"Your" Product Keys Aren't Unique...

[Breakthrough]

I'm just curious as to why Microsoft isn't providing unique product keys as per each user.

I have obtained four keys through Microsoft's Tech-Net, only to find that every single one I type into Google is already being used by some kind of website (both legitimate and illigitemate).

I'm just wondering how this will affect the Windows Genuine Validation/Windows Activation?

[Krigo]

Hell, maybe it's because y'know the site hasn't properly launched? I have some keys which aren't used on sites, however they're invalid by the launcher! I luckly ended up using a friends' spare vista beta key(RC works too) so if you have either, try them.

[ßéár]

I actived with on of the x64 keys, just fine. (Didn't know it wasn't unique, till a few minutes ago)

[Snakehn]

if is a free beta, i think is a smart decision from them to publish keys that can be activated by many users, as long as it works for you, i don't see the problem, why create 2.5 million of unique keys for a free beta?

[jelli]

I have to say it is rather interesting. It would seem that my x64 Key is not recognised in Google at the moment, however my x86 key is found all over the net. Typed it into Google and found a page that was just line after line of Windows 7 Beta 1 Keys.

Odd.

[ßéár]

I have to say it is rather interesting. It would seem that my x64 Key is not recognised in Google at the moment, however my x86 key is found all over the net. Typed it into Google and found a page that was just line after line of Windows 7 Beta 1 Keys.

Odd.

I've noticed that there only like 3 or 4 x64 on the web atm... (One of my 64 keys didn't show up) but that will change...

Offtopic here but I love your sig, I'm watching that movie right now xD

[Sandor]

seems they've gone to a generic set of keys and are letting anyone use it.

[removed] is a 32bit one for anyone still having problems getting a key. this key is found all over the web and i got it from the official site so it aint hacked or anything.

Edited January 10, 2009 by Eric

[Breakthrough]

seems they've gone to a generic set of keys and are letting anyone use it.

[removed] is a 32bit one for anyone still having problems getting a key. this key is found all over the web and i got it from the official site so it aint hacked or anything.

Funny, that was EXACTLY the same as one of mine.

Is anyone else having problems activating? Mine keeps timing out (I can't imagine that the bandwidth of people activating Windows every second is equal to the amount downloading it...).

[StandingInAlley]

I wonder the one's given by Microsoft to the official testers are unique

[Roger H. Veteran]

apparently these are all the keys they've given out:

[removed]

So not unique at all. Doesn't matter one bit though, they will activate just fine.

[SMELTN]

and it could be that those were the keys that were released by MS before the servers crashed and these were held in limbo.. OR it could be that MS is only releasing THESE keys... I mean it still uses your information to submit bugs and such, so its fine for a beta

[heavensblade23]

apparently these are all the keys they've given out:

From the x64 link: (64bit)

[removed]

I have an x64 key that starts with 894M9. Apparently some people are getting seemingly unique keys and others are getting dupes. Haven't heard of anyone having problems activating a key, dupe or not.

[Steven77]

Still, why were keys that were gotten yesterday unique? The ones i got yesterday have not been posted and are not on google.

[Kenji]

and it could be that those were the keys that were released by MS before the servers crashed and these were held in limbo.. OR it could be that MS is only releasing THESE keys... I mean it still uses your information to submit bugs and such, so its fine for a beta

Well, my key that I activated starts with W4BC7.. i think somethings up. :s

[Eric Veteran]

I have an x64 key that starts with 894M9. Apparently some people are getting seemingly unique keys and others are getting dupes. Haven't heard of anyone having problems activating a key, dupe or not.

My x64 key starts with TR878, so it's not on that list either. :)

[em-es]

I am still waiting for the ISO, but the keys are the same posted above. Will I experience problems when I will activate my beta?

[Roger H. Veteran]

I am still waiting for the ISO, but the keys are the same posted above. Will I experience problems when I will activate my beta?

No you should have no problem, the key will activate just fine. I just tested few of them and others have so those should be unlimited activations.

[Jak S.]

No you should have no problem, the key will activate just fine. I just tested few of them and others have so those should be unlimited activations.

I've had no problems activating any of the keys so far.

Got 12 unique keys here, and guess what, 10 the same as everyone getting today, and the other 2 are from yesterday. They've clearly given up on the 2.5 million keys idea, simply not expecting the demand!

[FISKER_Q]

Yeah i think they're just rotating a couple of keys, while those yesterday were truely unique.

[+Troll Subscriber¹]

Mine was timing out but I just used phone activation and it worked fine...

[Roger H. Veteran]

Mine was timing out but I just used phone activation and it worked fine...

i had to do it about 3-4 times before it activated. It timed out a bunch of times before i got it.

[em-es]

No you should have no problem, the key will activate just fine. I just tested few of them and others have so those should be unlimited activations.

Thanks

[RoyalShape]

I'm quite surprised how fast google indexes new pages... :o

[ThreeLies]

Mine was timing out but I just used phone activation and it worked fine...

So your saying you were able to successfully get a key from using their phone activation.

If so get ready for phone flood now from everyone.

[mikemc2k]

I Got a key yesterday and I googled it and is unique..........no one has it yet???