Hi all, just thought id share...... as we know MS offer an upgrade of windows 8 for $14.99 if you have bought a computer recently with windows 7 on it i checked the registration form and they never asked for proof of purchase or serial number....!! so i filled in the form with a name and model number of a laptop from a brochure (which had windows 7 ultimate on it) low and behold i was sent an upgrade offer with promotion code for windows 8 pro i dont own a laptop and i intended on installing it on a desktop........a fresh install !! did you know that an upgrade disk is exactly the same as a full disk......its just the key that differs..... so i downloaded the upgrade assistant, bought the digital copy (with key) with the promo code and burnt it to a DVD as an iso heres the thing, the upgrade disk lets you do a fresh install ("custom") with an upgrade key but after installation your windows is not activated.......and cant be activated with that key..........the activation windows says that your key is meant for upgrade only and not full install..... so what to do......... simply run your computer (with unactivated windows 8 on it) untill it reaches the desktop stage then pop the same upgrade disk in and upgrade on top of the unactivated windows 8 you just installed !!...ie....run the disk in windows, do not boot from it..... ***do not fresh install, choose "upgrade"***......and plug in the same key you received with the digital copy. this time, when windows 8 upgrades on its self and restarts its fully activated and legit........ i dont know about you guys but im sick of hack and cracks with patches.........always worrying about losing activation with service packs and what not... this way, ive obtained a clean copy of windows 8 pro straight from MS and activated it legitimately all for $14.99 and without having to buy a computer........ no more hactivation worries or loss of activation........
I've installed from an MSDN image - in wich i've added an ei.cfg file, so it let me install without key ( I was waiting to much for the package I've ordered, so I've decided to have it already installed. ) When I've received the package (I've buy the full upgrade package - with 2 DVD's ) I've just install the key using slmgr -ipk. At first it tells me Windows is Not Activated, if I try to activate manually it say the key is blocked. But 5 minutes later it has activated by itself.
Motaba - it is not time effective. Instal fresh clean windows via KMS - buy your key install free WMC with legit key - your legit.
Simply microsoft does not give a F, they want just to sell so many more copies because they are making something completely new and they need to give results because windows 8 will be basic of next versions of windows.
Ehh you still need to give the pc name, store, your name, phone number, adress etc.. They might check it and blacklist the key in future, which means you screwed 15 usd and a win8 copy because you wanted the 30 usd version for 15 usd that much LOL I just got a promotion key trough forums, there are enough people around here that have a win7 pc and are willing to share their promotion key
All fake and u still get the key?... lets face it they giving away the OS to sell hardware (tablets and phones) ... even if they are not hardware locked like Apple .. that's the strategy...
and you dont think MS can black list a mulitple shared key ?? as for checking the purchase details.........dont you wonder why MS never asked for a copy of receipt ?? every other major brand that offers cash back or a free item with purchase of one of their products always asks for receipt........ let me assure you....MS has no intention of chasing up any upgrade promos.....
And honestly, what's there to loss? 15 euros and maybe some time. All you need to do if they blacklist you is backup stuff and install Windows 7 again.
Some Info Please my all in one touch pc is about 2yrs old that came with windows 7 i would like to go for the upgrade offer for £14.99 my friend TECHNOMAN as purchase this offer because he got a new laptop in sept so he qualified for the offer if i fill in the form online & give a different all in one touch model to mine Will i receive a email giving me the promo code & will that work on my current all in one pc when i run the windows 8 upgrade assistant Or will it check my system & not accept the promo code A friend told me at work he did it on 26/10/2012 & it work for him but some say now it will not work is that true Thanks Great Site
This is my experiences with this upgrade : i tried 3different laptops one from acer, one from hp, one from msi. Acer has bought 2011, Hp 2010, MSI 2012 (all of them bought before 1 june 2012), and acer and hp keys has passed away with any issues, msi has not but since msi is not in the list of brands i choose other and i haven't succeed with it, so i basically think that every suppliers has their OEM keys different so maybe if you choose other you are not eligible for offer. If is your all in one pc in in the lists of brands you should get promo key without any issues. It will not check your system but if your oem key does not match with supplier oem key i dont think that you will be eligible for promotion.
buksnatatai This is my experences with this upgrade : i tried 3different laptops one from acer, one from hp, one from msi. Acer has bought 2011, Hp 2010, MSI 2012 (all of them bought before 1 june 2012), and acer and hp keys has passed away with any issues, msi has not but since msi is not in the list of brands i choose other and i haven't succeed with it, so i basically think that every suppliers has their OEM keys different so maybe if you choose other you are not eligible for offer. If is your all in one pc in in the lists of brands you should get promo key without any issues. It will not check your system but if your oem key does not match with supplier oem key i dont think that you will be eligible for promotion. My All In One Is A Packard Bell Which Is Really A Acer It Does Have A Genuine oem key just when it was purchased it came with Windows 7 Home Premuim No Sp1 , that was added through windows updates the key is the same as wgen i first unboxed it so do you think it will pass
You can always try if your key does not pass at the first time it will not pass at all. So choose acer and try it.
Yeah OP alot of people did that. Its called lying, cheating.. you know things you dont want done to you but doing it to others if fine. $39 is just so much to pay
ok so if i give my details & say i brought it last month from pcworld when it ask for make & model i put acer not packard bell just want to be sure as new packard bell all in one are still on sale at argos