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August 7th, 2012, 13:57 GMT · By

More Windows 8 ISOs Leak, Microsoft Blocks Activation Server

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The series of leaked Windows 8 builds continues with new ISOs available online, including Windows 8 RTM for China.

We’ve already seen Enterprise flavors of the platform leaked to various sharing websites, including the N version of the final build, and an original x64 build, but it seems that this is not all.

Both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows 8 Pro emerged online, WindowsBlogItalia reports, along with the x86 Windows 8 Enterprise RTM ISO. At the same time, info on leaked Windows 8 RTM for China also emerged, in both flavors as well.

For what it’s worth, it was somehow expected that Windows 8 would leak online shortly after reaching the RTM milestone, especially given the hype around the platform.

Of course, Microsoft did try to prevent that from happening, mainly through making pre-release flavors of the platform available for all users.

As usual, those who would like to take any of these leaked builds for a spin are advised to proceed with caution. They are not official releases and might have malicious software packed inside.

Moreover, we should note that, while some of those who hurried and installed the leaked builds were able to activate them online, it appears that Microsoft has blocked new requests.

Apparently, some people managed to crack the activation sequence and to bypass the Microsoft KMS servers, making the platform usable for 180 days before it needs to check again against a valid server.

Before that, Windows 8 would notify users by means of a popup that they should head online and activate their copy of the platform.

However, as mentioned above, the Redmond-based software giant has reportedly blocked access to the server, or might have even taken it down, to prevent more people from activating the leaked copies of Windows.

Windows 8
is set to be released to the general public on October 26th, though it will become available for download for MSDN and TechNet subscribers, as well as for other Microsoft partners, later this month.


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READER COMMENTS:


Comment #1 by: MCLeo on 07 Aug 2012, 15:45 UTC reply to this comment

WZor forewer!!!


Comment #2 by: vjott on 07 Aug 2012, 20:15 UTC reply to this comment

It's online again. In fact all day, various IPs have been accessible to activate Windows 8 RTM Pro and Enterprise, as one goes offline, another becomes available, I'm not exactly sure what's happening but I'm not complaining *wink*


Comment #3 by: Fayazdo on 07 Aug 2012, 21:35 UTC reply to this comment

Good you came to the conclusion it's a hype, now all you need to see is that hypes are what MS needs to use to sell a failing product of low quality, only designed to make you spend more money to compensate for its shortcomings.


Comment #4 by: vjott on 08 Aug 2012, 00:45 UTC reply to this comment

"Microsoft Blocks Activation Server". Not for long...lol.

Comment #4.1 by: richmile on 10 Mar 2013, 11:01 GMT

It seems pretty clear that this is another way of making More Money as they have even asked me to Pay US$10 to activate or Buy it again & this was a message displayed on my computer? If it is legal for them to do so then why are they Not Replying to my emails with this message?


Comment #5 by: Jay on 08 Aug 2012, 05:23 UTC reply to this comment

There will always be one group of people who feel entitled to a free install of Windows and another group that is willing to pay $100-$300 for it. All of the copyright protection in the world is not going to force anyone from the first group into the second group. Microsoft is wasting time and resources that could be better spent making Windows less of an OSX rip off.


Comment #6 by: jc on 08 Aug 2012, 10:08 UTC reply to this comment

its a fact that Microsoft are not the smartest if the wanted to stop hackers they should have made it only available for new laptop and pc's and made a activation chip to go inside

Comment #6.1 by: mariox on 08 Aug 2012, 23:49 GMT

They're already doing that with new hardware and tablets. Of course they have to still design some method of activation for current PC and laptops that don't have hardware-based activation.


Comment #7 by: amj2012 on 10 Aug 2012, 21:07 UTC reply to this comment

why leaked and not be able to activate it, this sounds like * ...
first distribute ones that could be activated (twice) and now blocking it?
come on, what are you ding anyway?
Let's have it...


Comment #8 by: richmile on 10 Mar 2013, 10:55 UTC reply to this comment

Hi, Can you tell me why when I tried to Activate my Windows 8 Pro that the Activation Key was not accepted & even after contacting Microsoft Australia which was a Waste of time but now they are keeping on asking me to Activate the Software when I have returned the product & besides they have made changes to my Computer with All Menus disappearing including the Start Symbol? Is this Legal what they are doing or do I have take further action against Microsoft Australia as they are still not contacting me according to all the replies from my emails which stipulated that they were going to contacting me. Is this a Game or Harassment ?

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