You don't need to disconnect from the internet at all. Running SLUI 3 will change keys with the GUI Running SLUI 4 will bring up the phone activation window. There's no need to play with your internet connection.
I used the first key on the op post then was able to use my Windows 8 and Windows 8 MCE keys after just fine. Thanks. P.S. - Make sure you use your original Windows 8 key first! The MCE key is an addon key. In the end you should see "Windows 8.1 with Media Center". If you have Windows 8 Pro key then it will have Pro right after the 8.1 bit.
Chiming in... Using the temporary keys in the first post worked for me. After a restart, I used one of my WMC keys from Microsoft and activated successfully over the phone.
I activated my 8.1 Pro and added the WMC pack. Now I can't activate the WMC. Can I reset it to 8.1 pro and input my activated codes? Or I'll have to do a clean 8.1 pro install? I still keep the activation codes and they work well. I'm sure if I can make 8.1 pro w/ WMC to plain 8.1 pro, the WMC would stop working, right?
I believe that even using the registry edit to change ntversion stuff would probably not properly keep any program files and settings, right? Sorry, I really shouldn't chime in with such an empty speculation, but you always seem to be good about actually testing things rather than talking out your ass like a lot of us do I was wondering if you had thoughts on the regedit up/down stuff
Hi guys, Trying to use this method. I also have now W8 + free WMC key upgraded to Windows 8.1 Pro Preview with Media Center. From the start post and other posts I didn't get where should I look for data.dat. Is it ok to use it from my current system? Thanks for any info.
I gave up on the 8.1 pro | WMC. It is not worth the effort to figure out how my WMC key would not work. There are so many other media players that I can use in place of WMC. I put in my WMC and some of my friends' WMC keys and none of them worked.
Free giveaway WMC keys had to be used until a specific date. Otherwise they went useless and can't activate anymore. So, that's why.
Hello Your keys are blocked yesterday, it works at 5 P.M. and at 8 P.M. the in phone tell me "your keys are not valid....).. I 've tryed many keys (find on Internet) same result ... can you help me.. THANKS .... nice place to exchange...
Followed your guide to the letter: Did a clean install of 8.1 Pro x64 with provided key, upgraded to WMC successfully, downloaded and copied data.dat file. However, when I try to add my very own and personal 'MS promo' key for WMC, I get error 0xC004F601 and Win 8.1 complains the key doesn't work, try another key. This key was initially activated before Jan 31 deadline; later I used it when I reinstalled Win8 (going from x86 to x64 after a memory upgrade), and it also worked. Now it doesn't work with the guide you provided. I did search around the Web and found two 'data.dat' files, one just 36K, the other is 320K, neither works. I also tried my own data.dat from Win 8.1 preview, which didn't help either. Then I also used another free WMC key, which has not been activated by Jan 31 - same problem. Is there any specific 'data.dat' that I should be looking for?
One that originates from a legitimate Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 8.1 WMC installation, where the Windows 8.1 Pro was activated with a legitimate retail key.