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[CW] Microsoft ends activation 'grace period' with Windows 8

post #1 of 39
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Quote:
Microsoft has ditched the 30-day grace period, a trademark of Windows 7, in the retail copies of Windows 8, mandating that users provide a product key during setup.

The change runs counter to previous practice by the Redmond, Wash. developer. With Windows 7, for example, users could run the OS for 30 days before activating the copy by providing a legitimate key.

That "grace period" was used by some to evaluate the software prior to purchasing, to save up to $100 by using an "upgrade" license to install the OS on a newly-formatted hard drive, and to create physical partitions or virtual machines for quick testing purposes.

Because Windows 8 handles activation differently, the grace period has been eliminated.

Source
post #2 of 39
I almost never put in my license key when installing Windows 7, mostly because I know it's going to be unable to activate right away without any LAN drivers installed. So I just delay activation until it eventually takes my desktop background away, then I know it's time, lol.

I don't really like this, especially in regards to virtual machines.
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post #3 of 39
I can see the reasoning and all, but I agree with Methos. I liked using Windows in VMs on my Linux systems, and I've had issues activating Windows before, even when using the correct procedures. (This usually results in a long phone call with customer service for something stupid).

I also rebuild my computer a lot so I see a lot of phone calls to microsoft activation for resets in my future so I'm not all that enthusiastic about this change. But heck, I can live with it.
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post #4 of 39
Quote:
PC shuts down every hour.
Quote:
The version installed depends on the key provided.

Free evaluation that is not able to upgrade or is it just with these RTM preview versions?
Stupid move, won't stop pirates anyway.
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post #5 of 39
FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL

I used the upgrade method to install Vista on my main rig, because I didn't want to 'contaminate' my install with XP. I intended to do the same with Windows 8 on my laptop this time around (currently has Windows 7). Now, if this doesn't work, I'll leave myself screwed as this is an OEM version of Win7, so don't have a disc to re-install.

That said, £15 for Windows 8 is cheap. If they offered it as a £70 discount, extended to the full release as well, I'd pick up the full release to allow this. But I doubt Microsoft will do that. I'll give Windows 8 a miss if this crap is true
 
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post #6 of 39
Ugh, no. Just, no. *facepalm*
    
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post #7 of 39
So this means I can't use the 90 day trial after it ends? I mean not even if I reformat? I never bought win7 and just used the trial because a win7 license costs way too much. frown.gif I have linux and OS X M.L as second option. I bought M.L to install on my pc for only $19!!!! MS should take some lessons from apple. If they do this I'm never buying their OS.
Edited by windowszp - 8/21/12 at 10:10am
post #8 of 39
Quote:
Originally Posted by windowszp View Post

So this means I can't use the 90 day trial after it ends? I mean not even if I reformat? I never bought win7 and just used the trial because a win7 license costs way too much. frown.gif I have linux and OS X M.L as second option. I bought M.L to install on my pc for only $19!!!! MS should take some lessons from apple. If they do this I'm never buying their OS.

I'm pretty sure people like you are why they did this. People loophole the trials and extensions to work in their favor of never buying the operating system where legitimate owners of Windows like myself get the shaft, apparently.
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post #9 of 39
The grace period is removed but Windows 8 goes directly into notification mode if you install it without activating. You can use a demo key to install windows 8 without activating. Windows 8 in notification mode is fully usable but displays an "activate windows" watermark on the corner of the screen.
    
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post #10 of 39
I wonder what pirates will do about this. I bet that on the next day this thing gets released the Pirates will already have their way to sail the seas.
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