Does Windows 8 Pro RTM automatically activate?

pparks1

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So, I went into MSDN today and downloaded the Windows 8 Pro product (as well as Enterprise). For the Pro product, I get 5 retail keys with my MSDN subscription.

I know that during the installation of Windows 8, you "have" to input a key to complete the install. But I have read that it will also automatically "activate" when it boots up and connects to the Internet for the first time.

Why isn't there a few days at least between install and having to activate so that I can play, poke and test before I commit one of my retail keys to this PC?

Am I missing something?
 

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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    ABS M1 Mechanical
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    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
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    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I got Windows 8 Pro from TechNet and it activated itself. MS has tightened up on their "free" stuff. I assume each key can be used 10 times like Windows 7.

Jim :cool:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 HP 64bit, Windows 8.1 Pro w/Media Center 64BIT
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS - Home Built
    CPU
    AMD Phenom II X6 1100T
    Motherboard
    ASUS M5A99X EVO
    Memory
    Crucial Balistic DDR-3 1866 CL 9 (8 GB)
    Graphics Card(s)
    MSI R6850 Cyclone IGD5 PE
    Sound Card
    On Chip
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS VE258Q 25" LED with DVI-HDMI-DisplayPort
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    Two WD Cavier Black 2TB Sata 6gbs
    WD My Book Essential 2TB USB 3.0
    PSU
    Seasonic X650 80 Plus GOLD Modular
    Case
    Corsair 400R
    Cooling
    Antec Kuhler H2O 620, Two 120mm and four 140mm
    Keyboard
    AVS Gear Blue LED Backlight
    Mouse
    Logitech Marble Mouse USB, Logitech Precision Game Pad
    Internet Speed
    15MB
    Antivirus
    NIS, Malwarebytes Premium 2
    Other Info
    APC UPS ES 750, Netgear WNR3500L Gigabit & Wireless N Router with SamKnows Test Program,
    Motorola SB6120 Gigabit Cable Modem.
    Brother HL-2170W Laser Printer,
    Epson V300 Scanner
I found this page from MSDN which explains

Retail key: This key allows multiple activations and is used for retail builds of the product. In many cases, 10 activations are allowed per key, though often more are allowed on the same machine.

So, for example, tonight I installed (or tried to install) a 64bit version of Windows 8. Apparently it's not compatible with my hardware as the screen was garbled during the install and unusable after boot. This could have easily burned an activation before I figured out that I needed to try a 32bit version which installed just fine. Which could have burned another activation.

I liked the way 7 worked in this respect, because you had 30 days essentially to ensure you were committed and willing to burn the activation. Oh well, I guess with 10 activations or more on the same machine, I will never see an issue.

Its very common for me at work to get a question about something and want to test. So, I usually spin up a Windows Edition Enterprise and simply don't activate it. I load up whatever they needed tested, and often times within 45 minutes to 2 hours I'm done with the VM. I usually just delete the VM and at a later time when testing is required again, I just reinstall the OS. (This only takes about 10 minutes).

On the page reference above, Microsoft even says:
When activation is required, many products - including Windows and Office - allow you to install and use the product without activation for 30 days or more. If you re-image your computers frequently (i.e. once every 30 days), consider NOT activating the product. Product keys supplied as part of your MSDN subscription do not allow unlimited activations of a product.

It seems on the Windows 8 Pro front, this suggestion doesn't apply anymore from MS.
 

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
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
Windows 8 will only activate automatically if you're on a corporate network and have a KMS server, or if a valid KMS or MAK key is installed as part of the unattended process with a custom image, or if you have an OEM install from a vendor on an OEM machine (at this point, such a thing does not exist, so that leaves 1 or 2). Otherwise, just like Windows 7, it installs with a "default" product key, and will start nagging for activation within 2 hours of installation.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 4790K @ 4.5GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Maximus Hero VII
    Memory
    32GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GTX970
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio
    Hard Drives
    1x Samsung 250GB SSD
    4x WD RE 2TB (RAIDZ)
    PSU
    Corsair AX760i
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15
Cluberti,

I was talking about the Pro version, not the Enterprise version. Pro does not install with a default key, you have to put in your key during the install.

It does automatically activate if you are online. You don't get a 30 day window like you used to get.
 

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
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
I was talking about the Pro version, not the Enterprise version. Pro does not install with a default key, you have to put in your key during the install.
That's because the ISO includes two versions: "Windows 8 Core" and "Windows 8 Pro". So the install process needs a key to know what version to install.

When you integrate a "ei.cfg" file into the ISO folder "/sources" (hint: install from USB stick) then you see the key input screen - but can skipped. Windows installs then with a default key.

ei.cfg for "Windows 8 Pro":
Code:
[EditionID]
Professional

[Channel]
Retail

[VL]
0

ei.cfg for "Windows 8 Core":
Code:
[EditionID]
Core

[Channel]
Retail

[VL]
0
I can post the two default keys for "Core" and "Pro" - then the "ei.cfg" files are not necessary. They were included in an earlier version in the "product.ini" file. But I don't know if that's allowed in this forum.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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