Sign up for a new account or log in here:
also @ TechSpot: iTunes 11.0.3 delivers revamped MiniPlayer, security fixes
Copies of Windows 8 Pro are freely available from Microsoft’s website for anyone who wants to try out the operating system. Normally, the software would expire after 180 days, a period that is meant to allow Volume Licensing customers to automate and manage the activation process. But a loophole in the company’s Key Management System allows anyone to legitimately activate their copy of Windows 8 permanently, for free.
The goof centers around the Windows Media Center upgrade that’s being for free offered by Microsoft themselves until January 31 next year. Specifically, when entering the add-on key, Microsoft’s Key Management System will let you fully activate your copy of Windows 8 without running a validity check for the product key of the underlying system the Media Center add-on is being installed on.
To get a free Media Center key all users need to do is request it from Microsoft’s website using any email address. Once the code is in your inbox, do a search for “Add features to Windows 8” under Settings, click on it and enter the product key. Media Center will download and install, and after your system comes back from a reboot, you’ll be able to use the same upgrade product key to activate Windows.
With this your copy of Windows 8 will become fully active and 'legitimate', which you can verify in the activation window where it should read “Windows is activated” instead of “Windows is activated until…”.
The method has been confirmed to work by several news outlets. I tried it as well but upon requesting a Media Center key the site responded it will be emailed to me “within 24 hours” -- I can’t tell if the wait period is standard or if Microsoft is moving to patch the flaw by implementing a check for the underlying system.
User Comments: 70
Got something to say? Post a comment-
avoidz said:
Are they that desperate to get Windows 8 on everyone's desktops? LOL
-
St1ckM4n said:
I got my key within 5 minutes.
-
1 person liked this |
If you use a free copy, don't come crying to me when they have to reimburse everyone 'cause it's crap!
-
I think that nearly makes sense!
-
Microsoft needs to remove the activation key for desktop users and provide the operating system for free. Focus on selling windows approved hardware, servers and tablets.
It was, sort of free up to Win ME !
-
Im confused as to how to get that windows 8 pro trial..the one I downloaded from here was enterprise edition..
so how do I install windows 8 pro to activate the media pack for it in the first place?
-
I'm reading this on Nov. 23rd and the links in the article don't seem to be what I was expecting them to be.
In the first sentence it says
"Copies of Windows 8 Pro are freely available from Microsoft's website for anyone who wants to try out the operating system..."
But when I click on the 'freely available' it goes to the Win 8 RTM page.
Will Win 8 RTM update to Win 8 Pro?
I somehow don't think so, but I'm hoping to be corrected.
And if Win 8 RTM doesn't upgrade to Win 8 Pro, anyone wants to get Win 8 Pro (which is what the article is about, right?) will still have to go to M$ and pay for the Win 8 Pro Pack.
Again, please correct me if I'm wrong.
And the second link which I don't think goes where it should is at the end of the first paragraph in the sentence
"But a loophole in the company's Key Management System allows anyone to [link] ."
But when I click on 'legitimately...", the link goes to a Reddit page discussing Bill Gates' philosophy about pirating.
I can understand the relationship of that discussion to this article as a whole, but I don't see why that particular link sends you there.
Hoping someone can clarify if Win 8 RTM will update to Win 8 Pro, and if it doesn't, how to get that "trial" that can be loopholed into a permanent license.
-
Absolutely correct. I do not want Windows 8 Cr^p even if it is free.
I do not need to be locked into their virus enabled bloated software.
-
Are you replying to anyone in particular or did you just want to throw that out?
-
My question too, Ike.
Looks like no-one's replying.
No TechSpot mods monitoring this?
-
My question too, Ike.Well, Techspot has never aided, abetted or condoned software piracy.
Looks like no-one's replying.
No TechSpot mods monitoring this?
In spite of many posters thinking, "they can get inside M$'s head". Or believing, "M$ really wants to give everybody a free copy of Windows 8", I'm quite skeptical about either.
IMO, many posters are delusional. That notwithstanding, I think you'll be holding your breath for a long, long, time, before the staff publishes a "how guide", for your convenience.
-
cduncan2 said:
Personally Windows 8 reminds of my XBOX 360 OS and everytime I see Windows 8 in a store somewhere It makes me want to run home and play Call of Duty. Is this the best MS could do?Personally I think this OS is a repeat of Vista with out the interface.. Let's not forget. Bill Gates had to come in and save the day with Windows 7 and since Chef Gates wasn't in the Kitchen to help with the building of Windows 8 it would be interesting to see how the public reacts to it. Personally I think the OS is rubbish and here's my suggestion to Microsoft(I'm sure they are reading this) .
Ditch the wanna be mentality, Dont be a wanna-be apple OS, dont be a wanna-be Google Chrome or Netflix interface. In general DONT be something that your not. Like meeting your Boyfriends or Girlfriends parents for the first time it's best to be yourself.
Your OS should contain 100% Fresh Code and not Legacy(why do you think your still on the hackers #1 list of things to Hack). Design it not be a resource hog. Next, The desktop looks of something of a Elematry School's cafeteria tray with Gobs of shit on it. Loose it. People know you for the start menu and easy to find icons not Not this boxed clutter mess. I mean God forbid I have to buy my mom a new computer. Teaching her how to use Windows 8 would be like teaching my dog how to fly a Private Jet.
If Microsft took the above to heart I think they could have a lot going for them. Just Say'n
-
I think you'll be holding your breath for a long, long, time, before the staff publishes a "how guide", for your convenience.
No offense, CaptainCranky, but wasn't that the premise of this article and how it started out?
I think all we're asking for is an update to the questions that we've asked (starting around Wendig0's second post or there about), or a confirmation that it is indeed dead in the water.
-
No offense, CaptainCranky, but wasn't that the premise of this article and how it started out?Hey, no offense taken. If you want my take on this,I think it's a dead issue. I suspect the copy of Windows in question, would have had to be installed a while back..
I think all we're asking for is an update to the questions that we've asked (starting around Wendig0's second post or there about), or a confirmation that it is indeed dead in the water.
The staff isn't going to publish a guide. It would be against policy. Rant, rephrase, or cajole all you like, IMO, it's not going to happen.
-
Even free I don't want windows 8.
-
Thanks, but no thanks.
-
I missed this article first time around. Anyway if I'm going to get Windows 8 I'll pay the $40 for it.
-
You're so paranoid about the mal-intent of Microsoft with Windows 8, and have so little to say about the OS to demonstrate real experience, it is clear as day you are a die-hard Apple OSX user.
-
They can't even give Windows 8 away for free!!!
-
Stuff windows go with Linux Mint ==== way better and its Totally Free with no WGA etc
Most Popular
| Trending | Featured |
Featured on Smartphones
Subscribe to TechSpot
Get free exclusive content, learn about new features and breaking tech news.