Windows 8.1: "This key didn't work" on activation

[Ho3n3r]

Anyway, back on topic. I have no proof that he is doing anything illegally, except the assumption that the prices that are too low guarantees something fishy.

I asked him straight whether it's Technet/MSDN keys, and he says that they don't come with stickers with the keys on. That's all I need to know for now.

 

[CataclysmZA]

That's interesting. So is it contravening any kind of law if it is indeed true what you say, or is it just "frowned upon"?

Bitfuture and his supplier could both be sued by Microsoft for breaking the EULA if they are indeed reselling Dreamspark/Bizspark/MSDN keys, but I did see his reply before the deletion that they weren't. That's why I've added the additional possibility that these are upgrade keys, or possibly license keys for a country which has Windows available for dirt-cheap. No laws are being broken here.

One deal that I have seen before online on reddit is where the reseller provided a picture of the keycard, but shopped in the license key to make it look authentic. The keys are always emailed to you, so you never receive the actual keycard.

 

[Ho3n3r]

Bitfuture and his supplier could both be sued by Microsoft for breaking the EULA if they are indeed reselling Dreamspark/Bizspark/MSDN keys, but I did see his reply before the deletion that they weren't. That's why I've added the additional possibility that these are upgrade keys, or possibly license keys for a country which has Windows available for dirt-cheap. No laws are being broken here.

Would I be able to use an upgrade key on a clean installation, as I did?

I sincerely hope it's the latter, but what are the chances that the genuine source will be revealed?

 

[AthenianOwl]

MDSN keys, very likely. Each key can be used on up to 10 PCs. I reckon the key you bought is being shared with Bitfuture's other buyers. You could be screwed if the 10th guy gets caught by Microsoft when trying to activate a copy of Win8.1 on an additional PC and as a result, Microsoft blacklists the key. Look up the differences between MSDN and Retail keys.

 

[CataclysmZA]

Would I be able to use an upgrade key on a clean installation, as I did?

I sincerely hope it's the latter, but what are the chances that the genuine source will be revealed?

You can, there are flags you can turn on and off in the install files that determine what pool of keys to activate Windows from. Its part of the process of setting up one of those all-in-one discs that I keep handy. I have one for repairs where all the flags are turned off, so it will activate almost any key I try with it.

As for the chances... eh, it's not a big worry in your case. Microsoft doesn't go after individuals for buying incorrect licenses, or running cracked activations, they only go after the bigger fishes, so you don't even register on their radar. You're ok. Its still a violation of the EULA, but it's not in Microsoft's favour to try prosecute or fine you or send you chocolates or whatever.

Edit: Darkspectre mentioned blacklistings and that's exactly what happened to some people on reddit's Softwareswap, after their keys were revoked, but then again those were definitely keys from Dreamspark and Bizspark.

 

[Ho3n3r]

MDSN keys, very likely. Each key can be used on up to 10 PCs. I reckon the key you bought is being shared with Bitfuture's other buyers. You could be screwed if the 10th guy gets caught by Microsoft when trying to activate a copy of Win8.1 on an additional PC and as a result, Microsoft blacklists the key. Look up the differences between MSDN and Retail keys.

According to him, the MSDN keys don't have stickers.

Do they?

 

[Ho3n3r]

You can, there are flags you can turn on and off in the install files that determine what pool of keys to activate Windows from. Its part of the process of setting up one of those all-in-one discs that I keep handy. I have one for repairs where all the flags are turned off, so it will activate almost any key I try with it.

As for the chances... eh, it's not a big worry in your case. Microsoft doesn't go after individuals for buying incorrect licenses, or running cracked activations, they only go after the bigger fishes, so you don't even register on their radar. You're ok.

Edit: Darkspectre mentioned blacklistings and that's exactly what happened to some people on reddit's Softwareswap, after their keys were revoked.

Ah, good to know. Thanks man. However, nothing was changed on any install files, that I know for sure, as I downloaded the ISO from Microsoft, and installed it myself.

But I'm guessing that he gets his keys from different sources, and the first one he gave me was already blacklisted.

I know I'm not in ****, but I don't accept devious business practices either.

 

[CataclysmZA]

According to him, the MSDN keys don't have stickers.

Do they?

Nope, you get your keys through the MSDN portal, it's just a copy-paste affair. Depending on the MSDN license and your relationship with Microsoft, you could end up with hundreds of keys for use in testing environments and deployments.

 

[Ho3n3r]

Nope, you get your keys through the MSDN portal, it's just a copy-paste affair. Depending on the MSDN license and your relationship with Microsoft, you could end up with hundreds of keys for use in testing environments and deployments.

So it's definitely not MSDN then. All the more looking like a foreign country buddy of his helping him then. Either that, or he's gone and physically printed mock stickers for every code, as he sent me photos of both the first non-working key and the second working key.

 

[ponder]

kms activator
But in all honesty i would wait for win10 & use win7 for now.

 

[CataclysmZA]

kms activator
But in all honesty i would wait for win10 & use win7 for now.

When I rebuild my PC in a few week's time, I'll be running the Technical Preview. It has shown to be pretty solid for me despite the fact that its way too far ahead in the process to be called a beta. I'll save up for another Windows license for my desktop and notebook until then. Hell, if Microsoft does another one of those $15 deals, I'm upgrading all the computers in my parent's house as well.

 

[vinodh]

When I rebuild my PC in a few week's time, I'll be running the Technical Preview. It has shown to be pretty solid for me despite the fact that its way too far ahead in the process to be called a beta. I'll save up for another Windows license for my desktop and notebook until then. Hell, if Microsoft does another one of those $15 deals, I'm upgrading all the computers in my parent's house as well.

I'm going to buy 3 or 4 keys if they have that type of deal again. I only have one Windows machine but the other keys will be there for VM's or friends. I still regret that I only bought 1 key when the Windows 8 deal was around...