win8 Install key outside of OOBE?

[TheLegendOfMart]

Trying to preconfigure a Windows Server 2012 box for a friend and I want to keep the OOBE experience intact but not ask for a product key.

I tried the SHIFT+CTRL+F3 key combo to enter sysprep auditing mode and tried installing the key using SLMGR.VBS, it said successful but after rebooting back to OOBE the first thing it asks for is the product key for activation.

How do I stop it asking, I want my friend to activate it once he creates an admin account.

[TheLegendOfMart]

I activated Windows, why is it still asking for the product key at the OOBE first boot??????