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Author Topic: Windows Product Keys  (Read 3113 times)
Samdy Gray
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« on: Monday, April 27, 2015, 18:24:41 »

[Mods, please remove if you don't like this kind of thing - something I came across which I thought might be useful]

After my recent PC build I was looking for a way to get a genuine copy of Windows without paying the full Microsoft price (£100 - ouch). I didn't want to use pirated or cracked copies with dodgy activation programs and stumbled across this sub-reddit where people are selling (supposedly) genuine product keys.

http://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap/

I purchased a key for Windows 8.1 Pro N for $15 (~£10) and it's activated no problem at all. There's a risk that they're freebie keys that have been re-sold but that's a risk I'm willing to take for the sake of a tenner and not having to use potentially malware laden pirate copies.
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Pete

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« Reply #1 on: Monday, April 27, 2015, 22:20:00 »

Cheers. Should be great until Microshaft get it shut down.
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jonny72

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« Reply #2 on: Monday, April 27, 2015, 22:20:34 »

Going by the links to the downloads, they're Technet keys/versions. No reason why they shouldn't activate and continue working in the future - never heard of any issues like that with them.

But you don't own a legitimate key or have a licensed version of Windows.

Cheers. Should be great until Microshaft get it shut down.

Microsoft have shut down the Technet programme, primarily as a result of people re-selling the keys.
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Gethimout

« Reply #3 on: Tuesday, April 28, 2015, 10:59:55 »

I have a cracked version of W7 professional, but ideally I would like to upgrade to 8.1 - does anyone know if windows still offer this for free?
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Flashheart

« Reply #4 on: Tuesday, April 28, 2015, 11:15:17 »

I doubt you'll be able to upgrade a cracked version.
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Samdy Gray
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« Reply #5 on: Tuesday, April 28, 2015, 11:43:16 »

AFAIK, Windows 7 to 8.1 isn't a free upgrade.

If you can wait until the summer, the upgrade to Windows 10 will be free and will apparently work on pirated versions: http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/18/8241023/windows-10-free-for-software-pirates
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Peter Venkman
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« Reply #6 on: Tuesday, April 28, 2015, 12:03:25 »

As Samdy says...Windows 7 to 8 has never been free, Windows 8 Pro can be downgraded (upgraded IMO) to Windows 7 Pro for free but not the other way.
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Only a fool does not know when to hold his tongue.
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« Reply #7 on: Tuesday, April 28, 2015, 12:04:04 »

AFAIK, Windows 7 to 8.1 isn't a free upgrade.

If you can wait until the summer, the upgrade to Windows 10 will be free and will apparently work on pirated versions: http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/18/8241023/windows-10-free-for-software-pirates

But will be subscription based like a lot of software manufacturers are going
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Gethimout

« Reply #8 on: Tuesday, April 28, 2015, 12:42:06 »

AFAIK, Windows 7 to 8.1 isn't a free upgrade.

If you can wait until the summer, the upgrade to Windows 10 will be free and will apparently work on pirated versions: http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/18/8241023/windows-10-free-for-software-pirates

Ok, thank you! I thought I read somewhere it was 8/8.1, maybe it was 10! Sorry!
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