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Windows 8 Pro is Now Free (by Mistake)

By - Source: WindowsWave | B 69 comments

Exploit allows one to download Windows 8 keys directly from Microsoft.

An exploit on Microsoft's download page allows users to obtain a free copy of Windows 8 Pro.

Users who attempt the download for the Microsoft Windows Media Center upgrade, which ends on January 31, will consequently see Windows 8 Pro being permanently activated.

For pirates, the exploit is especially useful as it provides an alternative to the company's Key Management Service (KMS). The KMS, which is built for enterprise users, delivers Windows 8 through a KMS host and KMS client, leading to the new operating system becoming fully usable for 180 days before activation.

As opposed to having to input an activation key, businesses can activate Windows copies on a local network. However, setting up pirate KMS servers will see keys traded across the web for free.

That said, Windows is required to be reactivated every 180 days should you use this method. Each individual PC needs a unique key, so multiple users won't be able to activate the OS through the same key.

Reddit user noveleven explained why the method in question is successful:

When you activate Windows via KMS, in the activation window it says "Windows is activated until..." and a date (so if you were to install it today, it would say it's activated until May). After installing the upgrade, the window just says "Windows was activated on..." and the date of activation. That means the activation is permanent. When you install the upgrade key, that replaces the existing product key; only the new upgrade key is used for future checks. Windows won't check the key you used to install because it no longer has it.
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Top Comments
  • 35 Hide
    inerax , November 21, 2012 7:23 PM
    Windows 7 is still an amazing OS. Why even "upgrade" for free?
  • 29 Hide
    yorgos , November 21, 2012 7:34 PM
    free?
    still not tempting enough
  • 28 Hide
    jaquith , November 21, 2012 7:31 PM
    For FREE I'm 'buying' it ;) 
    Quote:
    For pirates, the exploit is especially useful as it provides an alternative to the company's Key Management Service (KMS).

    Brilliant TH for publishing this useful 'How To' pirate information. Job well done!!!
Other Comments
    Display all 69 comments.
  • 9 Hide
    noblerabbit , November 21, 2012 7:10 PM
    oh Microsoft, you couldn't even give your POS (piece of Software) away for free to me.

    Coaster of the millenium, right up there with Diablo 3, may you both find love in heaven together somehow.
  • 22 Hide
    azathoth , November 21, 2012 7:10 PM
    Whoops!
  • 0 Hide
    joytech22 , November 21, 2012 7:17 PM
    I got my key ages ago for the media center upgrade. Maybe I finally have a reason to download the windows 8 ISO and install it into my jukebox (with a touch screen!) LMao
  • 35 Hide
    inerax , November 21, 2012 7:23 PM
    Windows 7 is still an amazing OS. Why even "upgrade" for free?
  • -3 Hide
    Cryio , November 21, 2012 7:25 PM
    ineraxWindows 7 is still an amazing OS. Why even "upgrade" for free?


    Mostly because of the boot-times and the new focus on the latest software. Windows 8 will be pushed really hard now so....

    Go with the flow? I for one like it :D 
  • 28 Hide
    jaquith , November 21, 2012 7:31 PM
    For FREE I'm 'buying' it ;) 
    Quote:
    For pirates, the exploit is especially useful as it provides an alternative to the company's Key Management Service (KMS).

    Brilliant TH for publishing this useful 'How To' pirate information. Job well done!!!
  • 29 Hide
    yorgos , November 21, 2012 7:34 PM
    free?
    still not tempting enough
  • 13 Hide
    shahrooz , November 21, 2012 7:40 PM
    CryioMostly because of the boot-times and the new focus on the latest software. Windows 8 will be pushed really hard now so....Go with the flow? I for one like it

    the boot time is awesome even on HDD
  • 10 Hide
    Anomalyx , November 21, 2012 8:04 PM
    Everyone touting boot times... you know it never fully shuts down, right? Windows 8 hibernates instead, unless you manually disable "hybrid boot" in the power settings. Disable that, then compare boot times. They're hardly different.
  • 15 Hide
    noblerabbit , November 21, 2012 8:07 PM
    I don't see the need to decrease my 9 second boot time off my SSD using windows 7, to have a frustrating obstacle like experience with Windows 8 to save maybe another second off that boot time. lol, I actually think Win 7 boots crazy fast, my coffee isn't even nearly ready.
  • -3 Hide
    syrious1 , November 21, 2012 8:36 PM
    Quote:
    Everyone touting boot times... you know it never fully shuts down, right? Windows 8 hibernates instead, unless you manually disable "hybrid boot" in the power settings. Disable that, then compare boot times. They're hardly different.


    Not sure if true or just a ploy to make me buy an SSD
  • 4 Hide
    syrious1 , November 21, 2012 8:37 PM
    Quote:
    what Catherine explained I didn't know that some people can get paid $5741 in one month on the computer. did you read this web page, http://xurl.es/uwb72


    Shut up Chuck.
  • 3 Hide
    Gundam288 , November 21, 2012 8:41 PM
    anyone else notice that Zak Islam, who normal only dose articles involving Apple is now doing articles about Windows 8?

    That scares me on what windows 9 is going to be.
  • 3 Hide
    lp231 , November 21, 2012 8:44 PM
    Not sure if the Reddit user is legit or not because
    1. If install from disc, there is no skip product key button. If product key is not typed in then Win8 will not continue
    2. There is no grace period like the 30 days like on Win7. Once product key is typed in Win8 automatically activates
    3. For the free promotion key on MS site, it's just for adding Media Center.
    I bought Win8 and got that free MCE key from that site.
    I copied Win8 from disc to USB and added a file so I can skip the product key.
    When I applied the MCE key in "Add Windows Features", it doesn't work. It says it requires the original product key first. So I did that activate and then free MCE key works.
  • 1 Hide
    kingnoobe , November 21, 2012 8:48 PM
    LOL@ people commenting on boot times.. Really windows 8 would do nothing for me. What cut down 10 seconds on boot times once a week (if that).. Windows 8 isn't even worth updating to for free. I'll stick with 7 until probably windows 9/10. When it might actually be worth upgrading to.
  • 4 Hide
    HDmac , November 21, 2012 9:12 PM
    Its free, yet I still don't want it. I don't know how much but Microsoft would have to pay me a considerable amount to use it.
  • 3 Hide
    abbadon_34 , November 21, 2012 9:20 PM
    great you know many people are going to come to Toms asking for Win 8 keys, legitimately?
  • 3 Hide
    Anonymous , November 21, 2012 9:41 PM
    can i haz Güindows keyz?
  • 11 Hide
    STravis , November 21, 2012 10:02 PM
    AnomalyxEveryone touting boot times... you know it never fully shuts down, right? Windows 8 hibernates instead, unless you manually disable "hybrid boot" in the power settings. Disable that, then compare boot times. They're hardly different.


    The above info saddens me because I assume that the commenters on Tom's are tech savvy, but you are pointing out that they're a bunch of buffoons that don't even know that their machine is going into hibernation...
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