Windows Activation

[Magic Carpet]

Windows 8 in particular.

Anybody know the specifics? I often trigger a re-activation process when upgrading PCs, because of hardware changes. I need to know the details, thresholds and what not. Anybody experienced in this?

 

[Mushkins]

If its anything like Windows 7, it's subjective based on how large of a hardware change and how sudden.

A motherboard swap 9 times out of 10 triggers a reactivation since it considers nearly everything "new". Other than that, the OS regularly polls and assembles a hardware profile. Swapping in new ram or a video card once out of a hundred polls wont trigger a reactivation, swapping in new ram and a video card, then swapping in different new ram and a different video card probably will (say, in a test bench scenario).

It's algorithmic, there really aren't any hard and fast rules like "swapping the processor always triggers a reactivation." You might be able to get a better idea of the finer details of how its determined to weasel out some thresholds if you call MS support and have some sort of tech shop or microsoft support partner/reseller credentials to get beyond the Tier 1 guys.

I guess a good question is "why does it matter so much?" If it's a legit copy of Windows, just click the little keys and reactivate, no big deal.

 

[Bubbaleone]

Windows 8 in particular.

Anybody know the specifics? I often trigger a re-activation process when upgrading PCs, because of hardware changes. I need to know the details, thresholds and what not. Anybody experienced in this?

This excellent, straightforward, Dedoimedo article should be a "must read" for any Windows enthusiast, or any of of us that regularly work on OEM Windows 8 boxes and are asking the same questions you have: Windows 8 activation & BIOS explained

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[Mushkins]

This excellent, straightforward, Dedoimedo article should be a "must read" for any Windows enthusiast, or any of of us that regularly work on OEM Windows 8 boxes and are asking the same questions you have: Windows 8 activation & BIOS explained

.

He lost me the second he said

Finally, there's no reason why you should use Windows 8 in the first place. It's a failing system, and hardly worth considering as an upgrade for Windows 7, as it brings little, and offers no performance, stability, security, or usability advantages.

Windows 8 actually brings *all* of those advantages, its just the UI that people take issue with.

However, for most people, this should not be an issue. You will however have to spend more money to get a second copy of Windows to be able to reinstall. In this regard, Windows OEM licensing differs from Apple, because Apple does give you a physical installation media. True, it's a download, but you can burn it and use it.

This is also inherently false. You can get legit Windows 8 isos right from Microsoft at no cost, just gotta know where to download them from.

He also recommends you buy a retail copy of the OS? Why? OEM copies can be bought directly for considerably cheaper, without any of the bloatware if you really insist on buying your own copy of the OS. For 99% of use cases, the ability to transfer the license to another PC is a benefit that will never be used. That copy of the OS is only going to be used with that PC, why spend all that money on licensing you don't need? But earlier he recommends a system builder license?:

From what I have read, the upgrade version cannot be installed on a standalone box without a pre-existing Windows installation. Therefore, the more sensible thing is to buy the System Builder edition. So, this means the System Builder software.

Even this is false. You absolutely can do a clean install from Upgrade media. You change a single registry key from a 0 to a 1, then run the activation. Its the same process as it was for Windows 7.

Sorry, I know you're trying to help, but that guy is full of it.

 

[Matt1970]

I have seen XP want to re-activate at some weird times but not so much with 7.

 

[Bubbaleone]

....Sorry, I know you're trying to help, but that guy is full of it.

I'm sorry that in your zeal to find fault and nit-pick you completely overlook and misinterpret every salient fact in the article, and how those directly apply to the OP's original question.

By the the way; we would all be eternally grateful if you would post the link to the "legit Windows 8 isos right from Microsoft at no cost", and also explain in detail how the upgrade reg hack is not in direct violation of the Microsoft EULA.

.

 

[SimMike2]

Just remember if you can't activate online, give them a call. If you fail online activation even once, you need to call. OEM installs are probably the toughest to get reactivated, whereas full install and upgrades generally work if you tell them exactly how many computers the copy is on. If you are reinstalling and trying to activate, the OS is not currently on any computers until the copy you are asking about is activated.

 

[SilentRunning]

This is windows 8 we are discussing. The system builder personal use license reads like the old retail version license.

Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Anytime you transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between computers. You may transfer Get Genuine Windows software, Pro Pack or Media Center Pack software only together with the licensed computer.

http://www.windows.com/personaluselicense

 

[Subyman]

I wish it was easier. Why can't we push a button to deactivate like photoshop does? I swapped from an Ivy Bridge processor to a Sandy Bridge without changing anything else and it kicked a reactivation. Had to call them and do the automated process. At the end they asked how many computers have I used the license on and I said one. I then got a canned response saying the EULA states that I can only have it installed on one PC at a time, blah blah and then it hung up on me. I called back, had to say all the numbers again, and then I said 0 computers and it went through. So dumb. They used to let you talk to a real person.

 

[stormdlp]

Windows XP Pirated Edition

 

[bbhaag]

Windows XP Pirated Edition

SP3 right?

 

[stormdlp]

Why stop at SP2? Fo sho SP3, haha

 

[VirtualLarry]

I wish it was easier. Why can't we push a button to deactivate like photoshop does? I swapped from an Ivy Bridge processor to a Sandy Bridge without changing anything else and it kicked a reactivation. Had to call them and do the automated process. At the end they asked how many computers have I used the license on and I said one. I then got a canned response saying the EULA states that I can only have it installed on one PC at a time, blah blah and then it hung up on me. I called back, had to say all the numbers again, and then I said 0 computers and it went through. So dumb. They used to let you talk to a real person.

The MS automated line is even more useless with Win7 HP Family Pack licenses. Since there is only one key, and it can be installed on 3 PCs, I tried answering "three" to the automated activation line. Well, that fails every time. MS makes it such a PITA to utilize the licenses you've legally paid for.

 

[Mushkins]

I'm sorry that in your zeal to find fault and nit-pick you completely overlook and misinterpret every salient fact in the article, and how those directly apply to the OP's original question.

By the the way; we would all be eternally grateful if you would post the link to the "legit Windows 8 isos right from Microsoft at no cost", and also explain in detail how the upgrade reg hack is not in direct violation of the Microsoft EULA.

.

I don't intend to argue, but i'll at least answer your questions.

Legit Windows 8 ISOs right from Microsoft? If you know anyone with an MSDN/Technet/Dreamspark/MSAA subscription you can get them there. You can run this tool from Microsoft (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=262204) to download the files and choose "Install by creating Media," if you'd prefer. There's an open access folder on Digital River with Windows 7 and Vista media as well, i'm unsure if they've added Win8 to it though. If you want more you can google them.

As for the registry hack? It's absolutely not against the EULA, as long as you own the original license that qualifies you for an upgrade. I never suggested that you buy an upgrade license and use the hack in lieu of purchasing legal licensing, and neither did the guy in that link. That guy merely claimed that it cannot be done, and offered convoluted and expensive alternatives, which is not only false but misleading to the reader. I've had Microsoft customer support reps do this very registry hack for me when I had mislabeled media and the key wouldn't activate during installation. You obviously need to meet the licensing requirements to use upgrade media, and a clean install is in no way against the EULA. Hell, if you're upgrading from XP to 7 or 8 a clean install is the *only* option. Nowhere in the EULA does it state that if your hard drive dies and you need to reinstall, you have to reinstall the previous OS first and go through the upgrade procedure. You merely need to still be in possession of the previous OS license for it to be a legitimate and legal install.

So no, that guy does not address the OPs comments or concerns, he did not detail activation/deactivation triggers, a considerable amount of his technical information is misleading and/or incorrect, and he sacrificed any credibility of what was supposed to be a technical article by thickly seeding it with his own personal bias and misinformation.

I don't like Windows 8 either, but that guy is still wrong.

 

[Subyman]

Its not legit if you have to get someone that has a MSDN/Technet/Dreamspark/MSAA sub to get it for you, they aren't supposed to share their software.

 

[Mushkins]

Its not legit if you have to get someone that has a MSDN/Technet/Dreamspark/MSAA sub to get it for you, they aren't supposed to share their software.

Sharing the ISO files is fine, they are no different than putting your own copy of the disk in your DVD burner and making multiple copies. Sharing the licenses of MSDN/Technet/Dreamspark/MSAA/etc is whats not fine.

Remember, this whole discussion is already under the assumption that you already have a 100% legit license and product key. We're strictly talking about obtaining installation media, nobody is advocating breaking licensing agreements or pirating software.