have a proper license and the software has been properly activated with an original product key.
If you use Windows without a key, you are violating Microsoft’s license terms. We therefore strongly advise against using non-activated Windows, even if Microsoft does not take more restrictive measures against it. The situation is a little more confusing with keys for Windows activation. If you want to be completely sure about the law, buy directly from Microsoft.
