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Media Center Key Accidentally Gives Pirates Free Windows 8 Pro License
MrSeb writes "In an amusing twist that undoubtedly spells the end of some hapless manager's career, Microsoft has accidentally gifted pirates with a free, fully-functioning Windows 8 license key. As you have probably surmised, this isn't intentional — Microsoft hasn't suddenly decided to give pirates an early Christmas present (though the $40 upgrade deal from Windows 8 Release Preview is something of a pirate amnesty). ... The bug involves the Key Management Service, which is part of Microsoft's Volume Licensing system. Pirates have already hacked the KMS to activate Windows 8 for 180 days — but this is just a partial activation. Now it turns out that the free Media Center Pack license keys that Microsoft is giving out until January 31 2013 can be used on a KMS-activated copy of Windows 8 to turn it into a fully licensed copy of Windows 8 Pro. "
Moderation gods may flame-mod me down on this. But you also have to "get to the point" where you get over the Metro interface. I have dealt with many Windows newbies (ranging from relatives to customers -- mostly non-techies) in the past who had a very hard time dealing with the idea of a "Start" menu. It's not going to be real fun seeing them deal without it. Especially when the help calls start coming in.