Windows Updates will indeed download and install updates even when your Windows 10 isn't activated. ... The interesting thing about Windows 10 is that anyone can download it and choose Skip for now when asked for a license key. One might call Windows 10 Freemium or Nagware.

Can you update unactivated Windows 10?

Yes, you could still update on an unactivated Windows 10. However, If the operating system is not activated, there is a watermark showing the edition of Windows on desktop, personalization features are disabled. Entire Screen notification appears periodically, roughly once in 6 hours.

What happens if Windows 10 is not activated?

There will be a 'Windows isn't activated, Activate Windows now' notification in Settings. You will not be able to change the wallpaper, accent colors, themes, lock screen, and so on. Anything related to Personalization will be grayed out or not accessible. Some apps and features will stop working.