Windows 81 And Windows Server 2012 R2 Privacy Statement For Installation Features Key

During and after installation, the OS contacts Microsoft’s activation servers. Data sent includes: product key hash, hardware hash (a non-reversible representation of your PC’s components), and regional settings. Microsoft states this data is used “only for activation and validation.”

When you enter a 25-character product key during or after installation, the system collects: During and after installation, the OS contacts Microsoft’s

This information is hashed locally and transmitted to Microsoft activation servers to verify legitimacy. This information is hashed locally and transmitted to

When you run setup.exe from a Windows 8.1 or Server 2012 R2 ISO, the installation wizard connects (unless you are offline) to Microsoft’s activation and feature telemetry servers. Here is exactly what the privacy statement says regarding the installation features key process: Applicable to: Windows 8

Microsoft may update this privacy statement for security patches or legal compliance. Any changes affecting product key handling will be communicated via:

A Key Management Service (KMS) host inside your firewall ensures that individual installation features keys never leave your network. Your servers only send a KMS request to your internal host, not Microsoft. The privacy statement notes that KMS activations transmit no personally identifiable information except a generic count of activated clients.

Applicable to: Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2
Effective Date: [Insert Date]