Windows 8.1 pre-activated - legit?

MGDMN

2[H]4U
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Sep 30, 2003
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I was searching online to purchase a copy or CD key of Windows 8.1 pro and I came across a "pre-activated" version on ebay. The picture of the item shows software packaging that could be legit, but im skeptical. Is this legit? In theory, if it is legit, can it be installed on an unlimited number of PC's since it doesnt have to be activated? Sounds too good to be true, and you know what they say, it usually is.

Ebay listing link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Windows-8-1...rivers_Utilities_Software&hash=item27e68fd6cd

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Not legit, no such thing as "pre-activated", only Volume License from MS and some other licensing options which in the end are tied to a company.

pre-activated = pirated copy with a built in activator.
 
Indeed, not legit. The closest you get to a "pre-Activated" copy is when you use a manufacturer specific OEM disk on that brand of PC - like a dell installation disk on a Dell desktop. They activate silently in those cases, but it's still not "pre Activated"
 
For anyone who's ever been VERO'd on 100% legit listings, you really need to laugh at blatant piracy staying available.
 
Ask for the checksum for the CD image and if it doesn't match to official Microsoft then it probably has the added bonus of injected malware, keystroke logger, backdoor, etc.
 
Indeed, not legit. The closest you get to a "pre-Activated" copy is when you use a manufacturer specific OEM disk on that brand of PC - like a dell installation disk on a Dell desktop. They activate silently in those cases, but it's still not "pre Activated"

It is even easier these days with Windows 8. Systems with activation key embedded in BIOS will work fine with retail install media. That being said, there is no reason to ever get install images from anyone other than MS (or an image that matches the SHA1 hashes published on MSDN)
 
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