Alternatives to KMS38 for Windows: what options exist and which to avoid

Microsoft recently dealt a blow to pirated methods for activating Windows. This effectively disabled popular activation tools like KMS38. So what now? Let's talk about alternatives to KMS38 for Windows: What options are available and which ones should you avoid at all costs?.

Alternatives to KMS38 for Windows: few options on the table

There are quite a few users looking for alternatives to KMS38 for Windows. Microsoft released a security patch in November 2025And with it, it neutralized any attempt at illegal activation. Therefore, KMS38 no longer works to activate Windows, leaving many computers with watermarks and the other limitations of an unlicensed Windows installation. (See the topic KMS38 no longer works to activate Windows: what has changed and why).

Activating Windows is a recurring and much-debated topic among those who insist on using Microsoft's operating system while avoiding costs. For years, KMS38 was the preferred solutionA method capable of activating Windows 10 and 11 until 2038 by bypassing the product key management service. But few anticipated Microsoft's recent move that has rendered this and similar tools useless.

What alternatives to KMS38 for Windows are there? Which are the safest? Is it still possible to activate Windows without paying for a license? Which tools should be avoided? We'll tackle this hot topic and try to... to put on the table the few options that are still circulatingLet's start with the legitimate alternatives, that is, those approved by Microsoft; then, we'll see if there's any option to activate Windows without paying, and finally, we'll indicate which areas are best avoided.

Recommended alternatives: the safe path

Without meaning to be a spoilsport, it must be said that The best alternatives to KMS38 for Windows are official licensesNot only are they safer and more stable, but they also allow you to enjoy all the benefits of an activated Windows. Furthermore, you avoid the constant worry that the system will unexpectedly detect the illegal activator and revert its effects.

Therefore, if you really want to use Windows as your personal operating system, Consider the option of acquiring a legal license.These are your best alternatives:

• Official digital licensesYou can purchase them from the Microsoft Store or authorized resellers (€145–€260). They offer permanent and legal activation, along with direct technical support from Microsoft. They are also transferable between devices (but not simultaneously).
• OEM Licenses (Original Equipment Manufacturer)These are much cheaper than digital licenses (between €5 and €15). They are spare keys from PC manufacturers, which are then resold in authorized stores. However, they are not transferable; they are tied to the computer's hardware. They are the best option for activating Windows on a personal computer.

Of course, remember that You can also use Windows 10 and 11 without activationIn a mode with reduced functionality, you won't be able to change the wallpaper or apply other personalization settings. Additionally, the watermark reminding you to activate Windows will remain. However, in return, you get a fully functional system that receives security updates.

Alternatives to KMS38 for Windows: Activation Scripts (MAS)

We now move into the gray area, where you can still find "free" and "safe" alternatives to KMS38 for Windows. We're not recommending them, but we will mention them. They are a lifeline for many users who relied on KMS38 to activate WindowsOne of these alternatives is the well-known open-source project called Microsoft Activation Scripts (MAS), hosted on platforms such as GitHub.

Unlike KMS38, MAS uses a method called HWID (Hardware ID). What does it consist of? Basically, it does the following: Generate a permanent digital license by simulating a free upgrade from Windows 7 or 8Technically, it's a violation of Microsoft's terms of service. Nevertheless, many users prefer it because:

• It does not require installing additional software, as it runs from PowerShell.
• It does not contain executable binary files that could conceal malware.
• Activation is permanent, even after formatting the disk.

If you want to know more details about it, you can go to the official project page on GitHubThis is it. So far, one of the best KMS38 alternatives for Windows that still workAnd we say "still" because Microsoft can invalidate these licenses at any time through server updates.

These are the KMS38 alternatives for Windows that you should avoid.

Finally, let's talk about the alternatives to KMS38 for Windows that You should avoid this if you don't want to catch a virus.Caution is advised, because some of these “solutions” are actually the gateway to bigger problems. Therefore, they should be avoided under all circumstances.

• Automated KMS Activatorssuch as KMSPico, Microsoft Toolkit, and KMS_VL_ALL. KMSPico, for example, is one of the most well-known, but also the most frequently impersonated. Running it on your computer can open the door to threats like keyloggers or cryptocurrency miners.
• Cracks and LoadersThese are .exe files that patch system files to simulate activation. However, they rarely offer a permanent solution and almost always cause serious system errors.
• Password-protected activators in ZIP formatBe suspicious of any activator that asks you to disable your antivirus and comes in a password-protected compressed file. As you may know, the password prevents automatic browser scanners from detecting malicious content before you download it.
• Modified versions of Windows “already activated”Downloading and installing a modified ISO is dangerous, as you don't know what software has been added. Furthermore, these operating systems don't receive official updates; it's better to use an unactivated version of Windows.

Indeed, there are still alternatives to KMS38 for Windows, so you can rest easy. A word of advice: if your operating system is Windows, consider purchasing an official license to save yourself a lot of trouble. Otherwise, Try the "safe" alternatives for free activation or, why not, switch to free softwareAnything but compromising your security by running activators from dubious sources or installing modified versions.