ka-la Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 For all neowin readers, can one help me sort this thing out, I have tried searching the web for a solution to my problem, but haven't found much yet. So Microsoft is offering a 90 day trial for an evalutation version of Windows 8. My question is regarding to the EULA of Enterprise Eval: after 90 day perioid, is one legally allowed to reinstall the Windows for another 90 days, and so on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim K Global Moderator Posted March 7, 2013 Global Moderator Share Posted March 7, 2013 Seeing that the license key is embedded into the Win 8 download...and therefore is part of your activation process...therefore I highly doubt Microsoft would let you activate the same product key back to back on a 90 day evaluation. You could probably download another eval ... but come on ... really? Buy it or don't after the evaluation. After Aug 15 it will not matter anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slumdogtrillionaire Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 dunno my win8 ent eval is working fine even after expiry. it just shows its expired but works fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ka-la Posted March 7, 2013 Author Share Posted March 7, 2013 In fact it can be reactivated, but is it legal, that is the question. I wasnt aware of the 15 august ending on the Evaluation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim K Global Moderator Posted March 7, 2013 Global Moderator Share Posted March 7, 2013 You must complete activation before August 15, 2013, to use this evaluation. Once you activate, you have up to 90 days to use the software. You can track the amount of time you have left by referring to the "watermark" in the lower right corner of the Windows desktop. If you fail to activate this evaluation after installation, or if your evaluation period expires, the desktop background will turn black, you will see a persistent desktop notification indicating that the system is not genuine, and the PC will shut down every hour losing unsaved work. Following the evaluation period, you will need to replace the operating system on your test computer and reinstall all your programs and data. It is not possible to upgrade the evaluation to a licensed working version of Windows 8. A clean installation is required. COKid 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Observer Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Could you do a fresh install, install all needed software, and then do a sysprep and make a image. Then after 90 days reapply the image. Just have all docs on a different location? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techbeck Posted March 7, 2013 Share Posted March 7, 2013 Seeing that the license key is embedded into the Win 8 download...and therefore is part of your activation process...therefore I highly doubt Microsoft would let you activate the same product key back to back on a 90 day evaluation. You could probably download another eval ... but come on ... really? Buy it or don't after the evaluation. After Aug 15 it will not matter anyway. I have used the same 90 day eval download a few times and activated no problem. No need to download again. Just reinstall using the same ISO DL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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