Loophole enables anyone to get a Windows 8 license for free

[SKORPI0]

Link ^_^

The goof centers around the Windows Media Center upgrade that’s being for free offered by Microsoft themselves until January 31 next year. Specifically, when entering the add-on key, Microsoft’s Key Management System will let you fully activate your copy of Windows 8 without running a validity check for the product key of the underlying system the Media Center add-on is being installed on.

To get a free Media Center key all users need to do is request it from Microsoft’s website using any email address. Once the code is in your inbox, do a search for “Add features to Windows 8” under Settings, click on it and enter the product key. Media Center will download and install, and after your system comes back from a reboot, you’ll be able to use the same upgrade product key to activate Windows.
With this your copy of Windows 8 will become fully active and 'legitimate', which you can verify in the activation window where it should read “Windows is activated” instead of “Windows is activated until…”.
The method has been confirmed to work by several news outlets. I tried it as well but upon requesting a Media Center key the site responded it will be emailed to me “within 24 hours” -- I can’t tell if the wait period is standard or if Microsoft is moving to patch the flaw by implementing a check for the underlying system.

Anyone encounter/try this if it works? Not advocating piracy, but curious how/why Microsoft didn't test this before release. Got mine through MS for $14.99 via work email.

Typically we'd lock a thread like this under our anti-piracy rules, but I can't very well block this when it's on most major tech news sites. With that said, the line is being drawn at these articles. We'd appreciate it if you guys would not post anything more specific than the article.

-Thanks
ViRGE

 

[lxskllr]

That's one way to get people using Win8 :^D

I'd try it, but I'm not really interested in Windows. Maybe for kicks, I'll try it in a vm.

 

[lopri]

Too transparent. :biggrin:

 

[Evander]

Even if it would work, I hope nobody here tries it. You'd be totally ripping off Microsoft

 

[abaez]

I don't think anyone who does this would care. You'd have to install win8 using fake pirate activation servers in the first place to even get to the point where you can enter the media center key.

 

[Ferzerp]

Just because it activates doesn't mean you have a legitimate copy.

Before activation, was it ok to buy once, and install it on as many systems as you wanted?

It's the same thing. Just because licensing isn't technically enforced, doesn't mean you have a "free license". In fact you have no license. You have an activated, but unlicensed copy.

 

[ArizonaSteve]

Why bother? Windows 7 is better.

 

[smakme7757]

Yea i saw the, but at only $50 for an upgrade lisense i don't really see the need.

 

[pmv]

Hmmm, tempting - but price needs to drop a bit further than that before I'll accept Metro.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

A bit off topic, but do I need two different W8MC keys if I plan to install on 2 different pcs running w8 (ie laptop & main rig)? I req. one for my main rig and not sure if I need a new one for the laptop.

 

[ViRGE]

A bit off topic, but do I need two different W8MC keys if I plan to install on 2 different pcs running w8 (ie laptop & main rig)? I req. one for my main rig and not sure if I need a new one for the laptop.

Yes, you will.

 

[VirtualLarry]

As this would only help spread the scourge that is Windows 8, I have to say this is bad news.

 

[hhhd1]

As this would only help spread the scourge that is Windows 8, I have to say this is bad news.

I think MS prefers that windows 8 be pirated and used illegally than not being used at all.