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Windows 8.1 does not accept product key under Bootcamp

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peterpan123

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 24, 2014
275
12
Hello, I installed Windows 8.1 on my rMBP 15" 2014. I activated Windows when booted directly to it via Bootcamp. When I accessed this partition via VMware Fusion 7, the system asks me to enter a product key. I entered the same key but Windows does not accept it. When I checked the system, it lists the last five letters as the current key. However, at the bottom right hand corner, it says Windows 8.1 Build 9600. So, has Windows really been activated? If so, why the Build number shows up on the desktop?


Could you please let me know what to do? Thanks.
 
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Gjwilly

macrumors 68040
May 1, 2011
3,216
701
SF Bay Area
Microsoft's license is only good for one machine, real or virtual.
Running it in Bootcamp and again in VMWare violates the license which is why you got your error.
Stick with one machine only or buy a 2nd license.
 
EdgardasB

EdgardasB

macrumors 6502a
Apr 14, 2014
618
80
Lithuania
Gjwilly said:
Microsoft's license is only good for one machine, real or virtual.
Running it in Bootcamp and again in VMWare violates the license which is why you got your error.
Stick with one machine only or buy a 2nd license.
Click to expand...

What about like that: I have activated 8.1 pro on boot camp. Now I want to reinstall clean- remove windows through partition and install again. Will that key will work?
 
macenied

macenied

macrumors 6502a
Aug 20, 2014
637
29
karstas said:
What about like that: I have activated 8.1 pro on boot camp. Now I want to reinstall clean- remove windows through partition and install again. Will that key will work?
Click to expand...

Yes, the key will work. But most likely, your Windows license will show up as already installed on the Microsoft license servers.

So you need to reactivate by phone, calling a free number. I did this with my Windows 7 a few days ago. It's done in 5 minutes.
 
EdgardasB

EdgardasB

macrumors 6502a
Apr 14, 2014
618
80
Lithuania
macenied said:
Yes, the key will work. But most likely, your Windows license will show up as already installed on the Microsoft license servers.

So you need to reactivate by phone, calling a free number. I did this with my Windows 7 a few days ago. It's done in 5 minutes.
Click to expand...

Oh, thank you very much :)
 
P

peterpan123

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 24, 2014
275
12
I am a bit confused. For the past few years, I had been using one Windows license (XP, Windows 7) on both bootcamp and Fusion. Am I missing something? Is there some kind of new restriction in Windows 8.1?
 
macenied

macenied

macrumors 6502a
Aug 20, 2014
637
29
peterpan123 said:
I am a bit confused. For the past few years, I had been using one Windows license (XP, Windows 7) on both bootcamp and Fusion. Am I missing something? Is there some kind of new restriction in Windows 8.1?
Click to expand...

Why you don't ask MS, when you feel so comfortable with what you are doing ?
 
G

Gjwilly

macrumors 68040
May 1, 2011
3,216
701
SF Bay Area
peterpan123 said:
I am a bit confused. For the past few years, I had been using one Windows license (XP, Windows 7) on both bootcamp and Fusion. Am I missing something? Is there some kind of new restriction in Windows 8.1?
Click to expand...

The restriction was there in Windows 7 but the detection of machine changes is much stricter in Windows 8.
 
Gav Mack

Gav Mack

macrumors 68020
Jun 15, 2008
2,193
22
Sagittarius A*
Microsoft will normally let you have a second activation if you are bootcamp and virtual if you ring them up and explain its for the same hardware. Ring the activation hotline in your locality and speak to an advisor.
 
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Gjwilly

macrumors 68040
May 1, 2011
3,216
701
SF Bay Area
They'd have to give a second activation key.
It's Windows itself that's detecting the hardware change and deactivating itself.
 
macenied

macenied

macrumors 6502a
Aug 20, 2014
637
29
Gav Mack said:
Microsoft will normally let you have a second activation if you are bootcamp and virtual if you ring them up and explain its for the same hardware. Ring the activation hotline in your locality and speak to an advisor.
Click to expand...

This. Good enough for the few users using a VM and a physical installation in parallel. A second key for this would be an overkill, IMO.
 
G

Gjwilly

macrumors 68040
May 1, 2011
3,216
701
SF Bay Area
macenied said:
This. Good enough for the few users using a VM and a physical installation in parallel. A second key for this would be an overkill, IMO.
Click to expand...

Good enough only if you're willing to call Microsoft every time you want to start Windows.
It's not like Windows 7 where you activate once and you're good forever.
Windows 8 actually inspects the VM and forces a reactivation every time it detects a change.
 
Gav Mack

Gav Mack

macrumors 68020
Jun 15, 2008
2,193
22
Sagittarius A*
Gjwilly said:
Good enough only if you're willing to call Microsoft every time you want to start Windows.

It's not like Windows 7 where you activate once and you're good forever.

Windows 8 actually inspects the VM and forces a reactivation every time it detects a change.
Click to expand...


When you ring Microsoft and explain they give you an installation key which doesn't do Groundhog Day. I have quite a few bootcamp parallels clients out there and they would be driving me nuts if it didn't!
 
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