May 2, 2011 14:58 GMT  ·  By

Soon after Windows 8 Build 7850 Milestone 1 was leaked in the wild, various tools started emerging, designed to activate the first leak of Windows 8 as well as unlock the new features that Microsoft had locked away from prying eyes. It should then come as no surprise that the hacks have evolved to also deal with Windows 8 Build 7955 Milestone 2, pre-M3.

At the end of the past week I told you about one tool designed to unlock upcoming features in Windows 8.

Since then I came across two additional hacks, one of which referencing the Matrix just as the first.

The tools can be used by those running leaked Windows 8 Build 7955 to activate their operating system and get a genuine copy.

It’s safe to assume that the hacks use some of the methods already familiar to their authors, including recycling platform components from Windows 7 or earlier versions of Windows, creating frankenbuilds of the OS.

On top of activating Windows 8 Build 7955, there are also collateral benefits, such as unearthing new features and enabling functionality that is disabled by default.

The hacks come with the promise of unlocking Ribbon Explorer UI, Touch Pattern Login, Immersive Browser, Modern Webcam, Modern Reader, Metro UI for Welcome OOBE, Login, Lockscreen and System Settings, as well as turning on Full DWM (Windows Aero without blur), Theme Auto Colorization and Theme Login Screen Image.

Reports from testers that used the hacks vary, with many revealing that while the tools do as advertised, they also introduce a range of problems, and create overall instability for the operating system.

Undoubtedly the hacks will continue to be released soon after new Windows 8 leaks moving forward, and Microsoft should take the necessary measures to block them already, although this will not stop hackers from producing additional workarounds.