It seems to come down to the date when you downloaded the Upgrade-ISO as well, as the ISO's have different MD5's, but I didn't check further, what is the difference between the ISO's, but it seems so, that the early downloaded ISO's are able to be used for a real clean installation, but the later downloaded ones cause you the problems, like with the activation etc. It seems to be not upgrade-key related, as I bought the key for my wife on the 05.01.2013 and my own (first) one at the 26.10.2012.
I went the way over "Custom Build", as I only have 1 PC where I bought the Key for $69.99 as it's an old Dell for testing parts. My Main-PC and my Wife's-PC (which was partly my old Main-PC) are both Custom-Builds and we didn't have to enter the Windows-7-Serials.
The whole validation to skip entering a Product Key does appear to be random. I have not really tested but I am of the opinion that if the machine you apply from has enough OEM identifying information and the User enters data that appears to match a valid sale then the Product Key request is skipped and the Promo Code is granted. What I have noted that in most cases the hardware you are applying from at least needs a NON-Zero UUID. This would need to be read without administrative Escalation: Code: wmic csproduct get UUID or for a more general look @ your hardware Code: wmic csproduct list The database the MS compares your entered data against will probably be Regional based on AVAILABLE information supplied by the OEM for that region.
Hi Just a nob question if you purchase the retail upgrade DVD windows 8 pro,there is no time limit when you must install & activate its only the Windows 8 offer & WMC keys that have a time limit I know the question silly but a friend wants to be sure
is the key just any windows 7 key in which case it does not quilify or os it from a system bought within the qualifying period - if so the checker is wrong - not sure what you can do if thats the case as it should work if its just a win7 key then you still qualify for the upgrade at a slightly higher price
its £15 in the UK and its worth that - i have one at that price - its £25 without the offer and i will be buying one of those before the 1st - i dont need it at this moment but against the new pricing its got to be worth having
Me Too! I'm trying to get a Box lit up on Win 8 today => and I can't spring for $40 just to try it out.