Where to get Win 8.1 key?

BenEadir

Hi all,

Built my first gaming PC yesterday with a lot of help from this forum, thanks

I have a Win 8.1 bootable USB and I'm waiting to get a $30 key from https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap/comments/2ixue7/h_windows_7_8_81_windows_server_office_visio/ but I haven't had a response to the PM I sent him yesterday and the feedback on his webstore page indicates he usually responds within an hour or two.

I'm so close to getting this machine configured but I can't take the next step without a legit (not interested in any hacked or pirate software) Win 8.1 key.

Can anyone suggest an alternative source for getting a Win 8.1 key which isn't the full $119.99 cost on the Microsoft webstore? (http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Windows-8.1/productID.288401200)

.G.

I used him before myself with no issues. Bear in mind he's in the US so it's night time now and he might have been out yesterday. He was the cheapest when I looked for my key but there are other sellers there too in the main thread https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap/

BenEadir

superg wrote: »

I used him before myself with no issues. Bear in mind he's in the US so it's night time now and he might have been out yesterday. He was the cheapest when I looked for my key but there are other sellers there too in the main thread https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap/

Thanks, just founf this guy who's offering $10 off so $20 for the product key!! Hopefully he'll be awake and respond quickly!! https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap/comments/2pwep7/h_windows_7_8_81_pro_server_office_2010_2013/

BenEadir

sugarman wrote: »

You dont need a key for the moment, you can use it for 90days without one. So go ahead with it, then enter the key to activate the full license.

Also, if you know anyone who is a student you can get it for €30.

I wish that were true, the "Next" button is greyed out and cannot be clicked until the product key is entered. I tried entering random numbers and the "next" button will activate but it immediately stops and says the key is not valid.

BenEadir

sugarman wrote: »

Seems things are a little different in 8.1.

You can try the below if you're really eager to get it going

http://www.techmesto.com/install-windows-8-1-without-product-key/

That looks straightforward enough. So instead of "Professional" I insert "Standard" and the rest of that text (replacing whatever is already in the file) and I should be good to go?

Mr McBoatface

Just install with a "Windows 8.1 generic key" for the version of windows 8.1 you plan to purchase, don't worry it is legal and fine, they are freely released my MS (google it). You'll have 90 days or so to use before you need to enter a real product key . When you get your hands on a legit key just click the activate my windows in the systems setting and enter the new product key you just purchased.

MayoForSam

I got a Windows 8.1 Standard N key last week for $10 from a seller on reddit/microsoftsoftwareswap, worked fine, had it in a few hours once I PM'ed him.

Dcully

MayoForSam wrote: »

I got a Windows 8.1 Standard N key last week for $10 from a seller on reddit/microsoftsoftwareswap, worked fine, had it in a few hours once I PM'ed him.

Likewise, got windows 8.1 pro key for €16 from there, got it within 15 mins of transaction.

kn2k10

Do they let you pay by Good or Services on Paypal meaning you can charge back if they try scam you, or do they force you to pay by gift to avoid Paypal fees?

I know this is on a per-seller basis, just hoping to get some input from people who were ballsy enough to go through with this.




I was looking at the seller "s5ean" in particular.

BenEadir

kn2k10 wrote: »

Do they let you pay by Good or Services on Paypal meaning you can charge back if they try scam you, or do they force you to pay by gift to avoid Paypal fees?

I know this is on a per-seller basis, just hoping to get some input from people who were ballsy enough to go through with this.




I was looking at the seller "s5ean" in particular.

You have to pay via gift / friends and family. Got my key earlier and it worked a treat.

kn2k10

BenEadir wrote: »

You have to pay via gift / friends and family. Got my key earlier and it worked a treat.

Ah damn.

Did you use the guy linked in OP?

Gadgetman496

kn2k10 wrote: »

I was looking at the seller "s5ean" in particular.

Used that seller in the past without any problems.

kn2k10

I wonder if these things ever expire considering they're probably gotten from DreamSpark

.G.

i wouldn't worry about it, they are €15. If I get 3 years from mine for that money I wouldn't complain. I used the seller DNK13 for my Win 7 N key because s5ean wanted me to pay the paypal fee's and he was more expensive.

feelgoodinc27

sugarman wrote: »

You dont need a key for the moment, you can use it for 90days without one. So go ahead with it, then enter the key to activate the full license.

Also, if you know anyone who is a student you can get it for €30.

Where is the student price from? On the Microsoft store website it's €60 for students.

..Brian..

If one seller is asking you to pay paypal fees, just buy off another seller. I mean, it's only €15, it's hardly going to be the end of the world if something goes wrong!

Gadgetman496

..Brian.. wrote: »

If one seller is asking you to pay paypal fees, just buy off another seller. I mean, it's only €15, it's hardly going to be the end of the world if something goes wrong!

Paying the fees isn't going to break the bank either on such a small sum

kn2k10

..Brian.. wrote: »

If one seller is asking you to pay paypal fees, just buy off another seller. I mean, it's only €15, it's hardly going to be the end of the world if something goes wrong!

Getting scammed is never fun though.

levitronix

kn2k10 wrote: »

I wonder if these things ever expire considering they're probably gotten from DreamSpark

got a question about using keys from reddit, why cant you just download your software from Microsoft or digital river and use the key you ve bought from reddit ?

Gadgetman496

levitronix wrote: »

got a question about using keys from reddit, why cant you just download your software from Microsoft or digital river and use the key you ve bought from reddit ?

You can. They just make the option available to down it for those who might not know about that. The key is just that, the key.

Shiminay

yep, that's exactly how it works. Got a Win 8.1 key myself early last year from a chap on Adverts actually, but I just grabbed the ISO from Microsoft directly and burnt it to a disc for handiness.

zAbbo

You can no longer buy the keys on Reddit, as a batch of them got invalidated recently. These keys will expire anyway - as they're using Dreamspark/Student ones.

Gadgetman496

zAbbo wrote: »

You can no longer buy the keys on Reddit, as a batch of them got invalidated recently. These keys will expire anyway - as they're using Dreamspark/Student ones.

The key's I bought are all still activated and it's over a year now

pleasant Co.

zAbbo wrote: »

You can no longer buy the keys on Reddit, as a batch of them got invalidated recently. These keys will expire anyway - as they're using Dreamspark/Student ones.

You can still buy these keys on reddit.

EoinHef

For less than 20% of the retail cost of an OEM copy of windows 8.1,id take my chances:)

zAbbo

pleasant Co. wrote: »

You can still buy these keys on reddit.

Not on r/softwareswap http://www.reddit.com/r/softwareswap/comments/2elib3/psa_its_time_to_address_your_concerns/

pleasant Co.

zAbbo wrote: »

Not on r/softwareswap http://www.reddit.com/r/softwareswap/comments/2elib3/psa_its_time_to_address_your_concerns/

You're doing it wrong: http://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap/ :pac: