Submitted by Deepesh Agarwal on Sat, 11/17/2012 - 01:48
Microsoft offered super cheap Windows 8 Pro upgrade keys and users have been asking whether they can perform a clean installation and activate Windows 8 using the upgrade product key, and the answer is "No" and "Yes" !!
Confused!, well Microsoft will detect whether you upgraded or clean installed and block users from activating using the upgrade product key showing the error as below. But, users can still get the product key working by doing a little registry hack which will enable them to activate - this is not fair (or legal I guess).
Invalid Product Key
"The following failure occurred while trying to use the product key:
Code:
0xC004F061Description:
The Software Licensing Service determined that this specified product key can only be used for upgrading, not for clean installs.
Comments
While your experience is
While your experience is true, you can easily bypass this:
1) Open regedit and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/
2) Change MediaBootInstall from 1 to 0, then close regedit.
3) Open command prompt by searching for "cmd", right click on it and select "Run as Administrator"
4) Type "slmgr /rearm" on the command line (without quotes) and hit enter.
5) Reboot or try to reactivate.
Credit: a google search.
A clean install will alway be
A clean install will alway be better than an upgrade. Microsoft should allow us to do both and if we want to do a clean install, enter both the Windows 7 key and Windows 8 upgrade key, during the installation process of windows 8.
lost copy
Recently I purchased a copy of Windows 8 on the Internet,and due to problems this end I have lost Windows8.(trying to install againe it is to cost me more money)the code I was sent is as follows --ADMIN EDIT PLS SEE COMMENT BELOW-- you can chequ this code and you will find it was paid for..I was using Windows XP Pro at the time,coded --ADMIN EDIT PLS SEE COMMENT BELOW--..Can you help me with this problem. Thankyou..Norman Sweetman
Hi Norm...
First of all I would suggest you dont post your genuine keys on public forums like this which will enable others to copy your legit keys and misuse them - I had removed keys from you post above. For you concern I would suggest you call Microsoft Windows Activation Customer Care - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929 and ask for assistance.
@Anonumous5566: What you said
@Anonumous5566:
What you said is not acceptable according to EULA.
According to EULA, using the previous version of the OS(which is used for upgrade is not acceptable). So we must not be using the Previous version(WinXP/Vista/Win7) in anyway. And how can we use the previous version's key/install for upgrade?
There are already some issues with EULA and the EULA is not clearly explained/created.
So Microsoft must create a registration page(just with their contact info, Name and Windows 8 key) for the retail upgrade users. Then they must give a unique ID for each registration.
The users must be allowed only for clean install and not using the previous version for upgrade. This will make some relief for users.
Then whenever the user ask for activation, the Unique ID given to them along with PID must be given to the support person during Phone Activation. This will make the activation easier.
Note:Those who have Genuine Upgraded key will have only gone through the Previous Version. There is no use of checking them with their previous version's key.
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