Activation troubleshooting

Hi @alphanumeric

Yeah MAK keys are a throwback, they were introduced when people started using NON OEM computers.
There was NO SLIC table for a VLK to use, so MAK keys became the workaround.

Roy

hawkman said:

Hi @alphanumeric

Yeah MAK keys are a throwback, they were introduced when people started using NON OEM computers.
There was NO SLIC table for a VLK to use, so MAK keys became the workaround.

Roy

I always just assumed they were for testing. For people like me with an MSDN subscription. I can run Enterprise without having to setup a KMS server. And Microsoft doesn't have to set one up just for MSDN users. I don't think they were ever meant to be used to activate a system for use in a production setup. At one time it would say activated with a Product key if I used a MAK. Then at some point they got Digital Licenses. I can't remember what build did it though. I had a big long thread on it.

Thats progress for you, i can see that thier, MS, looking to the future, once W7 reaches its end of life then the SLIC table requirement will be no more, . and suspect it will just be VLK, BUT that will be Years away, just look at how many comps are still running XP, suspect W7 will carry on in the same way.


Roy

SLIC tables are gone as far as Windows 8 and Windows 10 go. They don't use them. They use OEM embedded keys, totally different thing. SLIC tables are only ever used with custom branded OEM install media. Retail install media doesn't look for or use SLIC tables. And VL activation never ever used SLIC tables.

Also, keep in mind that factory OEM installs of Windows 7 and earlier, don't activate online. They activate against the SLIC table. They may all use the same OEM product code for that Edition of Windows 7, but its not a VL key. Those OEM keys are permanently blocked from online activation. They only work if the PC has a SLIC table and the custom install media to match. And there is no key stored in the SLIC table. All that's there is OEM info.

I Know all to well about W7 activation.

It wasnt just the SLIC table that OEMs activated against, there had to be a Windows Marker file as well as the OEM install ACPI file, which is where most activation exploits were placed, allthough in the Mgadiag report they ended up in the wrong place, and hence were spotted by the human eye but not via MS's automated system that still saw them as genuine.

RE VLK --- MS Artical: 942962
This problem occurs if the KMS server does not find a valid Windows marker in the ACPI_SLIC table in the computer's BIOS program. This problem occurs for one of the following reasons

.Cause 2
You purchased a computer that does not have a qualifying Windows operating system installed. In this case, the Windows marker is not present in the ACPI_SLIC table.

As i said thats why MAK keys were needed


As for 8/10 thier is still a windows marker file and ACPI is still present within the OEM BIOS program

Roy

Ok, fair enough. I don't and have never worked as an IT Pro. Looks like I got it wrong. I didn't know anything about this part "Windows Volume License is for upgrades only. Before you try to upgrade, you must first purchase an underlying, qualifying, and genuine Windows license. For more information, visit the following Microsoft website: " I always just assumed you were buying a full license per PC.

OK...I just wonder now if I can keep all my stuff on this system that keeps getting deactivated. As I said it is Win 10 Enterprise VL that I believe. was activated with a MAK key.

Anyway, can I purchase a Windows 10 Pro and change this and keep my files as per the tutorial?

MPSAN said:

OK...I just wonder now if I can keep all my stuff on this system that keeps getting deactivated. As I said it is Win 10 Enterprise VL that I believe. was activated with a MAK key.

Anyway, can I purchase a Windows 10 Pro and change this and keep my files as per the tutorial?

Yes, as far as I know you can do a change product key, enter a valid Pro key, and switch to 10 Pro. I've done it in the past.
Downgrade Windows 10 Enterprise to Windows 10 Pro

EDIT: Nothing was lost in the process, other than the Enterprise Features Pro doesn't have. I didn't lose any files or installed programs.

alphanumeric said:

Yes, as far as I know you can do a change product key, enter a valid Pro key, and switch to 10 Pro. I've done it in the past.
Downgrade Windows 10 Enterprise to Windows 10 Pro

EDIT: Nothing was lost in the process, other than the Enterprise Features Pro doesn't have. I didn't lose any files or installed programs.

Thank you. I can try this. By losing Enterprise features, I assume that GPEDIT is not one of them although I have 2 systems that are not Enterprise and they have all that I need.