• Microsoft mistakenly gifts Windows 8 pirates with a free activation key
    69 replies, posted
[QUOTE]Microsoft's final copy of Windows 8 [URL="http://www.theverge.com/2012/8/2/3216103/windows-8-download-leak-enterprise-n"]leaked online back in early August[/URL] and pirates have been battling to work around Microsoft's activation technology ever since. Early attempts involved the use of third-party Key Management Services (KMS) servers that would activate a copy for 180 days, requiring a re-activation every six months. This work around has allowed Windows 8 pirates to use the operating system free of charge temporarily, but the software maker has now made it even easier to avoid paying for a key. Microsoft is [URL="http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/25/3553686/microsoft-free-media-center-upgrade-for-windows-8-pro-users"]giving away a Media Center upgrade[/URL] to Windows 8 Pro users until January 31st, and pirates have discovered that the key provided will fully activate a copy of Windows 8 that was previously temporarily activated through the KMS workaround. The blunder means pirates can download an illegitimate copy of Windows 8, temporarily activate it through KMS and then upgrade it fully to an activated copy of Windows 8 thanks to Microsoft's own Media Center upgrade offer. [I]The Verge[/I] has confirmed the procedure works on a test machine and we have reached out to Microsoft for a comment on the method.[/QUOTE] [URL="http://www.theverge.com/2012/11/21/3674706/windows-8-activation-key-pirates"]Source is always The Verge[/URL] Grab yer keys fellas [sp]I still have one laying around... good thing I bought the OS.[/sp]
eh. not worth it.
Gimme it.
Wow, a steam friend said this to me about a month ago so I googled it but I didn't get any results so I thought he was talking shit
[QUOTE=firstblood;38540037]Gimme it.[/QUOTE] [B]P[/B]ossibly, [B]M[/B]aybe...
They'd have to pay me to use 8
Already got one almost a month ago. This is what I have been waiting for apparently.
Dunno why you would pirate W8, it's only 50 bucks, really cheap for what it is, a whole operating system for the price of a game. It just seems like too much of a hassle to pirate it anyway, i'd rather pay the cash and just know it's going to work properly with no activation issues.
Can we take it and wait a couple months to activate? I'd like to update eventually, but not now.
I think I'll stick with Windows 7.
that is absolutely hilarious
[QUOTE=Untouch;38540148]Can we take it and wait a couple months to activate? I'd like to update eventually, but not now.[/QUOTE] They'll probably disable all non-activated keys so far and stop giving keys away.
You have to activate the key before like the 1st of february in order to make it work but this wont last long.
Sticking with Windows 7 :)
8 is great! For Tablets
[QUOTE=barttool;38540085][B]P[/B]ossibly, [B]M[/B]aybe...[/QUOTE] Ill stick with w7 just messing.
bought windows 8 and i would not switch back to 7.
Maybe I'll put 8 on my Laptop because I need it to be open and go. Lately it's only been about quick searches and printing. Def on 8's capabilities
Eh Whatever, I still have 6 or 7 of them thanks to MSDNAA :v:
[QUOTE=TheTalon;38540225]8 is great! For Tablets[/QUOTE] Obviously haven't used it. I'm rarely on the start screen and I'm rarely on anything that uses the start screen.
I'd rather keep 7 on a desktop.
[QUOTE=Tony;38540145]Dunno why you would pirate W8, it's only 50 bucks, really cheap for what it is, a whole operating system for the price of a game. It just seems like too much of a hassle to pirate it anyway, i'd rather pay the cash and just know it's going to work properly with no activation issues.[/QUOTE] 50 bucks for Win7 with a different start menu, no thanks.
[QUOTE=TheTalon;38540225]8 is great! For Tablets[/QUOTE] Windows 8 tablet version is great for tablets Windows 8 desktop version is great for desktops/laptops. [editline]21st November 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Electrocuter;38540992]50 bucks for Win7 with a different start menu, no thanks.[/QUOTE] There are tons of changes other than the 2 most obvious ones (start menu and theme).
[QUOTE=TonyP;38541068]There are tons of changes other than the 2 most obvious ones (start menu and theme).[/QUOTE] Like what? I used it for like, half an hour on a friends laptop at school so it's pretty much my first impression. You know what they say about first impressions.
microsoft should feel fortunate people are willing to bother stealing their shit os
Heh, I actually used this for my mom's laptop to give her a fresh, fully activated copy of Windows 8. Best part is, they really can't just deactivate the keys without fucking themselves over.
So, people that have the OS, how is it?
[QUOTE=Electrocuter;38541189]Like what? I used it for like, half an hour on a friends laptop at school so it's pretty much my first impression. You know what they say about first impressions.[/QUOTE] That they don't give insight into detailed and extensive kernel overhauls, significant performance improvements and general usability enhancements?
[QUOTE=DudeGuyKT;38541260]So, people that have the OS, how is it?[/QUOTE] I was very anti windows 8, but now I've made the switch and honestly, I don't use metro that much.The desktop experience is improved, with a better file explorer and task manager (also multimonitor taskbar is a great addition). I only use metro when I search for an app, or a setting.
I managed to activate Windows 8 Enterprise by disconnecting my internet and trying to activate by phone, and using the toll-free UK number. This worked for the RTM and hasn't been patched and worked when I installed windows 8 some weeks ago.
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