If noone can activate it, and my genuine Windows 8 Pro key won't activate it, then: 1) What's the use of it? 2) Did anyone figure out a way to activate it with a Pro Key?
You are not kidding right? The "N" Editioni is there since XP was introduced. "N" edition is for European users where it won't include Windows Media Player built-in, i don't know the exact purpose of "N" Edition. But Windows 8.1 N Edition requires it's own legit key. And i guess the cracks / loaders don't work with it. I don't know about it whether it works or not.
N versions are the result of a EU lawsuit where MS agreed to ship separate SKUs for versions without media playing/recording programs. In Windows 8.x this means no Windows media player, media center upgrade, camera app, xbox music/video players, etc. It's actually a MUCH better version of Windows to use if you're not a fan of bloat. Then again, you wouldn't use Win8.x if you didn't mind a certain amount of bloat.
I'd like to ask, the N editions include the codecs or not? I mean, I know they don't include Media Player, but I'm asking only about the video/audio ( H.264/AVC, DMO etc ) Codecs. If the Codecs are included, then N editions are even better, less bloated since I never use Windows Media Player.
Thank you, guys! As it seems 'N' editions aren't for me then. I like the 'No media player' case, but I don't like the 'no media codecs either'.
It cannot play DVD's either, seems that if you wanted fully functional media player you'd need a 3rd part app anyways. MS charges for that added benefit I believe- VLC ftw.
That's Marketing Strategy Of MS Because They Don't include Media-Player in N-Version Price of N-Version slightly Less Designed For Costumer's who cant Afford Windows, like Me MS Hoping At-least At Low Price They Will Buy Windows.
Actually I do not use N version but I am happy that it does. On technet, you get keys for both regular and N versions. So the N version is a bonus and I can install media feature pack to get it up.
A bit off topic perhaps, but Windows 8.1 core is supposed to contain every version of Windows 8.1 (pro and WMC), using dism to upgrade. Does it also contain the the N-versions (N and Pro N)? Using "Dism /Image:C:\Mount /Get-CurrentEdition /Get-TargetEditions" on a install.wim containing 8.1 Pro (index 1) and Windows 8.1 standard (index 2), the only possible upgrades listed, when mounting index 2, are Professional and ProfessionalWMC...? How do I "unlock" the N-versions, if possible? If it is not, I guess the answer is to obtain a N-version to begin with... Also I get an error related to WSACancelBlockingCall (even more off topic -I know) -what's the cause of this?