Windows 8 Activation problem.

ssmacc · 10 Dec 2012 at 19:14

Hello,

I’ve updated my 3 PC’s and 2 others (friends) using the same method without any problems. However, the last one I have to do will not active? Has anyone phoned up Microsoft activation centre and actually spoke to anyone?

If so, what was the experience like?

Here is what I have done:
Install a legit Windows on a virtual PC.
Run the upgrade assistant from the legit Windows.
Cancelled the download of Windows 8.
Use a previously Downloaded Windows 8 (64bit).

This has worked flawlessly until now?

AS_Platinum · 10 Dec 2012 at 19:22

I had to reinstall windows 8 yesterday on my HTPC (new SSD). I forgot it was an upgrade license and just done a clean install. I couldn't activate as it said "this is an upgrade license blah blah blah"

I then stuck my win 8 usb stick back in, and done a reinstall, keeping all settings.
It then installed win 8 fine and activated perfectly.

Might work for you?

gareth170 · 10 Dec 2012 at 19:31

i had to format my laptop due to not being able to boot in win8. so i used the win8 dvd that i created on my desktop because the win8 dvd that i created on my laptop was in another room. so i did clean install (no previous windows installed) after win8 was finished it wouldn't activate, not even with the reg hack, so i got the win8 dvd that i created on my laptop and i did the same thing clean install (no previous windows installed) after win8 was finished it activated fine,

~>Dg<~ · 10 Dec 2012 at 19:37

may help

if you cant get windows 8 to activate

Activate Windows 8 Pro Upgrade
Windows 8 users who noticed that the operating system can’t be activated after the installation may want to try the following workaround that worked to activate when installing Windows 7 using an upgrade on a clean PC.
• Open regedit by pressing Windows-q, entering regedit and selecting the result from the list of hits.
• Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/
• Change MediaBootInstall from 1 to 0
• Go back to the start screen and enter cmd there.
• Right-click Command Prompt and select to run it as administrator.
• Type slmgr /rearm on the command line and hit enter.
• Reboot Windows now.
• Run the activation utility afterwards, enter your product key to activate Windows.

ssmacc · 10 Dec 2012 at 20:08

Cheers everyone, nice to know its no just me, will try a re-install (over the top) tomorrow and then the suggestion above if that doesn't work.

Thanks again.

ishoeyi · 11 Dec 2012 at 03:05

~>Dg<~ said:
may help

if you cant get windows 8 to activate

Activate Windows 8 Pro Upgrade
Windows 8 users who noticed that the operating system can’t be activated after the installation may want to try the following workaround that worked to activate when installing Windows 7 using an upgrade on a clean PC.
• Open regedit by pressing Windows-q, entering regedit and selecting the result from the list of hits.
• Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/
• Change MediaBootInstall from 1 to 0
• Go back to the start screen and enter cmd there.
• Right-click Command Prompt and select to run it as administrator.
• Type slmgr /rearm on the command line and hit enter.
• Reboot Windows now.
• Run the activation utility afterwards, enter your product key to activate Windows.

Thanks!

worked for me!

ssmacc · 13 Dec 2012 at 12:57

~>Dg<~ said:
may help

if you cant get windows 8 to activate

Activate Windows 8 Pro Upgrade
Windows 8 users who noticed that the operating system can’t be activated after the installation may want to try the following workaround that worked to activate when installing Windows 7 using an upgrade on a clean PC.
• Open regedit by pressing Windows-q, entering regedit and selecting the result from the list of hits.
• Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Setup/OOBE/
• Change MediaBootInstall from 1 to 0
• Go back to the start screen and enter cmd there.
• Right-click Command Prompt and select to run it as administrator.
• Type slmgr /rearm on the command line and hit enter.
• Reboot Windows now.
• Run the activation utility afterwards, enter your product key to activate Windows.

This worked for me, cheers.

Going to keep this safe as may come in useful if i do a clean install in the future.