Report: Microsoft to change Windows 8 OEM activation

[HALiD]

While Microsoft's largely left its Windows activation the same since Windows XP, it appears the company may

now be changing its activation requirements with the upcoming October 26 release of Windows 8.

A new report from Justin Kerr of Maximum PC claims Microsoft is looking to close "loopholes" in the

current activation requirements in an effort to reduce piracy rates for its signature operating system. One of

the ways Microsoft hopes to achieve this is by modifying the OEM versions of the operating system, making it

more difficult for pirates to avoid paying Microsoft for the operating system. Instead of providing OEMs with

a single activation key, Kerr states, OEMs "will be required to write a unique Windows product key into the

BIOS of each new machine shipped."

Additionally, OEMs will now have to contact Microsoft directly to obtain product keys. OEM machines will now

feature a "Genuine Microsoft" sticker to alert consumers of the machine's authenticity. Certificates of

authenticity were previously the only requirement Microsoft imposed on OEMs to ensure authenticity.

Kerr states the new OEM activation requirements will only be used in Windows 8 products (and presumably

Windows RT products as well), although the program could potentially be expanded to Microsoft's previous

operating systems

View:LiNK

[LiLmEgZ]

Wouldnt surprise me or anyone else if it (meaning the program) does go towards future Windows 7 activations

[Ehsan]

EVERYTHING can be cracked :D

[LOQUILLO]

EVERYTHING can be cracked :D

It's true. Nothing is impossible.

[Bausch]

It's just a matter of time until some bright fella comes up with a solution that would blow this new scheme out of the water :)

[mastershake]

this has been known for a long time now. nothing new. oa3.0 has been posted on places like mydigitallife and others for months now.

[digimon]

EVERYTHING can be cracked :D

i doubt many will pirate windows 8 its metro interface is so bad most people would probably pay to get red of windows 8 if anytehing

[spudboy]

EVERYTHING can be cracked :D

i doubt many will pirate windows 8 its metro interface is so bad most people would probably pay to get red of windows 8 if anytehing

You don't have to use the metro interface. You can still use the standard desktop the same as before.

[DKT27]

You don't have to use the metro interface. You can still use the standard desktop the same as before.

I don't agree. There's no start menu, it's replaced by Metro. What can a person do without a good start menu? Hell, most of us access things from start menu. Now, for that, if I have to open that ugly metro for everything, I don't see how it's not an metro centric OS.

[dcs18]

Microsoft to change Windows 8 OEM activation

It would be better to change the OS, instead.

[GRiM]

You don't have to use the metro interface. You can still use the standard desktop the same as before.

I don't agree. There's no start menu, it's replaced by Metro. What can a person do without a good start menu? Hell, most of us access things from start menu. Now, for that, if I have to open that ugly metro for everything, I don't see how it's not an metro centric OS.

What do you do on old start menu you cant do on new?

If you mean things like quickly access run/control panel etc then just right click the start area instead of left. If you mean quickly access most used programs then just simply pin them to beginning of start screen.

[DKT27]

What do you do on old start menu you cant do on new?

If you mean things like quickly access run/control panel etc then just right click the start area instead of left. If you mean quickly access most used programs then just simply pin them to beginning of start screen.

One, if you are switching from desktop to metro, metro taking over the full screen, not only it's extremely annoying but also kills multi-tasking. Add that to the habit of doing thinks extremely fast. Add that to metro being extremely ugly, even if one changes the background colour/wallpaper. Those who think metro is organised haven't seen how much have I customized my Start Menu, it's on that levels where metro can't even think to reach. Pinning in it doesn't accomplish what I want.

The question should be, what does metro offer that is actually beneficial to me personally? Nothing. Instead, it hogs my full screen, doesn't allow to customize it to the level I've done on mine and is ugly as hell. Add that to other problems that may arise when one uses it further.

Take my word for it. 30% - 50% of uses who are really excited and liking Windows 8, are going to come back to Windows 7, in lets say about 3-6 months of usage. Let everyone get tired and sick of it.

[mosaji]

You don't have to use the metro interface. You can still use the standard desktop the same as before.

I don't agree. There's no start menu, it's replaced by Metro. What can a person do without a good start menu? Hell, most of us access things from start menu. Now, for that, if I have to open that ugly metro for everything, I don't see how it's not an metro centric OS.

What do you do on old start menu you cant do on new?

