Yeah...i know, but even in safe mode it might fail. My intention is to do it without using any foreign data.dat. So i installed Pro in Audit Mode and activated via phone, then added WMC using my own key (this works only after activation of Pro with retail key). Didn´t activate that as the following Sysprep/Generalize nukes the activation anyway. At least captured it and rebuilt the ISO. Tested several installs, it always takes all offered keys and activates flawlessly.
Hell yah. My favorite, when they actually start releasing kbfiles, is gonna be: Code: dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup /resetbase Gotta love removing outdated sxs and uninstall info...
Yep, when seeing these i definitly will give the Dism /online maintenance it´s own sub-menu in my script tool . Good to have that to cleanup my Auditmode updated images .
I finally activated with a PRO RTM key via phone. A quick note, the key i used didn't work with online activation. Later i will try to use my WMC upgrade key. There is a way to backup my activation?
The key that I get from $15 upgrade doesn't work via phone/online. but the free WMC key work fine using first post method. I check with slmgr.vbs expire and I got "permanently activated". I should be ok, right ?
Nice try...but they can still patch sppsvc and other components silently without using WU, as already done to patch their WMC fauxpas last year .
So here is my fool-proof method for activation of 8.1PRO/WMC. I installed 8PRO with general provided key, then activated WMC with general provided key. This will have you at an unactivated 8.1PRO/WMC. Then I copied dat file to the correct spp folder and restarted computer. Once booted back up I cmnd prompted my retail WMC key, and rebooted again. After booting back again I called the US center and all is activated! FINALLY!!!
Thanks for all the great info, I was able to activate my old MCE product key that expired back in Feb. via Skype to UK.
Yes, I used the new Windows 8.1 Activation backup method to save mine - just in case.... have to save my Windows 8.1 and Office 2013 Activation... Backed up on: 9/1/2013 2:18:24 PM Edition: Windows 8.1 Pro & Office Professional Plus 2013 Windows Architecture: x64 - Office Architecture: x64 Windows Build: 6.3.9600 - Office Build: 15.0.4420.1017 Windows Product Key: -4CWXV Office Product Key: --TJC9K Genuine Windows: True Windows Key Type: RETAIL Office Key Type: RETAIL Tokens CRC32: D1FB86C5 Data CRC32: 9C18E0B2 info from data