Windows – Install Windows 8 without a Product Key

product-keywindows 8

Windows 8 setup asks for the product key at the beginning of the setup without letting you install it.

I got the Windows 8 ISO from MSDN but I didn't get enough keys to install it on all my 7 computers. Also, my MSDN subscription level doesn't allow me to get the VL product key to Windows 8 Enterprise.

Is there any way I can install Windows 8 for a limited time period like we used to do for Windows 7 ?

Best Answer

  1. Create a bootable USB flash drive to install Windows 8.

  2. Navigate to <FlashDrive>:\Sources\

  3. Save a file called ei.cfg in that folder with the following text:

    [EditionID]
Core
[Channel]
Retail
[VL]
0

If you want to install the Pro edition, replace Core with Professional. If you want the setup to ask which edition you want install without entering the product key, leave the [EditionID] blank.

You can also set [VL] (Volume Licensing) to 1 (for true) and [Channel] to OEM/Retail

Now install as normal and the Windows 8 setup won't ask for the product key. This will work for every copy of Windows 8 that you can get from anywhere.

Also, if you ever to want to enter the product key, you can do so from the Windows Activation window or using the slui 3 command.

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