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    Windows 8 Pro unlimited activations version and Windows 8.1

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by paradoxguy, Mar 12, 2014.

  1. paradoxguy

    paradoxguy Notebook Evangelist

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    I recently purchased a new copy of Windows 8 Pro labeled as " unlimited activations", which I understand is the corporate version that allows installation of Windows 8 Pro on multiple PCs. I purchased it off an eBay seller yesterday AM and have not yet received it, but I just learned that it allows upgrading to Windows 8.1, but the user may have to purchase a separate product key as the "unlimited" version's product key doesn't cover 8.1. To anyone that has used the "unlimited" version, were you able to upgrade to Windows 8.1 and did you have to buy a separate product key for it?

    Thanks for reading and any information
     
    paradoxguy, Mar 12, 2014
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  2. Peon

    Peon Notebook Virtuoso

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    How exactly is "unlimited activations" being labeled here? By Microsoft on the DVD jacket itself? Or by the eBay seller in the listing? If it's the latter, be careful that "unlimited activations" doesn't simply mean that you can reformat your computer and reinstall every single day if you so choose.

    For the record, there is no unlimited activations version of Windows 8 Pro in the sense that you can use the same product key on an unlimited number of computers. Even for corporations, that ended with XP. From Vista onwards, most corporations use KMS (which requires an internal activation server that controls the number of activations and requires reactivation every 180 days), and the few that don't use MAK (which requires the IT guy to manually enter the product key and activate each PC individually) which has a set number of activations.
     
    Peon, Mar 12, 2014
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  3. paradoxguy

    paradoxguy Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks for your comments. I realize now I may have been deceived and purchased an illicit or even counterfeit copy of Windows 8 Pro. Seller had 100% positive rating, but I'll have to examine package of the Windows 8 Pro kit and go from there.

    PG
     
    paradoxguy, Mar 12, 2014
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  4. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    There is Windows 8 Enterprise with volume licensing, but requires the machine to be part of a domain. In any case, they may have just meant full retail version which allows you to transport it to another machine later unlike an OEM that is tied to a specific machine.
     
    HTWingNut, Mar 12, 2014
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