How many computers will upgrade key activate? (Really)

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by littledebbie, Oct 26, 2012.

  1. Majestic

    Majestic MDL Junior Member

    Aug 3, 2008
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    Probably through phone activation.

    Use Product Key Viewer and see whether the Product Keys are the same for the two computers.
     
  2. pisthai

    pisthai Imperfect Human

    Jul 29, 2009
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    It's just a Backup PC for the time the Main PC goes down. I would have the option just to move the Data HDD to the Backup PC and continue work, even if the System HDD of the main would be down. As my PC having all Data on an own HDD running Raid 1, I'm quite secure. Normally those PC's will not run together on the same time for longer than a few minutes. That would prevent to get the Key blocked on one of them.
     
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  3. zbteck

    zbteck MDL Member

    Jul 27, 2009
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    No, no. As I did at the time (perhaps no longer working)

    I did clean install on both using MSDN ISO and connected to the internet.
    At the end both activated automatically. So did backup of the activation.
    After reactivated both with different and not used WMC Keys. Backup activation again.
    Systems fully updated and everything ok.

    If disable some system, I have more retail and WMC Keys.
     
  4. urie

    urie Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 21, 2007
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  5. lunario

    lunario MDL Senior Member

    Aug 5, 2012
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    i just got a new pc today and had that error too i just used the phone activation with its activated again with my same key
     
  6. roylion15

    roylion15 MDL Member

    May 1, 2009
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  7. Snuffy

    Snuffy MDL Expert

    Jan 7, 2008
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    but when you installed Win Pro using default "Retail key", then add the WMC key it was still Activated as Retail - Never to Expire...
    so mine stated... the WMC key auto upk the default key an ipk the WMC key.
    not illegal then - if it would do today. I think not ...
     
  8. rrohela

    rrohela MDL Expert

    Sep 1, 2009
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    #29 rrohela, Jan 17, 2013
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2013
    When KMS+WMC activation started, many report says that there is no way to detect that pro was retail activated or KMC activated & then upgraded to WMC retail... Other reports were, MS handover the way in hands of pirates to use genuine system...
    What happened??????.... They not only block the workaround also blocked the systems those were activated before....

    Its just a sweet dream that WMC key removes the pro key & there are no evidence of pro key used....

    Happy dreaming.... Buy more keys or pray to god daily...
     
  9. Please-8

    Please-8 MDL Junior Member

    Sep 12, 2012
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    #30 Please-8, Jan 17, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 20, 2017
    The different isn't real.

    Not quite right.

    All key viewer read the key from this registry entry (always Offset 52):
    Code:
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
    "DigitalProductId"
    A copy of the initial key is always stored here:
    Code:
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DefaultProductKey
    "DigitalProductId"
    If you upgrade with WMC key then the WMC key overwrites this registry entry:
    Code:
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
    "DigitalProductId"
    And a copy of the WMC key is added here:
    Code:
    HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DefaultProductKey2
    "DigitalProductId"
    • So all key viewer show only the last entered key (from "CurrentVersion").
    • But the initial key is still available in registry ("CurrentVersion\DefaultProductKey").
    To read and decrypt the keys use these VBS-Scripts (Source is from "Daz"):

    Key-from-CurrentVersion:
    Code:
    Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
    Key = "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\"
    DigitalID = WshShell.RegRead(key & "DigitalProductId")
    
    ProductName = "Product Name: " & WshShell.RegRead(Key & "ProductName") & vbNewLine
    ProductID = "Product ID: " & WshShell.RegRead(Key & "ProductID") & vbNewLine
    ProductKey = "Installed Key: " & ConvertToKey(DigitalID)
    ProductID = ProductName & ProductID & ProductKey
    
    If vbYes = MsgBox(ProductId & vblf & vblf & "Save to a file?", vbYesNo + vbQuestion, "Windows Key Information") then
       Save ProductID
    End if
    
    Function ConvertToKey(Key)
        Const KeyOffset = 52
        isWin8 = (Key(66) \ 6) And 1
        Key(66) = (Key(66) And &HF7) Or ((isWin8 And 2) * 4)
        i = 24
        Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
        Do
            Cur = 0
            X = 14
            Do
                Cur = Cur * 256
                Cur = Key(X + KeyOffset) + Cur
                Key(X + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24)
                Cur = Cur Mod 24
                X = X -1
            Loop While X >= 0
            i = i -1
            KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput
            Last = Cur
        Loop While i >= 0
        If (isWin8 = 1) Then
            keypart1 = Mid(KeyOutput, 2, Last)
            insert = "N"
            KeyOutput = Replace(KeyOutput, keypart1, keypart1 & insert, 2, 1, 0)
            If Last = 0 Then KeyOutput = insert & KeyOutput
        End If
        a = Mid(KeyOutput, 1, 5)
        b = Mid(KeyOutput, 6, 5)
        c = Mid(KeyOutput, 11, 5)
        d = Mid(KeyOutput, 16, 5)
        e = Mid(KeyOutput, 21, 5)
        ConvertToKey = a & "-" & b & "-" & c & "-" & d & "-" & e
    End Function
    
