LOOOL! Seems MS has slammed the door on "Win8 Free WMC Key Activati

By FaiKee
in Microsoft (Windows)

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FaiKee

Posted
Posted

LOOOL! Seems MS has slammed the door on "Win8 Free WMC Key Activation Flaw"

Sometime ago Neowin News reported on a win8 activation flaw, where people could get a legit copy of activated win8Pro+WMC over a not-so-legit KMS/MAK activated win8Pro; by using the free win8 WMC key:

https://www.neowin.net/news/activation-flaw-gifts-pirates-legitimate-windows-8

However, it seems MS had finally made up their minds to patch the loop-hope - today people in MDL(and as they mentioned, also on other forums) reported that, when they try to add WMC to KMS/MAK, or even Dreamspark-activated win8Pro and activate the win8Pro+WMC, it returned with a fail-error:

Activation error

Unable to activate Windows 8 Pro with Media Center. (Error code: 0xC004C4AA)

What it means and how to fix it

You might see this error after you used the Add Features to Windows 8 app to upgrade your current edition of Windows. The Windows 8 Pro with Media Center edition can only be activated on PCs that had Windows preinstalled, or Windows was purchased on the Windows website or at a retail store. To fix the problem, you need to install Windows with the product key provided to you in an email or with the DVD. If you think you have received this message in error, contact a Microsoft Customer Support representative.

Seems if people wants to add WMC; he could only do so with a pre-installed edition, or a win8Pro activated by a retail key.

Grand Master

firey

Posted
Posted

Hmm, oh well. I tried it on a VM back when it was first shown, it worked, and I haven't loaded it up since. I am personally okay with never having 8. Would be a different story if they fixed all of 7s activation tricks.

Mentor

Guth

Posted
Posted

I can only begin to imagine how many angry little freebie lovers are going to make out Microsoft is evil for this :D lol

I just did a quick google and it seems there is another method via phone for permanent activation.

So this doesn't really change much

Veteran

Wakers

Posted
Posted

I just did a quick google and it seems there is another method via phone for permanent activation.

So this doesn't really change much

That's a bit risky isn't it? Surely they'll keep a record of who's called them and used the exploit?

Mentor

Guth

Posted
Posted

That's a bit risky isn't it? Surely they'll keep a record of who's called them and used the exploit?

yeah I'd say so, I wouldnt chance it but seems to be working for loads of people.

You don't actually talk to someone, its just a machine and you type in numbers the installer gives you.

I guess you could call with skype then they wouldn't have your number.

infact dont do that, MS own skype, theyll probably still know who you are lol.

I need win8 for my desktop, as someone already said its only ?25, I'll just buy it. Its easier and less hassle and you dont need to worry about your pc suddenly stopping working.

Grand Master

Axel

Posted
Posted

yeah I'd say so, I wouldnt chance it but seems to be working for loads of people.

You don't actually talk to someone, its just a machine and you type in numbers the installer gives you.

I guess you could call with skype then they wouldn't have your number.

infact dont do that, MS own skype, theyll probably still know who you are lol.

I need win8 for my desktop, as someone already said its only ?25, I'll just buy it. Its easier and less hassle and you dont need to worry about your pc suddenly stopping working.

It may only be an upgrade, but you can use a couple tricks to install as full to avoid the whole game of re installing the old OS and then installing that over it. I frankly don't get why MS doesn't just get you to use your old product key before entering the new one.

Grand Master

MikeChipshop Member

Posted
  • Member
Posted

Win8 can be acquired legitimately for ?25, I don't see how that's asking too much in the slightest!

My thoughts exactly.

Hardly worth the bother.

Unless of course these thieving little ****s have been pirating since before XP and genuinely do not have a legit Windows key and in that case, sod 'em :p

Veteran

FaiKee

Posted
  • Author
Posted

It'll only be another matter of time before the hackers find a new hack.

LOL, it didn't take long, people found that the loop-hole has not been completely patched.

But of course, it's not allowed to discuss on warez in Neowin.

Grand Master

Nothing Here

Posted
Posted

Anyone surprised? It was only a matter of time before Microsoft would correct things.

And it's about time. But it's only time before the pirates find away around it and then MS will raise the prices on their software again and make us legit users pay for the thefts.

Neowinian

Clifford Foster

Posted
Posted

Microsoft was aware of this flaw for months but didn't care. A Technet member reported it on their forum in August 2012. I don't recall the exact link for this thread. The guy was hoping that ''either Technet or MSDN administrators would get their act together''.

Rising Star

ElliottLan

Posted
Posted

Most likely Microsoft didn't care because you can activate for free using at least three other methods (so far anyway),

If I was them I would err on the side of caution so as not to cause problems for legitimate users.

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