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LeoNatan
Banned
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Location: Ramat Gan, Israel 🇮🇱
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 Posted: Sun, 28th Oct 2012 00:18 Post subject: >> The Definitive Windows 8 FAQ/HowTo << |
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THIS IS NOT A WINDOWS 8 SUPPORT THREAD IN THE USUAL WAY! It is ment solely for the purpose of guiding users how to install Windows 8, and the problems dealing with the immediate problems caused by the installation (like activation). For other support, please ask here: http://www.nfohump.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=66299
Q: What is Windows 8?
A: Windows 8 is the most recent version in the long line of operating systems by Microsoft. It is the follow up to Windows 7. With this version, Microsoft attempts to unify mouse+keyboard and touch paradigms, allowing the use of Windows 8 on both desktops and slates/tablets. At the center of this is the Modern UI (formally known as Metro UI, but changed at the last minute due to legal issues), a new UI paradigm which is supposedly optimized for both keyboard+mouse and touch. I say 'supposedly' because this is virtually untrue. The Modern UI is clearly designed for touch input (but not necessarily tablets/slates).
There are other, under the hood, changes to Windows 8, such as Windows To Go, optimized boot performance and so on.
Q: I like to live on the edge and always install the latest operating system version. Should I install Windows 8?
A: The answer here is not clear cut as previous Windows versions. Windows 8 introduces many changes to UI that may or may not be acceptable to you. Chief among these and most notorious is the omission of the start button in the taskbar (instead, when you reach the bottom-left corner with the mouse cursor, a small tile appears, and when clicked, the new start screen appears). More and more utilities are coming out to minimize the inconveniences.
Best recommendation I can give is to try the new OS under a VM or dual boot, and see if you can live with it. If the changes don't bother you, upgrading is recommended because of the faster boot times and other under-the-hood improvements.
Q: Which Windows 8 release should I get?
A: Any 6.2.9200.16384 RTM release is fine. It is recommended to get an unmodified release (untouched ISO) and later use a KMS server (or when/if available, crack or a loader) to activate it.
Q: Do all those releases include all versions of Windows 8, or do I have to get a special All-in-One release?
A: Windows 8 is a little different than Windows Vista and 7, as there are only 3 SKUs available, two of which - Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro are available with the retail ISOs and a Windows 8 Enterprise SKU which is available with volume licensing ISOs. Make sure to use the appropriate ISOs for the version you want/need. Also, be careful, as there are N and E versions of the above SKUs. N versions are without Windows Media Player and E version, which do not include Internet Explorer.
As before, 32-bit versions are contained on 32-bit ISOs and 64-bit versions are contained on 64-bit ISOs.
Q: Do I need a valid key to install and use Windows 8?
A: No, Windows 8 allows you to install it without a key and use it for a grace period. If you choose not to insert a key in the installation, it will ask you which SKU you wish to install. Before activating, Windows will have have a watermark on the desktop, and an "Activate Windows" sticker in the Modern UI. You will also not be able to customize Modern UI look before activating.
Q: Is there a working crack/loader for Windows 8?
A: Strictly speaking, no. Microsoft changed the way volume licensing key management works, so creating a similar loader as before with Windows Vista and 7 will be next to impossible to create. For now, there are two options:
- Use a watermark removing software, such as this. This will remove all nagging and basically allow you to use Windows 8, but it can break with any future Windows 8 update and your Windows 8 will not be genuine.
- Activate Windows 8 using a public KMS server. This activates Windows for at least 180 days, and will reactivate for more after certain periods pass. The downfall of this method is that KMS servers can go down, and you will have to find others. This is the recommended method. More details later.
Q: Can I use Windows Updates with the watermark removal patch or KMS activated Windows 8?
A: As a general rule, yes. At worst, your Windows will be inactivated and you can reapply the patch or activate with a KMS server again. Windows 8 has an unlimited grace period, so you will be able to use your Windows without getting locked out.
Q: Is it safe to use Window Updates?
A: Yes, it is safe to use Windows Updates. My recommendation would be to set it to notify you of newly available updates, and you install them one by one. Before installing new updates, it is wise to check out the MyDigitalLife forum for feedback on those patches.
Q: So what does the watermark removal patch do?
A: It modifies certain DLL files that are responsible for the Windows activation checking. It fools the UI to think that Windows is activated when it is not.
Q: So is it an actual crack?
A: Depends on your definition of a crack. It is not optimal, but allows you to use your Windows 8 without the annoying watermarks. So in a sense, sure. 
