A hacking group known as Massgrave has announced what they describe as the "largest breakthrough in Windows/Office piracy ever," claiming to have cracked Microsoft's software licensing protection system on an unprecedented scale.
The exploit allegedly enables permanent activation of Microsoft products spanning from Windows Vista through Windows 11 and Server 2025, including Office applications. The group says their method can bypass volume licensing controls and the Key Management Services system used by many organizations.
Through their Microsoft Activation Scripts (MAS) project, the hackers report successfully circumventing core elements of Microsoft's original licensing model. The group plans to publicly release details of their cracking method in upcoming months.
According to Massgrave, their hack can even activate Extended Security Updates (ESU) licenses, potentially allowing Windows 10 users to receive security patches beyond the October 2025 end-of-support deadline. The group emphasizes that their method requires no third-party files or system modifications.
While specifics remain limited as development continues, the hackers suggest this new approach could be particularly valuable for older Windows versions. However, they note that established techniques like HWID activation may still be preferred in certain scenarios.
Industry observers point out that while Microsoft could theoretically patch this vulnerability, doing so would require extensive redevelopment of legacy DRM code and activation systems. Microsoft's apparent lack of aggressive response to previous activation bypasses suggests the company now prioritizes revenue streams like advertising, cloud services, and AI over traditional software licensing enforcement.
The MAS project has historically provided tools enabling unauthorized activation of standalone Microsoft products. This latest claimed breakthrough, if verified, could represent a major challenge to Microsoft's software licensing model.
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