Microsoft has slammed the door on the Windows 8 Media Center activation flaw

[LiLmEgZ]

A few weeks back we reported that there was a loophole in Windows 8 that could turn a pirated copy of Windows 8 into a legitimate install by downloading the Media Center add-on. For those of you have no remorse about stealing $40 software, this was a golden ticket to a free copy of Windows 8.

However, it looks like Microsoft has finally patched this simple exploit as the workaround is reportedly to no longer be working. It is being stated that individuals who are trying to use the exploit to turn their illegal copy of Windows 8 into a legitimate install are being met with the following error:

Activation error

Unable to activate Windows 8 Pro with Media Center. (Error code: 0xC004C4AA)

What it means and how to fix it

You might see this error after you used the Add Features to Windows 8 app to upgrade your current edition of Windows. The Windows 8 Pro with Media Center edition can only be activated on PCs that had Windows preinstalled, or Windows was purchased on the Windows website or at a retail store. To fix the problem, you need to install Windows with the product key provided to you in an email or with the DVD. If you think you have received this message in error, contact a Microsoft Customer Support representative.

As of now, it looks like if you obtained a key using the method that is now patched, it appears that the copies are still active and have not been blacklisted by Microsoft, yet. We don’t know if they plan to go back and try to hunt down all the users who stole their copy of Windows 8 using the trick mentioned above or if they will simply write-off the loss and not bother spending the man-hours trying to identify the individuals.

So, if you were planning on using the exploit to obtain a free copy of Windows 8, you are out of luck. Seeing as this was such a simple work-around to obtain a free copy of Windows 8, we do wonder how Microsoft missed this exploit during QA testing.

Source: http://www.neowin.ne...activation-flaw

[demoneye]

took them to much time to cover it up LOL

[tezza]

Horse, bolted, shutting, door, stable. :lol:

[Shadowx]

So much sh**ty windows has to offer.

[november_ra1n]

Life is easy sometimes, use working MAK Keys then add future in setting panel add the WMC Promotional Keys to activate that is it.

Make sure you do not install wrong Windows 8 Pro Edition. Here is the only adition has add future function, they both Original MSDN Iso files:

32 bit

File Name: en_windows_8_x86_dvd_915417.iso

64 bit

File Name: en_windows_8_x64_dvd_915440.iso

[LiLmEgZ]

Life is easy sometimes, use working MAK Keys then add future in setting panel add the WMC Promotional Keys to activate that is it.

Make sure you do not install wrong Windows 8 Pro Edition. Here is the only adition has add future function, they both Original MSDN Iso files:

32 bit

File Name: en_windows_8_x86_dvd_915417.iso

64 bit

File Name: en_windows_8_x64_dvd_915440.iso

Whats the difference between these ones and the WZT released ones? Just curious :P

[november_ra1n]

Whats the difference between these ones and the WZT released ones? Just curious :P

To be honest there is not any difference between WZT [WZOR Russian guru he leak first any Microsoft Operation System comes around] and MSDN version, only file hash does not much. According to Windows 8 Pro with add future of WMC you need to make sure what version you install. Volume License Edition does not have this ad future therefore only edition i test working i post it above. Any further info download link MAK keys [updated regularly] on the topic >>>>>>

Added Info: I know there is WZT Pro Edition has this add future for WMC but i do not which one...

[demoneye]

to be honest , for me this WMC is useless like a horse shit , it good only to get permanent activation of windows 8 (flow :D ).

for us ppl one less way to active W8 ... ;)

[mara-]

It's still possible to activate using this method. :)

Cheers ;)

[demoneye]

@mara

:lol:

[LiLmEgZ]

It's still possible to activate using this method. :)

Cheers ;)

I laugh at this too!!! :D

[mara-]

I don't get it. What's funny? I activated 2 hours ago. If you think I'm joking, you're wrong.

Cheers ;)

[calguyhunk]

I'm wondering if already activated copies can be re-activated with the same key after a re-install. My Win8 installation is seriously messed up after so many experimentations, installations and uninstallations ( :P ), that I badly need a re-install and re-activation :dunno:

[DKT27]

I'm wondering if already activated copies can be re-activated with the same key after a re-install. My Win8 installation is seriously messed up after so many experimentations, installations and uninstallations ( :P ), that I badly need a re-install and re-activation :dunno:

Reset or refresh won't do?

