So first to mention, I read the post about various activations methods - The Windows Activation in Depth Theres some 8.1 skype activation going on, people getting keys from web, and use them to activate through skype call. Whats going on there? Are those some legit keys? Why use phone activation then and not just over the internet? What about multiple users using the same key that gets posted? Or is it blocked right after first use? Will these keys last? Second question. There are multiple identical PCs(identical guts) with win8 core retail to be installed on. Can win 8.1 be installed on one of the PCs, with all the updates, custom settings and various programs. Then this hdd would be cloned to the rest of the PCs. Would then just changing keys using slmgr.vbs -ipk for another legal retail key allow normal activation, and therefore saving time with rest of those PCs?
Theres some 8.1 skype activation going on, people getting keys from web, and use them to activate through skype call. MSDN / Technet Retail Keys can be activated online 10 times after that unlimited phone activation is available. It could be an exploit, this method is there ever since XP is launched, selecting option "1" in order to cheat the system that you are doing a re-install on a same PC. It means you are telling the system that you might have upgraded your hardware but the key is mine and I am just re-installing. They system believes you. Whats going on there? Those are leaked / stolen keys from the MSDN / Technet / VLSC Are those some legit keys? Why use phone activation then and not just over the internet? The keys are legit but some a-holes share the key in public as they dont' like Microsoft Products. What about multiple users using the same key that gets posted? It will get blacklisted in no time. Or is it blocked right after first use? Yes, they will be blocked for sure. Will these keys last? Nope Second question. There are multiple identical PCs(identical guts) with win8 core retail to be installed on. Can win 8.1 be installed on one of the PCs, with all the updates, custom settings and various programs. Then this hdd would be cloned to the rest of the PCs. You can do that but if you have different hardware on the PCs it might not work. For example if you have different MOBO then it would be a problem. So i would suggest a clean install on every PC. Would then just changing keys using slmgr.vbs -ipk for another legal retail key allow normal activation, and therefore saving time with rest of those PCs? The above method is possible as long as you have a genuine key. According to the above statement it looks like you are in Corporate / Small Business environment therefore i would suggest you not to try those leaked keys from the internet.
Then people who used a key retail leaked in the net to activate your windows by phone soon will be windows disabled by ms?
That is pretty sure, why do you think they provided an upgrade from store ? Just to track keys and bad users.
I do see a problem with MS blocking activation's from leaked MAK keys if you install from a leaked ISO rather that the store MS have no way of telling if you are legitimate user of that key or not, so there not going to deactivate your system for fear of deactivating legitimate users
It's very easy to identify the illegitimate users, because once you activate your PC using the leaked key your system information is registered with Microsoft and they can identify the PC based on the IP. Also they will first block your Microsoft Account associated with your Activated PC. Trust me I have been following Microsoft for the past 6-8 months or so they are now very strict with their "Code of Conduct" and "Terms of use". Do you think they are not aware of what is going on this world about the illegal activation process?. They are just watching us to witness how far it goes so that they can trap you at the right time. One line - Don't mess with Microsoft. But I do like to
Personal I don't think it will happen and ppl that then used there legitimate WMC should be fine I am not saying your wrong but ! I for one believe that Ms would still prefer you are using there latest software even if it is a pirate copy than you switch to apple or android on a tablet it makes seance the more ppl using your software the bigger your hold on the market. Only time will tell
Yes of course that's the only point Microsoft letting pirates to use Windows as long as the consumers use their Product Microsoft Windows. In India nobody knows the meaning of Genuine same with other countries like China, Russia and to name a few.
You missed the champ, old daddy: Indonesia has been reported to be the highest rate, somewhere above 90%.
M$ is watching since XP released & will keep on watching us...... We helped M$ in securing there product with every release. we are also behind there release popularity as now many can activate, use & discuss about it without paying..... M$ should have to pay us for all this....
To put it simply Activating a key through skype is stupid. I did not answer the question regarding this in the Windows Activation in depth because it's like handling a MAK key where everyone knows the key is out there and is using it like mad. Please note the thread in question is going to be morphing a lot before its done being finalized by the sheer amount of information going into it lol. The key is eventually going to go bad and those who did activate it using the key that was used will quickly find the key they have is black listed. There after the activation will go bad because SPPSVC runs a check everytime you start the OS up. In general I did not view this methods longevity as worthy risking your Microsoft Account over. That being said I have never linked my Microsoft Account with my Local machines as I simply do not trust Microsoft haha. I hope this answers your question and high fives MSDNAA for answering everything. (Side note / Point of order MSDNAA since MSDNAA no longer exist should be call you Dreamspark? lol)
So just out of interest in your opinion what happens to those who activate with a leaked MAK key then upgrade using their legit WMC key ?
You must have heard of M$ phrase saying that "you may be a victim of software counterfeiting", it doesn't mean you did the piracy. who don't have more than one M$ account? who are using pirated system are always took extra measures to protect them from MS than virus...
No one has real idea, why you looking for another imaginary answer?? According to me it would be something like this "you may be a victim of software counterfeiting", for M$ major problem is people selling pirated system not people like us.....
Wrong I do have an idea. Ok When you change the edition on Windows it changes the files in Servicing / Registry / Tokens / etc etc... That means your basically do the same thing as making an upgrade key work when you have nothing to come from (remember Windows 7 upgrade keys from vista). In that case ya simply installed Windows 7 then upgraded to the same edition using a few registry tricks. And by that logic you could say that doing an upgrade from a counterfeit copy is legit. Frowned on but legit.
Missing one thing, when people upgraded to WMC from KMS activated system M$ blocked that but sppsvs is capable of telling that system was KMS activated. All this info is stored in to tokens files... As of date M$ has not implemented WGA check(even its part of SPP) for this on win 8 but not difficult to find... till then no worries....
It was also the same with win8 you could install win7 activated with windows loader then get a upgrade key from MS upgrade with a clean install and activate with $50 upgrade key even though it cost a bit it was still cheaper than buying a new licence over here