Microsoft feels festive, kinda, accidentally gives out free Windows 8 keys to pirates
Anthony Garreffa / 12 years ago
Windows 8 leaked two months before its October 26 release, back in August, and pirates have been trying their best to get around Microsoft’s activation technology ever since. Early attempts at this involved third-party Key Management Services (KMS) servers, which activated a copy for 180 days, but required re-activation every six months.
This little workaround has let Windows 8 pirates use the OS for free, but obviously just temporarily. Microsoft have reportedly made it even easier to avoid paying for the OS altogether.
The Redmond-based software giant are giving away a Media Center upgrade to Windows 8 Pro users until January 31, 2013. Pirates have found out that the key provided will actually activate a copy of Windows 8 that was previously, but temporarily, activated through the KMS workaround.
This means that pirates can download a pirated version of Windows 8, temporarily activate it using the KMS method, upgrade it using the Media Center upgrade offer and enjoy a full-fledged version of Windows 8 Pro. Well then.
Source: The Verge
