I heard this from a few different sources, so I had to try and see for myself. Because Microsoft closed the hole with volume keys (each Windows installation now needs a unique key), in theory pirates would have to rely on KMS activation, that needs to be "refreshed" every 180 days.
But, Microsoft is giving away free upgrade keys to turn Windows 8 Pro into Windows 8 Pro+WMC, and they don't bother to check if the key you are currently using is valid. As long as the system is activated, even if it is activated with KMS, it will take the key and apply the upgrade. Since the WMC key comes directly from Microsoft and is unique for each user, it activates Windows 8 Pro permanently. Oops!
To see for yourself, all you have to do is install Windows 8 Pro using any valid key, even if it's in use and, once the system is installed, activate it with a KMS server that takes all keys as valid. Details on the key/server I used removed to avoid breaking the "no cracks/warez/serials discussion" rule.
After you do that, Windows is activated for 180 days. You can then go toto get a free Windows Media Center code emailed to you. The rest of the instructions are helpfully provided by Microsoft itself; go to "Add features to Windows", enter your free product key, and wait a while for the system to download and install Windows Media Center. After it comes back from a reboot, you can go ahead and activate Windows normally with Microsoft, and since your new product key is valid and unique, you'll activate permanently with no issues.
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I find it really funny that Microsoft made things more difficult for OEMs by forcing every computer to have an unique product key, only to accidentally start giving unique product keys to anyone who asks. Great job, Microsoft.
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