If you mean things like quickly access run/control panel etc then just right click the start area instead of left. If you mean quickly access most used programs then just simply pin them to beginning of start screen.

OS is meant to simplify life not complicate it further

[iaTa]

Classic Shell FTW:

http://www.askvg.com/download-classic-shell-skin-to-get-windows-7-look-like-start-menu-and-start-button-in-windows-8/

[localhost]

Classic Shell FTW:

http://www.askvg.com...n-in-windows-8/

+1

Yeah, it even skips the Metro interface at start. Not to mention it also removes the annoying cursor to corner gesture.

[DesiPirate]

I hate the metro but i will switch to windows 8 when there is some good medicine available.And believe that a lot of people will use it even though they are going to hate it at first and then will get used to it.Afterwards when windows 9 is available,I will use it and kick windows 8. :naughty: :pirate:

[GRiM]

What do you do on old start menu you cant do on new?

If you mean things like quickly access run/control panel etc then just right click the start area instead of left. If you mean quickly access most used programs then just simply pin them to beginning of start screen.

One, if you are switching from desktop to metro, metro taking over the full screen, not only it's extremely annoying but also kills multi-tasking. Add that to the habit of doing thinks extremely fast. Add that to metro being extremely ugly, even if one changes the background colour/wallpaper. Those who think metro is organised haven't seen how much have I customized my Start Menu, it's on that levels where metro can't even think to reach. Pinning in it doesn't accomplish what I want.

The question should be, what does metro offer that is actually beneficial to me personally? Nothing. Instead, it hogs my full screen, doesn't allow to customize it to the level I've done on mine and is ugly as hell. Add that to other problems that may arise when one uses it further.

Take my word for it. 30% - 50% of uses who are really excited and liking Windows 8, are going to come back to Windows 7, in lets say about 3-6 months of usage. Let everyone get tired and sick of it.

Yes metro takes over full screen but you can grab it from top and snap it to sides if you want multiple windows up. Or just move mouse over to top left and click left mouse to cycle through your windows.

Its going to take some getting used to as its a big leap from previous ways of doing things rather then a gradual progression but M$ have done this to bring some consistency through their product range. All devices are going metro style/look, even xbox.

There is/will be plenty of apps to bring back classic start menu/features partially/fully so should make the transition easier and you dont "have" to use metro versions of apps (except on ARM) so you can continue to use all the apps you have previously.

I have been tempted to go back to Win7 a few times over last couple of month (currently using RP) mostly because fucking FF and Thunderbird keeps crashing randomly and I cant pin it down as to what is causing it.

I really do enjoy the left side window/task switcher and preview pane etc aswell as the new metro RDP manager and I'm going to be more patient as I learn new OS/features. To me the start menu isnt a big deal, At first it was but to be honest I just simply put all my most used apps on desktop as shortcut or pin to taskbar. Anything else I can just use search at right side of screen or pin/access via start screen.

[calguyhunk]

...OEMs "will be required to write a unique Windows product key into the

BIOS of each new machine shipped."...

Looks like a BIOS mod may be the way to go. And to get 100's of millions of 'unique' keys, surely, MS will have a formulaic pattern that can be cracked :dunno:

[alaindc]

many dislike the metro interface (i didn't test windows 8, so i have no opinion on it)...

many have said they won't shift to windows 8...

if the Os is really more difficult to crack, to look genuine, the adoption rate of windows 8 will be even more slow than anticipated...

[DKT27]

Yes metro takes over full screen but you can grab it from top and snap it to sides if you want multiple windows up. Or just move mouse over to top left and click left mouse to cycle through your windows.

Its going to take some getting used to as its a big leap from previous ways of doing things rather then a gradual progression but M$ have done this to bring some consistency through their product range. All devices are going metro style/look, even xbox.

There is/will be plenty of apps to bring back classic start menu/features partially/fully so should make the transition easier and you dont "have" to use metro versions of apps (except on ARM) so you can continue to use all the apps you have previously.

I have been tempted to go back to Win7 a few times over last couple of month (currently using RP) mostly because fucking FF and Thunderbird keeps crashing randomly and I cant pin it down as to what is causing it.

I really do enjoy the left side window/task switcher and preview pane etc aswell as the new metro RDP manager and I'm going to be more patient as I learn new OS/features. To me the start menu isnt a big deal, At first it was but to be honest I just simply put all my most used apps on desktop as shortcut or pin to taskbar. Anything else I can just use search at right side of screen or pin/access via start screen.

