No doubt that Microsoft has been hard at work trying to improve Windows 8 activation technology to prevent pirates from getting the operating system for free. Sadly, the software didn’t go through all the possible scenarios and they didn’t notice that a simple workaround can allow anyone to convert a pirated copy of Windows 8 to a full activated legitimate license — all free of charge!
This is the story, earlier attempts to bypass Microsoft’s activation technology involved the use of third-party Key Management Services (KMS) servers that would let the activation for up to 180 days, which means that a re-activation was necessary every six months. This simplified the use of Windows 8 for free temporarily, however now it is a bit easier.
As you know Windows Media Center is not included anymore with any version of the Windows 8. This is a piece of software that you need to purchase separately, but Microsoft trying to make good for those users that has been using MCE for a long time, started giving away a Media Center upgrade to Windows 8 Pro users, promotion that ends in January 31st, 2013. Now pirates figured out that they can use this product key to permanently activate a copy of Windows 8 that was previously temporarily activated through the KMS technique. All of this means that a downloaded pirate copy of Windows 8 and temporarily activated can be fully unlocked thanks to a flaw upgrading to the Windows Media Center. Many sites, like The Verge, have already reported that the method works and Microsoft has yet to comment in this workaround or when a fix for this flaw will be released.
Source The Verge
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].