Microsoft is indirectly giving out Windows 8 for free

[Eon-Rider]

A new security hole has been discovered in Microsoft’s product
activation process that allows pirates to get a free legitimate
activation of Windows 8 using the current Windows Media Center upgrade
promotion.

I personally don't need it but I'm sure more than a few of you will take advantage of this. Just remember, pirating is bad.

Source

 

[Guild McCommunist]

It'll probably be patched pretty soon but I won't bother updating yet. It's only like $15 to upgrade last time I checked so, if/when I decide to upgrade, I think I can shell out the cash.

 

[ThatDudeWithTheFood]

Yeah I got a key I didn't think it would work but it does.
You still have to pirate the actual installer though.

 

[RupeeClock]

Microsoft tend to have plenty of ways to obtain Windows legally for much cheaper, one way or another be it upgrade edition or academic promotions.

Maybe they WON'T patch this to encourage the switch from piracy.

Yeah I got a key I didn't think it would work but it does.
You still have to pirate the actual installer though.

As far as I know, the installer has always been completely free. You pay for the license, not validating a license on installation gimps the OS or at least lets you use it for a month or so before you MUST valildate it.

 

[Joe88]

Maybe they WON'T patch this to encourage the switch from piracy.

You obviously don't know Microsoft.

 

[Lacius]

As far as I'm aware, there's no real way to patch against the use of the KMS activation methods briefly mentioned in the article, which means there's nothing stopping people from activating their legitimate WMC keys.

 

[ThatDudeWithTheFood]

Microsoft tend to have plenty of ways to obtain Windows legally for much cheaper, one way or another be it upgrade edition or academic promotions.

Maybe they WON'T patch this to encourage the switch from piracy.



As far as I know, the installer has always been completely free. You pay for the license, not validating a license on installation gimps the OS or at least lets you use it for a month or so before you MUST valildate it.

But this isn't even cheaper its completely free.

 

[Gahars]

Let the online looting begin!

 

[jalaneme]

I wouldn't touch this POS for free, even if microsoft gave me a free copy directly.

 

[Arras]

I wouldn't touch this POS for free, even if microsoft gave me a free copy directly.

I walked in this thread expecting this exact response from at least one person. I was right. Seriously though it's not a "piece of shit". You may not like the changes, that's your right. But saying it's "just a piece of shit" is just being ignorant. There's various changes for the better that I CBA to search for. I posted a bunch in some other W8 thread though.

 

[Gahars]

I walked in this thread expecting this exact response from at least one person. I was right. Seriously though it's not a "piece of shit". You may not like the changes, that's your right. But saying it's "just a piece of shit" is just being ignorant. There's various changes for the better that I CBA to search for. I posted a bunch in some other W8 thread though.

Sadly, there's no escaping the Windows H8.

 

[Taleweaver]

But this isn't even cheaper its completely free.

Yeah, I was thinking that as well. Anything cheaper and microsoft is going to pay people to use their operating system.

 

[shakirmoledina]

windows 8, always wins
whether it be by fair play or fare play

 

[Qtis]

"It doesn't matter if people pirate software, as long as it's made by us (a.k.a. Microsoft)". All in all, having a legit version of Windows has always been a lot easier than a pirated version, especially when the AP measures come to be more annoying (in other words, you have to do something to make them go away). Might even upgrade to Win8 on my bootcamp partition if I still need Windows after the SSD upgrade I've planned during Christmas.

 

[RodrigoDavy]

Microsoft doesn't care that much about security really. I mean, the company wins with every PC bundled with Windows. If people choose to pirate it, at least they are still using Windows and will refuse any alternative like Linux, BSD, etc... Of course, if a company starts pirating Windows there can be lawsuits.

 

[kirbymaster101]

Im one of those users that used the KMS activation method and then upgraded to Windows 8 Prowmc. Permanent activation ftw. Too be honest with everyone. This is Microsoft we're talking about. I mean won't eventually someone will release a loader/activator like how Windows Vista and Windows 7 have one?
This is pretty old news.

 

[JoostinOnline]

Who wants Windows 8 anyway?

 

[YayMii]

Well I used the MAK method to permanently activate both Windows 8 WMC and Office 2013 RTM (and Office is linked to my email so I can activate it on other PCs without a product key). And I thought they said they were going to make it harder to crack Windows 8's activation.

 

[MelodieOctavia]

Microsoft would need top pay me to have a legitimate version of Windows 8 on my PC.

 

[Gh0sti]

ugh everyone hates it, get over it; the OS is good so why can't you people accept change. The OS works and it's better than 7, moreover your start menu is there, it's just a GUI now.

sheesh babies