Question about the official product key code for Windows 8

Hi Guys!

• Can anyone tell me if the Windows 8 Pro FULL retail double disk version has a cardboard, or plastic credit card sized product key card?

• Should the product code be physically printed on the white key card itself, or should it be attached to the card with a sticker of some kind?

• If it is attached to the card with a sticker, what colour should the sticker be?

I bought a second hand retail version of Windows 8 Pro off ebay which was advertised as new, but when i opened it I cant see any (credit card sized) product key card that looks like the ones I've seen in all the other un-boxings on Youtube.


Instead I received an official box, which looks to have x2 official DVD's in white sleeves marked 32 & 64, and there's a welcome card which has an orange product key stuck on it, just above the blue welcome symbol.

One of these stickers:




The above sticker that i received is poorly printed, a bit blurry, poorly cut and is a different shade to my original official clean cut Microsoft one which I got when I purchased my old Windows 7 Pro version new.



To make matters worst, when I try to run the full installation on freshly formatted drive from the supplied DVD's using his supplied product code, I'm receiving a messages telling me the following:





The ebay seller made me aware that he had in fact tried the software on his computer and just couldn't get on with it, and claimed to have uninstalled which is why he stuck it on ebay.


He did mention that I would probably have to activate it via telephone with Microsoft, which is fine. I kind of expected that as I've always had to do that with my own original Full Retail version of Windows 7 when I did upgrades or moved it from one computer to the next.




I'm assuming this guy is trying to pull a fast one by supplying a dodgy product key with an official box and DVD's, because as far as i'm aware (unless something has changed), and regardless of any activation issue or required telephone calls, these DVD's should always install with an official product key supplied with the box, shouldn't they?


Hopefully one of you guys can clarify my questions, so I can then fire this back to ebay to get my refund and apply his feedback accordingly.



FYI, the version was the FULL Retail Version, Not Upgrade Version!

What to look for
How to Tell ? Software

As far as I know there are 2 types of boxed versions of Windows 8 available to consumers- the Upgrade and the OEM/System Builder versions. (Not counting the Pro Pack which upgrades you from one edition of Windows 8 to another edition of Windows 8.)

However when you look at boxed Upgrade version it isn't at all obvious that it's the upgrade... is it there any writing on the box? What does it say?

DavidY said:

As far as I know there are 2 types of boxed versions of Windows 8 available to consumers- the Upgrade and the OEM/System Builder versions. (Not counting the Pro Pack which upgrades you from one edition of Windows 8 to another edition of Windows 8.)

However when you look at boxed Upgrade version it isn't at all obvious that it's the upgrade... is it there any writing on the box? What does it say?

Click to expand...

No there isn't any writing that suggests either way, which is a real poor show on Microsoft's part. I have a suspicion that he has sold me an upgrade version as a Full Retail, Full installation Version.

I think im going to return it, due to the fact that the section of the box where the product key card is meant to go has been cut out, he never supplied me the official retail key card and the due to the fact that he's a sneaky conniving SOB.

Thanks for your responses any way guys...much lurv!! :thumb:

Is there a barcode on the box?

If it helps, here is some of the writing on the side of an Upgrade box (I'm in the UK).

Upgrading to Windows 8 Pro
If your PC is running Windows 7, your files, programs and settings will transfer easily to Windows 8 Pro. If your PC is running Windows XP or Vista, you will need to reinstall your programs. Some features such as touch may require a new PC. To check compatibility, visit your PC manufacturer's website, run Upgrade Assistant at System requirements - Microsoft Windows, and see bottom for details

Click to expand...