Windows Product Keys

[Samdy Gray]

[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.

[Pete]

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

[jonny72]

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.

[Gethimout]

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?

[Flashheart]

I doubt you'll be able to upgrade a cracked version.

[Samdy Gray]

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

[Peter Venkman]

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.

[Power to people]

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

[Gethimout]

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!