    Function Save(Data)
        Const ForWRITING = 2
        Const asASCII = 0
        Dim fso, f, fName, ts
        fName = "Windows Key.txt"
        Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
        fso.CreateTextFile fName
        Set f = fso.GetFile(fName)
        Set f = f.OpenAsTextStream(ForWRITING, asASCII)
        f.Writeline Data
        f.Close
    End Function
    Key-from-CurrentVersion\DefaultProductKey:
    Code:
    Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
    Key = "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DefaultProductKey\"
    DigitalID = WshShell.RegRead(key & "DigitalProductId")
    
    
    ProductID = "Product ID: " & WshShell.RegRead(Key & "ProductID") & vbNewLine
    ProductKey = "Installed Key: " & ConvertToKey(DigitalID)
    ProductID = ProductName & ProductID & ProductKey
    
    If vbYes = MsgBox(ProductId & vblf & vblf & "Save to a file?", vbYesNo + vbQuestion, "Windows Key Information") then
       Save ProductID
    End if
    
    Function ConvertToKey(Key)
        Const KeyOffset = 52
        isWin8 = (Key(66) \ 6) And 1
        Key(66) = (Key(66) And &HF7) Or ((isWin8 And 2) * 4)
        i = 24
        Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
        Do
            Cur = 0
            X = 14
            Do
                Cur = Cur * 256
                Cur = Key(X + KeyOffset) + Cur
                Key(X + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24)
                Cur = Cur Mod 24
                X = X -1
            Loop While X >= 0
            i = i -1
            KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput
            Last = Cur
        Loop While i >= 0
        If (isWin8 = 1) Then
            keypart1 = Mid(KeyOutput, 2, Last)
            insert = "N"
            KeyOutput = Replace(KeyOutput, keypart1, keypart1 & insert, 2, 1, 0)
            If Last = 0 Then KeyOutput = insert & KeyOutput
        End If
        a = Mid(KeyOutput, 1, 5)
        b = Mid(KeyOutput, 6, 5)
        c = Mid(KeyOutput, 11, 5)
        d = Mid(KeyOutput, 16, 5)
        e = Mid(KeyOutput, 21, 5)
        ConvertToKey = a & "-" & b & "-" & c & "-" & d & "-" & e
    End Function
    
    Function Save(Data)
        Const ForWRITING = 2
        Const asASCII = 0
        Dim fso, f, fName, ts
        fName = "Windows Key.txt"
        Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
        fso.CreateTextFile fName
        Set f = fso.GetFile(fName)
        Set f = f.OpenAsTextStream(ForWRITING, asASCII)
        f.Writeline Data
        f.Close
    End Function
    Key-from-CurrentVersion\DefaultProductKey2:
    Code:
    Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
    Key = "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DefaultProductKey2\"
    DigitalID = WshShell.RegRead(key & "DigitalProductId")
    
    
    ProductID = "Product ID: " & WshShell.RegRead(Key & "ProductID") & vbNewLine
    ProductKey = "Installed Key: " & ConvertToKey(DigitalID)
    ProductID = ProductName & ProductID & ProductKey
    
    If vbYes = MsgBox(ProductId & vblf & vblf & "Save to a file?", vbYesNo + vbQuestion, "Windows Key Information") then
       Save ProductID
    End if
    
    Function ConvertToKey(Key)
        Const KeyOffset = 52
        isWin8 = (Key(66) \ 6) And 1
        Key(66) = (Key(66) And &HF7) Or ((isWin8 And 2) * 4)
        i = 24
        Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
        Do
            Cur = 0
            X = 14
            Do
                Cur = Cur * 256
                Cur = Key(X + KeyOffset) + Cur
                Key(X + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24)
                Cur = Cur Mod 24
                X = X -1
            Loop While X >= 0
            i = i -1
            KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput
            Last = Cur
        Loop While i >= 0
        If (isWin8 = 1) Then
            keypart1 = Mid(KeyOutput, 2, Last)
            insert = "N"
            KeyOutput = Replace(KeyOutput, keypart1, keypart1 & insert, 2, 1, 0)
            If Last = 0 Then KeyOutput = insert & KeyOutput
        End If
        a = Mid(KeyOutput, 1, 5)
        b = Mid(KeyOutput, 6, 5)
        c = Mid(KeyOutput, 11, 5)
        d = Mid(KeyOutput, 16, 5)
        e = Mid(KeyOutput, 21, 5)
        ConvertToKey = a & "-" & b & "-" & c & "-" & d & "-" & e
    End Function
    
