Ok the actual install did not fail but i think the activation did. Here's the story: Friend activates Windows 8 through KMS. He buys a legit Windows 8 key from M$ for $10. He uses Add features to Windows to upgrade to WMC using that key. The upgrade is successful. But... It says that Windows 8 is activated but only to 30 days from the upgrade. It says that the license will expire 30 days from the upgrade date. Is there a way for him to clean install Windows 8.1, activate using his upgrade key, and have a permanent activation? I have done that with my Windows 8.1 installation so I am familiar with that process but I am unsure about the permanent activation part.
The KMS is for Business/Industrial network installs and not for the independent user. You can not buy MS product keys....MS does not sell keys. All this has me thinking that there is something shady going on here.