Software Licensing
The latest Software Licensing coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Used Hard Drives Preloaded with Windows 11 Pro Are Hitting the Market—and They’re a Major Security Risk
A listing for a used 500GB Seagate Barracuda hard drive with Windows 11 Pro 64-bit already installed has surfaced on a popular resale platform, promoted as a plug-and-play upgrade for aging PCs....
Buyers Beware: That Shiny 'Windows 10 Pro' Badge Is Just a Sticker
A new listing circulating on online marketplaces is raising eyebrows among Windows enthusiasts and refurbished PC buyers: a small, silver chrome badge bearing the words "Windows 10 Pro" is being sold...
Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac Editing Capabilities Cease on July 13, 2026 as License Certificate Expires
Office 2019 for Mac will permanently lose all editing and document creation abilities on July 13, 2026, Microsoft has confirmed. On that date, the suite’s license certificate expires, forcing Word,...
Microsoft Office on Mac and iOS to Lose Editing After July 13, 2026
Microsoft has issued a critical alert for users of its Office and Microsoft 365 applications on macOS and iOS: after July 13, 2026, these apps will enter a reduced functionality mode unless updated...
Euro-Office Fork of OnlyOffice Sparks Legal Battle Over Digital Sovereignty
The European open-source office software landscape has erupted in controversy with the launch of Euro-Office, a fork of OnlyOffice developed by Nextcloud and IONOS. This new suite, positioned as a...
UK Competition Watchdog Targets Microsoft Copilot and Enterprise Licensing in Digital Markets Probe
Britain's Competition and Markets Authority is launching a formal investigation into Microsoft's enterprise software practices, with particular focus on how the company integrates its Copilot AI...
Microsoft COA Label Trafficking Exposed: Federal Case Reveals Software Licensing Gray Market
A federal jury conviction and subsequent prison sentence have illuminated a shadowy corner of the software licensing ecosystem that few consumers consider: the underground market for genuine...
Microsoft COA Label Trafficking: Florida Reseller Conviction Exposes Software Supply Chain Weakness
A federal jury's conviction and subsequent 22-month prison sentence for a Florida software reseller has thrown a spotlight on a long-running and under-reported weakness in the Windows and Office...