Q: What does the KMS activation do?
A: It activates your Windows with a volume license key, for a period of 180 days. From that point on, until the 180 days have passed, your Windows will be activated. After a certain period has passed, Windows will attempt to extend its activation period against the same KMS server you used before. If the server is up, it will succeed.
Q: Can I roll my own KMS server in a VM or my network?
A: Yes, you can. More details in the links below.
Q: Is there a miniKMS server which I can use to activate Windows?
A: Not so far, but it will be made sooner rather than later. I will update the FAQ once it is available.
Q: What keys should I use for KMS activation?
A: Use the following keys:
| Code: | Windows 8 Professional NG4HW-VH26C-733KW-K6F98-J8CK4
Windows 8 Professional N XCVCF-2NXM9-723PB-MHCB7-2RYQQ
Windows 8 Enterprise 32JNW-9KQ84-P47T8-D8GGY-CWCK7
Windows 8 Enterprise N JMNMF-RHW7P-DMY6X-RF3DR-X2BQT |
Q: What is the easiest way of installing Windows 8?
A: Installation is easier than ever with Windows 8. Just create a bootable DVD (by burning the ISO) or USB (but using various tutorials found in Google) and use them to install. You can also run setup.exe in your current Windows installation and installing from Windows.
Q: How can I easily configure and tweak the Windows 7 boot manager?
A: Starting with Windows 8, MS has changed the boot manager completely, again. The new boot manager is now a low-overhead Windows PE environment. EasyBCD is recommended for editing the boot options.
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Additional questions you may find helpful
Q: I have decided to buy an Upgrade version of Windows 8 because it is cheap. Do I need to first install Windows 7 first and then upgrade to Windows 8?
A: No! The upgrade key you got from Microsoft is a full, retail key, which you can use with retail ISOs to do upgrade or clean installations.
Q: I currently have a 32bit operating system (XP, Vista, Windows 7). Can I buy a 64bit upgrade version of Windows 8?
A: Yes! When you run the Microsoft Upgrade Adviser, it will notify you that a full upgrade is not possible, but you will be able to purchase an upgrade key and keep your user's files and settings.
Q: Which versions of Windows can I upgrade to Windows 8 directly during installation?
A: First, you can only upgrade a 32bit OS with a 32bit OS and a 64bit OS with a 64bit OS. You can't do a full upgrade from a 32bit OS to a 64bit OS. There is, however, an option to upgrade partially, keeping your user's files and settings.
The following upgrade scenarios are possible:
- Windows 7 Home Premium -> Windows 8
- Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate -> Windows 8 Pro
- Windows 7 Enterprise -> Windows 8 Enterprise
Q: Is an upgrade advisable, as opposed to doing a clean install?
A: No right and wrong answer; there are several schools of thought here, some to the extreme "never use upgrade, it sucks", some to the other extreme "I don't want to install anything, so always upgrade". Neither are 100% correct. In my opinion, some logical judgment should be put before upgrading. If you have kept your current installation clean and up to date, you can upgrade. The Windows upgrade has gone through improvements in recent Windows releases, and thus, an upgrade is not at all as bad as it used to be before Windows Vista.
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Useful links
The following links are recommended for periodic checks. They include useful information, KMS server addresses, tools for improving Windows 8 and a nice place to ask questions.
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Hope this FAQ helps you guys. If you have ideas that could improve it (useful questions, grammar issues, etc), post them here (or PM me).
Leo Natan
Last edited by LeoNatan on Sun, 28th Oct 2012 16:53; edited 5 times in total
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| Posted: Sun, 28th Oct 2012 01:50 Post subject: |
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Great FAQ.
It seems that to run a kms server within a VM machine seems a feasible alternative.
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LeoNatan
Banned
Posts: 73193
Location: Ramat Gan, Israel 🇮🇱
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| Posted: Sun, 28th Oct 2012 02:58 Post subject: |
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| Posted: Sun, 28th Oct 2012 12:23 Post subject: |
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Werelds
Special Little Man
Posts: 15098
Location: 0100111001001100
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| Posted: Sun, 28th Oct 2012 12:25 Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to. |
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LeoNatan
Banned
Posts: 73193
Location: Ramat Gan, Israel 🇮🇱
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| Posted: Sun, 28th Oct 2012 16:54 Post subject: |
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It was a Freudian slip. 