I'll test the multi tasking things further. However, it still kills lot of things by taking over the fullscreen.

As for start menu mods, none are as good to be properly usable.

Talking about apps, just few days ago I had posted an article which explained how, as of now, most of the apps are not useful. In addition, it seems that MS is running after paid apps and is trying to woo paid app devs.

As for Firefox, on the metro side, I'm sure you must have heard how MS has had massive restrictions for other browsers, killing some of it's functionality. I'm not happy with this stance by MS.

Pinning on taskbar and icons on desktop are only going to bring clutter.

many dislike the metro interface (i didn't test windows 8, so i have no opinion on it)...

many have said they won't shift to windows 8...

if the Os is really more difficult to crack, to look genuine, the adoption rate of windows 8 will be even more slow than anticipated...

That's a good point. I'm wondering that from the time the activations thingy was out. There's one thing for sure, even if I plan to switch, it won't happen unless there's a good fix available. Seeing how Daz and others are disinterested in using Windows 8 themselves, it might take time.

[T4C Fantasy]

Yes metro takes over full screen but you can grab it from top and snap it to sides if you want multiple windows up. Or just move mouse over to top left and click left mouse to cycle through your windows.

Its going to take some getting used to as its a big leap from previous ways of doing things rather then a gradual progression but M$ have done this to bring some consistency through their product range. All devices are going metro style/look, even xbox.

There is/will be plenty of apps to bring back classic start menu/features partially/fully so should make the transition easier and you dont "have" to use metro versions of apps (except on ARM) so you can continue to use all the apps you have previously.

I have been tempted to go back to Win7 a few times over last couple of month (currently using RP) mostly because fucking FF and Thunderbird keeps crashing randomly and I cant pin it down as to what is causing it.

I really do enjoy the left side window/task switcher and preview pane etc aswell as the new metro RDP manager and I'm going to be more patient as I learn new OS/features. To me the start menu isnt a big deal, At first it was but to be honest I just simply put all my most used apps on desktop as shortcut or pin to taskbar. Anything else I can just use search at right side of screen or pin/access via start screen.

I'll test the multi tasking things further. However, it still kills lot of things by taking over the fullscreen.

As for start menu mods, none are as good to be properly usable.

Talking about apps, just few days ago I had posted an article which explained how, as of now, most of the apps are not useful. In addition, it seems that MS is running after paid apps and is trying to woo paid app devs.

As for Firefox, on the metro side, I'm sure you must have heard how MS has had massive restrictions for other browsers, killing some of it's functionality. I'm not happy with this stance by MS.

Pinning on taskbar and icons on desktop are only going to bring clutter.

many dislike the metro interface (i didn't test windows 8, so i have no opinion on it)...

many have said they won't shift to windows 8...

if the Os is really more difficult to crack, to look genuine, the adoption rate of windows 8 will be even more slow than anticipated...

That's a good point. I'm wondering that from the time the activations thingy was out. There's one thing for sure, even if I plan to switch, it won't happen unless there's a good fix available. Seeing how Daz and others are disinterested in using Windows 8 themselves, it might take time.

i think the mods will work properly, it will have the functions of windows 7 with the security ofwindows 8 its win win for people like you... and windows 8 just came out mods will improve, windows 8 is fast and great. if you dont like metro.. then mods are for you... they will make a windows 7 transformation pack for windows 8 im sure

[dcs18]

Yes, the security of Windows 8 is phenomenal (for Microsoft.) At last, an OS of their vision that's cloud based and has the propensity to dial home and (in)validate one's state of activation . . . . . . . . . at leisure (their's.)

Makes me wonder if the moral policemen will audit piracy of just the OS or will the transgression extend (seamlessly) to programs & applications written by other 3rd party Developers, too.

Please note, this time Daz isn't displaying the same enthusiasm & zest to cover my ass as he did when Windows 8 was released and Hazar is absconding.

Edit:

For those who aspire to heal ugliness using magical wands like WindowBlinds and the like, there's a miracle in hand - it's free and popularly known as Windows 7.

[spudboy]

Classic Shell FTW:

http://www.askvg.com...n-in-windows-8/

+1

Yeah, it even skips the Metro interface at start. Not to mention it also removes the annoying cursor to corner gesture.

I prefer Start8 over Classic Shell.

[chienjy]

Windows 8 is a brand new experience and we need to be more familiar with it .

But Windows 7 is working just fine !