I am doing all experiments in VirtualBox VMs with snapshots, so I am sure that it is the same. I know how to make sure that this is not a problem.
Requirement: possibly retailed-activated files as inferred by user @BTOR's experiment. 2) Replace store\2.0\cache\cache.dat with data.dat from my backup Copy & rename your win8 data.dat as cache.dat. Then you have this cache.dat to replace win8.1 cache. This seems to be the only difference in the process that I detect. In summary: win8's original tokens.dat to replace win8.1's tokens.dat. win8's original data.dat - rename it as cache.dat - to replace win8.1's cache.dat. in the Windows 8.1 store\2.0 folder win8.1's data.dat not touched at all. This process seems to be confirmed in the other forum.
Hi, Just activated my windows 8.1 Enterprise with this method !! Upgraded to windows Enterprise eval 8.1 backuped the spp folder, installed windows enterprise rtm 8.1 followed the method in post 1 and whala t works !! Downside it's activated untill 16-01-2014 but i don't care in October i will get the real thingy Greetz Endbase
Used the windows Enterprise 8.1 evaluation key given by microsoft and the tokens from that same version
I am reading the post just now and what I have understood and I will try Tomorrow is the following: my win8 backup contains two files: * data.dat * tokens.dat Win8.1 store\2.0 folder contains: * data.dat * tokens.dat Win8.1 store\2.0\cache folder contains: * cache.dat 1.Upgrade Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 using generic installation key (DVD by WZT is used) 2.Stop the spp service (i.e. Press the Windows + R keys and type services.msc and then find Software Protection and click the stop button or alternative way) 3.Replace win8.1's system32/spp/store/2.0/tokens.dat with win8's tokens.dat 4.Rename win8's original data.dat as cache.dat and then Replace win8.1's system32/spp/store/2.0/cache.dat 5.Do not touch win8.1's data.dat in store\2.0 folder 6.Start the spp service 7.Insert in win8.1 the same key used to activate win8 by using elevated command prompt with slmgr -ipk xxx command. is not it?
That's what I am doing. Everything else is exactly the same procedure as you and others describe. My backup is from a retail key activated win 8 pro + free wmc upgrade key. Both the pro retail key and the wmc upgrade key successfully activate both online and over the phone in win 8. They also both successfully activate in win 8.1 both online and over the phone. So I'm sure the keys are fine. I just don't see what factor I'm missing. PS: I'm still dubious that it's necessary at all to replace cache.dat in the first place. Just deleting it should be sufficient too. Nevertheless, I'm following the instructions exactly.
@kelorgo From what is written 2) Replace store\2.0\cache\cache.dat with data.dat from my backup I took it literally that you placed your win8's data.dat into this folder thus without overwrite/replace the cache.dat. In other words, there are now two files in C:\Windows\System32\spp\store\2.0\cache - win 8.1's new cache.dat and your win8's data.dat. I assume that's not happening. Let's us try another tack. After copy & rename your win8's data.dat as cache.dat; please ensure this newly-renamed cache.dat is placed into this folder: C:\Windows\System32\spp\store\2.0\cache and not in this folder: C:\Windows\System32\spp\store\2.0. The replacement files must locate in the appropriate folders. The sequences in which they are done matter a lot. If you are successful, then, by all means try out your hunches about "that it's not necessary at all to replace cache.dat in the first place. Just deleting it should be sufficient too."
@thep59 This method also not working for me... Only one person claim that his 8.0 tokens worked with 8.1 with this method... As every one is trying to activate 8.1 then, why more success stores are not here?
Went the hard way via Audit Mode; activated the Pro Install first via retail Channel, then updraded with one of my free WMC keys and performed the Sysprep/Generalize with capture afterwards. Seems the generated tokens look legit, so activation with my keys works flawlessly .
Buddy you need to elaborate it more..... what i understand is you installed 8.1 & under audit mode activated it via Phone & then online or again phone with WMC. Then syspreped & captured.... then you used that to installed different system or same system or used different key to activate online.... I am
Didn´t activate the ProWMC as the Sysprep/generalize uses to nuke the activation, so i saw no need for that . Installed several times in fresh VMs and once on a spare partition. Tested only for ability to take my keys without discussion and tried phone activation for one of the VMs, what worked flawlessly . No clue whether this is perfect, buts it´s a way to build the WIM wíthout needing foreign tokens or the ones from Win 8 .
@rrohela You are right to expect more success stories. Here @MDL @ambidav had success with the same process (though with wmc added). At another forum (***********) the OP & another user claimed good results. A mystery this process is. I confess that I myself had not tried this procedure.
There is no Windows Enterprise eval 8.1 (6.3.9600.16384) <- Used this one of course ON this web page .
Your right my mistake i meant the other version Windows Enterprise Preview 8.1 (6.3.9431.0) file to download 9431.0.WINMAIN_BLUEMP.130615-1214_X64FRE_ENTERPRISE_EN-US_VL-IMP_CENA_X64FREV_EN-US_DV5 ore x86 as you wish
Downloaded 9431.0.WINMAIN_BLUEMP.130615-1214_X64FRE_ENTERPRISE_EN-US_VL-IMP_CENA_X64FREV_EN-US_DV5, Installed and activated and backup activation. Installed MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.8.1.ENTERPRISE.RTM.X64.VOLUME.ENGLISH.DVD-WZT and used backup activation, DID NOT WORK . MICROSOFT.WINDOWS.8.1.ENTERPRISE.RTM.X64.VOLUME.ENGLISH.DVD-WZT will not USE / INSTALL the serial .