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| Posted: Sun, 4th Nov 2012 12:59 Post subject: |
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| Quote: | I DID suggest you try installing WMC first  tbh, the easiest solution is probably for you to download one of the new ProWMC slipstreamed ISOs (or make your own) and do a clean install using your WMC key. At the moment, this seems to be the most sensible way of installing Windows 8 full stop, and gives you permanent activation with a free key (and, from what we can tell, almost infinite reactivations).
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http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/38896-Activate-win8ProWMC-without-first-activate-the-Pro-version/page9
Free WMC keys here http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/feature-packs
As far as I can tell, you literally just install Win 8 Pro WMC using your WMC key and you're permanently activated.
Guide to make a WMC .iso http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/35650-Creating-a-Windows-8-AIO-with-Media-Center-manually
Edit: | Quote: | | activating your PC over the WMC trick changes the KMS into retail and so far, there is no more 180 days KMS version |
| Quote: | | It doesn't "completely" change, the KMS(or whatever activation) record is kept in the data.dat file in the Store folder. Even if you don't read into the binaries, you could notice it is about double size of the original before WMC upgrade. |
The problem here would be, if MS disabled the activation, that Win 8 WMC can't be activated by KMS.
Edit: This no longer works 28/04/13
Ryzen 5 5600, ASUS ROG STRIX B550-F GAMING WIFI II, Corsair Vengeance RGB RT 32GB 3600MHz C16, Zotac RTX 3060 Ti, Corsair RMx Series RM750x. AOC AGON AG324UX - 4K 144Hz 1ms GTG IPS FreeSync KVM
Last edited by Newty182 on Sun, 28th Apr 2013 13:13; edited 1 time in total
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| Posted: Mon, 5th Nov 2012 03:53 Post subject: |
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A mini KMS server is available now. http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/39144-KMSmicro-local-server-activation
It extracts to 825MB.
It can be run off a USB drive.
Ryzen 5 5600, ASUS ROG STRIX B550-F GAMING WIFI II, Corsair Vengeance RGB RT 32GB 3600MHz C16, Zotac RTX 3060 Ti, Corsair RMx Series RM750x. AOC AGON AG324UX - 4K 144Hz 1ms GTG IPS FreeSync KVM
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Frant
King's Bounty
Posts: 24555
Location: Your Mom
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| Posted: Mon, 5th Nov 2012 10:54 Post subject: |
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Ugh, did you have to add that horribly ugly W8 logo..
w8.. wait... that's exactly what it means.. "w8 a minute, what is this crap?"
Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn!
"The sky was the color of a TV tuned to a dead station" - Neuromancer
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LeoNatan
Banned
Posts: 73193
Location: Ramat Gan, Israel 🇮🇱
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| Posted: Mon, 5th Nov 2012 16:27 Post subject: |
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Cool stuff, thanks Newty. 
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LeoNatan
Banned
Posts: 73193
Location: Ramat Gan, Israel 🇮🇱
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| Posted: Fri, 1st Mar 2013 13:14 Post subject: |
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You can always ask a question, and if it is not answered, I will do my best to find information.
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NFOAC
Posts: 6015
Location: India
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| Posted: Sun, 21st Apr 2013 05:55 Post subject: |
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I tried Stardock to go back to Basic Menu style and Skip Metro Suite but it seems like its slowling down my startup considerably , anyone having same issue ?
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Ankh
Posts: 23251
Location: Trelleborg
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| Posted: Sat, 22nd Mar 2014 19:44 Post subject: |
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The Watermark removal url doesnt seem to work anymore.
shitloads of new stuff in my pc. Cant keep track of it all.
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LeoNatan
Banned
Posts: 73193
Location: Ramat Gan, Israel 🇮🇱
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| Posted: Sat, 22nd Mar 2014 21:06 Post subject: |
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The FAQ has not been updated in a while. If people find it interesting still, I could update it for Windows 8.1. There are already KMS solutions available for 8/8.1 which make watermark utilities obsolete.
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Ankh
Posts: 23251
Location: Trelleborg
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| Posted: Sat, 22nd Mar 2014 21:41 Post subject: |
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never had to crack win 8 because of msdnaa but wasn't there an activation trick via phone?
doesn't work anymore?
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| Posted: Thu, 27th Mar 2014 12:25 Post subject: |
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I'd also like it updated if you have the time Leo. Thanks
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LeoNatan
Banned
Posts: 73193
Location: Ramat Gan, Israel 🇮🇱
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| Posted: Thu, 27th Mar 2014 18:07 Post subject: |
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Cheers. I will look for info and update it today or tomorrow. 
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