    Function Save(Data)
        Const ForWRITING = 2
        Const asASCII = 0
        Dim fso, f, fName, ts
        fName = "Windows Key.txt"
        Set fso = CreateObject("Scripting.FileSystemObject")
        fso.CreateTextFile fName
        Set f = fso.GetFile(fName)
        Set f = f.OpenAsTextStream(ForWRITING, asASCII)
        f.Writeline Data
        f.Close
    End Function
     
  10. iang27

    iang27 MDL Novice

    Jan 17, 2013
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    I used a new Windows 7 key today to take advantage of the Windows 8 upgrade offer. Everything went fine and then I used the 'Free' WMC code that was emailed to me and I noticed that my licence had changed to the WMC key that was emailed to me. I then presumed that the new key that I had bought could be used on my laptop but when I tried to activate I was given the error shown above that the key had exceeded its unlock limit. It had only been used once. So even though when you install WMC and it uses the WMC key the original key must still be classed as being used by Microsoft. The laptop has now got the key that I bought installed but I have the message that I need to buy a new key !!! Now what do I do, phone activation or will that not work either ??
     
  11. pisthai

    pisthai Imperfect Human

    Jul 29, 2009
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    You should try Phone activation. But keep in mind that may you'll need to give a good explanation to MS why! Change of the MB or the whole computer may do the job.
     
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  12. Pirate515

    Pirate515 MDL Novice

    Aug 21, 2012
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    #33 Pirate515, Jan 23, 2013
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2013
    If you do not "abuse" phone activation, you probably don't need to give any explanations. You get connected to an automated system where you have to punch in a bunch of numbers on your screen. It then asks you about how many machines this copy is currently installed on, if you say zero, the system will give you a second set of numbers to type into the activation box, and you are good to go.

    Now, this doesn't mean that you can keep calling that number to "activate" as many machines as your heart desires. I'm pretty sure if you call frequently enough, that product key will be flagged as suspicious and will either be blocked or you will be forced to explain yourself. I've heard through a grapevine that in some cases you will get a live person instead of an automated system to whom you will have to explain your "situation", it will then be up to them to decide whether to allow you to activate again.

    At the end of the day, only Microsoft knows the threshold of their system is and how many attempts it takes before one gets flagged or blocked. IMO, if you call once every few months or so, they will most likely give you a benefit of the doubt and will allow you to activate. However, try calling 50x a day with the same product key, and I can guarantee that that key will get blacklisted.
     
  13. mikey4g

    mikey4g MDL Novice

    Jan 29, 2013
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    Well I don't get this... If you actually read the fine print on the upgrade page it says this....

    * Offer valid from October 26, 2012 until January 31, 2013 and is for individuals and small businesses needing to upgrade up to five devices.

    Five devices? So what's the deal that should mean five computers right?
     
  14. zbteck

    zbteck MDL Member

    Jul 27, 2009
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    Each person and small businesses can buy a maximum of 5 keys to 5 devices (1/1).
     
  15. Drsela

    Drsela MDL Novice

    Aug 24, 2012
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    Microsoft is saying that you only can activate your upgrade key 5 times. When you've reached the limit, you'd have to call Microsoft so they can unlock the key again. I've no source for this information, but I remember that I did read it somewhere a few months ago.
     
  16. Please-8

    Please-8 MDL Junior Member

    Sep 12, 2012
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    Microsoft says so, but that's wrong: I've seen a guy who bought 10 keys - always with same name and address, same contact data (email and phone) and same credit card.
     
  17. psychok9

    psychok9 MDL Novice

    Jan 26, 2009
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    Guys, what is it the best way to preserve Upgrade (15€ offer) W8PRO(+WMC free) key?
    Before I format my partition, I need to remove the license with slmgr.vbs script?

    Thanks a lot.
     
  18. pisthai

    pisthai Imperfect Human

    Jul 29, 2009
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    If your key is legit and you're the real owner, didn't need to do that! If you sell the machine without the legit Windows running and it's your own key, THAN you may should remove the key!
     
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  19. pisthai

    pisthai Imperfect Human

    Jul 29, 2009
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    That limitation were fir the Upgrade Key for 14.99 used for Upgrade from an new Windows 7 PC/Laptop to Windows 8. The normal Upgrade key (39.99) you could buy as much as you like.
     
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