Windows 8 Enterprise RTM Activation

pparks1

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So, noticed that installing the Enterprise version of Windows 8 RTM it never prompts for a key. However, once installed, the client won't activate and says

Error code 0x8007232B, DNS name does not exist.

In looking at the license key, it shows a key that ends in CWCK7. (but of course, remember I didn't input a key)


It appears that enterprise is pre-baked with a KMS key, but unlike Windows 7 there is no button to "Change Product Key".

You have to get elevated command prompt and type
slmgr.vbs -ipk "Your key"

That seems a bit strange.


Where I got the above info;
Windows 8 RTM - Enterprise Activation
 
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It's not strange at all. Most enterprises create an unattended install that will automatically add the key. There is a "default" key that's used to install if one is not provided, but this key cannot be activated. Windows 7 worked the same way, if you did not enter a key at install time, it had a "default" key buried down inside, you just never really saw it.
 

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It's not strange at all. Most enterprises create an unattended install that will automatically add the key. There is a "default" key that's used to install if one is not provided, but this key cannot be activated. Windows 7 worked the same way, if you did not enter a key at install time, it had a "default" key buried down inside, you just never really saw it.

Yes, but with Windows 7, there was a button that said "Change Product key". With the RTM enterprise release from MSDN, it has a KMS style key (which is not mine) burned into it which doesn't work. And it's not obvious how you can change the key to the actual key that was provided by MSDN....that's what I find odd. Why obscure the method for changing to your own personal product key so that you can activate???
 

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Enterprise customers should know what they're doing. That's the entire point of Enterprise, it's for corporations with IT staff that are trained how to handle such things. And like I said, it's a "default" key. Windows won't function at all without a key, so in order to install it, it needs a default key, and that default key is unactivateable.
 

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    Onboard Audio
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    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
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    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
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    Antec SOLO II
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Mystere,

Ok, I'm one of the IT guys for the company that I work for. I understand how to create the autounattend.xml files that contain the legit key that my company would use for installs.

For the office that I work in, we use a standard laptop that is the same across the board. So, I get the OS installed, and apps on the box and run sysprep, and then image the machine. I lay down the image on new machines, turn them on, go through the mini-setup, etc. When I am done and ready to go, I go to Properties of my Computer, click on Activate, click on change product key, put in my MAK key for my company and it accepts the key and activates the product.

i just find it odd that with Windows 8 enterprise, that you either don't have to input the key to install or you don't have a button to set the key properly once you do boot. Going to an elevated command line to input the .vbs command just seems a bit.....unfinished. This is not how Windows 7, or Windows Vista worked.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
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    Self-Built in July 2009
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    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
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    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
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    Antec P182
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    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
So, noticed that installing the Enterprise version of Windows 8 RTM it never prompts for a key. However, once installed, the client won't activate and says

Error code 0x8007232B, DNS name does not exist.

In looking at the license key, it shows a key that ends in CWCK7. (but of course, remember I didn't input a key)


It appears that enterprise is pre-baked with a KMS key, but unlike Windows 7 there is no button to "Change Product Key".

You have to get elevated command prompt and type
slmgr.vbs -ipk "Your key".

That seems a bit strange.


Where I got the above info;
Windows 8 RTM - Enterprise Activation


Thanks

I got "Stuck" at that stage -- didn't have a clue as what to do next . I looked for Change product key where you enter your key but couldn't find it either. !!


(Suggestion to Mods == perhaps the link pparks1 has provided should be made a "Sticky" -- I'm usually quite OK with Google myself but couldn't find much to help me on this issue).


Cheers
jimbo
 

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@Mystere
Do you if this key is all that is different about the Windows 8 Enterprise trial version?

Would I be able to install the trial, and then after a couple of slmgr -rearms, could I change the key to a normal Enterprise key and activate it, once I have one?

Basically, can a trial installation be converted to a normal activated Enterprise installation, at a later date?
 
Last edited:

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Windows 8 Enterprise RTM, like many of its predecessors, is shipped with a KMS client key.

In most Enterprise environments the customers uses a KMS (key management server), so activation is pretty much automatic. Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows Server 2008 R2 are the same way. The only difference, as pointed out above, is that Windows 8 Enterprise does not offer the "Change Product Key" link on the system properties page. If you need to use a MAK key instead of a KMS client key, there's no "easy" way to change the key.

To change the key, you have to open an elevated command prompt and enter the command
slmgr.vbs -ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx (where the string of x's represents your product key).

Once you do that it should activate on its own without further intervention - unless you do not have an internet connection.
 

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@TerryE
It's not clear whether you are replying to me or not. Are you saying that it is possible to activate a Windows 8 Enterprise Trial installation with a MAK or KMS Enterprise key, during the trial period (possibly after a couple of slmgr -rearms)?
 

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Well, I hate to say it, but you CAN change the product key via the GUI - it's just not in the same exact place.

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Action Center\Windows Activation - it's there.
 

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Well, I hate to say it, but you CAN change the product key via the GUI - it's just not in the same exact place.

Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Action Center\Windows Activation - it's there.


Why do you hate to say it?

And perhaps you are looking at the Pro version. On my Enteprise version, I went to where you indicated and I have the option to Activate, I can see the current edition and the current product key....but there is NO option to change the product key that I can see.

I've heard if you run, slmgr.vbs -upk (uninstall product key), you will then get a dialog box in the GUI to change the key.
 

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Interesting - I am on Enterprise as well. I am assuming you aren't using the eval version...
Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express
 

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    Fractal Design Define R4
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    Noctua NH-D15
Not the eval version, I'm using a copy from my MSDN account.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
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    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
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    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Hi there
SLUI.EXE 3 works fine too -- run from Admin mode cmd prompt and then you get the GUI to enter the product key. You need the parameter 3 or it won't work.

Cheers
jimbo
 

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