Exclusive: Windows 8 contains new product activation method

03 Aug 12 12:27 by in category Software

Information on the new Windows 8 OEM activation that is covered by an Non Disclosure Agreement (DNA) has been leaked to the internet. The new product activation standard is called OEM Activiaton 3.0 (OA 3.0) and should provide benefits over OA 2.1 , used in Windows 7.

It enables OEMs to digitally order and receive product keys and to report computer information to Microsoft. It also enables activation of software on specific hardware. This means Windows 8 can be activated in the factory, so users can receive pre-activated Windows 8 computers. (More screenshots can be found on the forums here)


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7 Comments on Exclusive: Windows 8 contains new product activation method

ChristineBCW
Posts: 1314
Posted on: 03 Aug 12 15:05
Ah yes... the joys of living in The Perfect World.

That IS where we all live, yes? I love that "better user experience"...
Don-Wanna-Know
Posts: 39
Posted on: 04 Aug 12 00:33
Is this only for new computers or do legacy computers already have the required serial number in them?
HVD-Disc
Posts: 6
Posted on: 04 Aug 12 01:38
I don't see the point, Microsoft has already taken care of discouraging piracy in Windows 8 - Who really wants to pirate a crippled OS that's missing the start menu?

Well, at least this feature will be something exciting for those up for a challenge in breaking the product activation.
AIRBUD7
Posts: 106
Posted on: 07 Aug 12 04:32
Quote:
Originally Posted by HVD-Disc View Post
I don't see the point, Microsoft has already taken care of discouraging piracy in Windows 8 - Who really wants to pirate a crippled OS that's missing the start menu?
Lol
ChristineBCW
Posts: 1314
Posted on: 07 Aug 12 14:33
I keep wondering if (er, when) MS will embed a forced upgrade and download new software and activations on us. "Sorry, you can no longer use good products with high productivity abilities that you're familiar with - you've now been upgraded to Win8!"

Since Win7 installs a hundred extra unusable fonts, maybe MS will then activate some of those (Ishtar Sumarian Serif Inverted Italics Bold) as perma-screen fonts, too - so you can't realize what's happened until you've bought their new WinForIdiots series, then discovered you've just missed the rollback date option.

Well... realistically... this can't possibly happen until Win9, right?
bohdan77
Posts: 1
Posted on: 15 Aug 12 20:00
Hopefully its not named windows 9. Or it'll be mad.
alexonay
Posts: 2
Posted on: 15 Aug 12 23:37
Mmmm, new activation modes.
Tell us, what do you think about

Exclusive: Windows 8 contains new product activation method

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