actually I believe the first WMC key can also be omitted for users don't really need WMC, just import the WMC sku license files by slmgr. My thought was: 1. install fresh w8 pro w/ w/o key 2. import the WMC sku license files dumped from WMC version w8 image 3. replace data.dat 4. import you WMC key got from M$ by slmgr -ipk 5. activate it through M$
What about those with custom created ProWMC fresh install? The upgrade keys are not working with reg hack or any other method.
Hi, is there a way to "trick" windows to think that WMC is installed without actually installing it? for instance, i have WIN8 pro activated by KMS, now i want to use the WMC key without installing WMC. thanks,
Hi, Yesterday I took my time to try this out, I installed a new win 8 pro copy and tried to restore my activation ( I activated using the free WMC key ) directly and it didn't work.. I had to add WMC which means it has to be via internet and after 31/01/2013 those keys will be surely blocked. Edit : those keys " could " be blocked .. we have to wait to see. So the solution was : making a new windows 8 pro WMC ISO [ thanks to ambidav ], before the windows starts it will ask for a key and I believe you can use any WMC keys ( even those given by microsoft ) to finish the install and restore your licence after ( sometimes you need to restore it twice for it to work ) with Advanced Tokens Manager [ thanks to Josh Cell ] and everything works like a charm. thanks everyone for your great help and valuable informations.
Install it and activate, after that goto control panel->programs and features->turn windows feature on/off->untick WMC.
my understanding of it is: If you do not use the key before the specified date, you lose it But if you do, then it is yours to keep we shall see, but thanks for the testing my friend
First post: very good solution, worked very well! Tried it with my own data.dat taken from a properly activated Win 8 Pro WMC installation, no problems. An interesting thing I noted was that after replacing the data.dat file in step 5, "slmgr /dlv" reported that there is no product key installed (I used the default retail key during installation).
I hope so, but we have to be ready for all the possibilities I used : slmgr -upk to delete and re-enter the keys one by one .. so if what you say is correct I will have all my keys working after
oh I feel dump now .. well it doesn't hurt if I put my key from the beginning .. it works anyway thanks for the tip
@FaiKee: Where/how did you get the data.dat file? It is much larger than what I have on my properly activated Pro + WMC install. Also, your data.dat works on more systems than mine, so it's more "powerful". How could I reproduce your data.dat?
If you are connected to the Internet at the time, then the system may automatically activate after adding the key. There is typically a small delay, but it varies and may happen immediately.
Hello FaiKee For info For me > réel computer (not vm) Install a Windows 8 Pro x64 clean installation with Professional Product Key Add the feature WMC, and enter the WMC key. Replace the file data.dat in the store folder by the data.dat in this attachment. Input your own WMC key obtained from MS, then activate it,have to do it one. > Work fine Best regards
Sometimes the computer->properties didn't show "activated" after the first try(although slmgr shows activated); so just need to click for activation and then it will show activated too. Sorry that was my night time here......I got it from a friend.