Last month pirates found a way to activate Windows 8 for free by simply using the Windows Media Center key provided by Microsoft for free as part of a limited time offer. Microsoft has quietly patched the flaw as the workaround is reportedly to no longer be working. All users who attempt to exploit it and turn their illegal Windows 8 copy into a legitimate are provided with the following "Activation error" message:
Activation error
Unable to activate Windows 8 Pro with Media Center. (Error code: 0xC004C4AA)
What it means and how to fix it
You might see this error after you used the Add Features to Windows 8 app to upgrade your current edition of Windows. The Windows 8 Pro with Media Center edition can only be activated on PCs that had Windows preinstalled, or Windows was purchased on the Windows website or at a retail store. To fix the problem, you need to install Windows with the product key provided to you in an email or with the DVD. If you think you have received this message in error, contact a Microsoft Customer Support representative.
Unable to activate Windows 8 Pro with Media Center. (Error code: 0xC004C4AA)
What it means and how to fix it
You might see this error after you used the Add Features to Windows 8 app to upgrade your current edition of Windows. The Windows 8 Pro with Media Center edition can only be activated on PCs that had Windows preinstalled, or Windows was purchased on the Windows website or at a retail store. To fix the problem, you need to install Windows with the product key provided to you in an email or with the DVD. If you think you have received this message in error, contact a Microsoft Customer Support representative.
All the Windows 8 copies previously activated via this exploit are still active at this point and haven't been blacklisted by Microsoft yet.
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