How about Advanced Token Manager?

[calguyhunk]

Reset or refresh won't do?

That's the messed up part - No :(

How about Advanced Token Manager?

Yeah, I do have the activation backed up, both manually as well as with ATM, but I did it only with Office 2013 installed. Now if I don't install that (or even if I did) I don't know how that is going to pan out :dunno: Hopefully it's gonna work. Fingers crossed :P

[nIGHT]

I don't get it. What's funny? I activated 2 hours ago. If you think I'm joking, you're wrong.

Cheers ;)

I believe you mara-. There is always a way. :)

[LiLmEgZ]

Well I have kinda been following the comments on this article on NeoWin page and a couple new comments emerged with the following info:

HAckEur, 6 hours ago

"slammed the door?" I think it's been re-opened again, the 'flaw' has a new 'flaw' in it that has already been exploited! looks like there is going to be a lot of door slamming in the near future

+sanke1, 3 hours ago

Yup. People are having success with another method. You need correct data.dat which does not have KMS activation bits and the one which has previously Activated Retail Pro/ProWMC bits in it.

It still appears that KMS would be the safest way to activate Windows 8 Professional without WMC regardless since MS cannot block KMS (because typically KMS done locally anyhow and never contacts MS Servers).

[exodius]

Microsoft has slammed the door on the Windows 8 Media Center activation flaw

bad news :(

this method still works if we do not update windows 8 after installed, my be.

after installed, directly activated via KMS & WMC key.

[exodius]

Life is easy sometimes, use working MAK Keys then add future in setting panel add the WMC Promotional Keys to activate that is it.

Make sure you do not install wrong Windows 8 Pro Edition. Here is the only adition has add future function, they both Original MSDN Iso files:

32 bit

File Name: en_windows_8_x86_dvd_915417.iso

64 bit

File Name: en_windows_8_x64_dvd_915440.iso

please create special thread that discusses the MAK keys windows 8 & how to activate it.

may be with this method can help when "WMC method" is blocked.

[november_ra1n]

please create special thread that discusses the MAK keys windows 8 & how to activate it.

may be with this method can help when "WMC method" is blocked.

There is already topic Any further info download link MAK keys [updated regularly] follow the link on the topic >>>>>>

[exodius]

please create special thread that discusses the MAK keys windows 8 & how to activate it.

may be with this method can help when "WMC method" is blocked.

There is already topic Any further info download link MAK keys [updated regularly] follow the link on the topic >>>>>>

Ohh,thx bro, I'm forget :D

[LiLmEgZ]

@Exodius: I still would use KMS to activate Windows 8... seems to be pretty safe and you can even use ur local machine to activate it... meaning no need to rely on a online KMS Server to be active to reactivate your Windows 8 when need be :)

[Ambrocious]

I haven't tried Windows 8 yet and from all that I hear, I wont. My College Professor who had worked part time for Washington DC (government dealings) informed me that Windows 8 has so many direct lines to the FBI and CIA. He told me that he was going to share details with me...but then something weird happened. He got skittish and then kept putting it off. I even once posted a topic here in the forms about Windows 8 having backdoors but at the time I had no proof of that and I seriously thought that I was going to get the proof.

I can't tell what happened and why he never gave me the info...I'm guessing he was threatened.

Aside from the backdoor unpleasantness, it's missing features that should not be missing and also, Microsoft has been in the business of creating a Good OS followed by a crap OS for as far back as I can tell. Windows 8 is all looks, less function.

Who knows...maybe one day I'll transition to a better OS...whenever windows 9 comes around. I'm really hoping that a completely new, kick ass OS will emerge and just dominate.

[demoneye]

the FBI and CIA part sound very scary stuff , Although i am not shocked niter Surprised :D

[exodius]

@Exodius: I still would use KMS to activate Windows 8... seems to be pretty safe and you can even use ur local machine to activate it... meaning no need to rely on a online KMS Server to be active to reactivate your Windows 8 when need be :)

how to activate with local machine/offline ??? :o KMS need internet connection/online.