Official Way to Install and Use Windows Vista without Activation for Free for 120 Days
By default, Windows Vista can be installed, used and run without any license, product key or the need of activation for 30 days grace period, for purpose of trial or evaluation. Although Microsoft initially stressed that users should purchase a license with valid product key before the trial period expires, or else Windows Vista will lock into Reduced Functionality Mode. However, a “rearm” method has long since been discovered to be able to extend, or reset the remaining time for activation to another fresh 30 days, for up to 3 times.
Now Microsoft has confirmed that Windows Vista can be used and run for 120 days or 4 months (3 rearms), and extending the activation grace period is not a violation of the Vista End User License Agreement (EULA). All versions of Vista include Windows Vista Ultimate allow a 30-day free period without activation, except the corporate-oriented Vista Enterprise, which supports only a three-day trial.
By default, Windows Vista can be installed, used and run without any license, product key or the need of activation for 30 days grace period, for purpose of trial or evaluation. Although Microsoft initially stressed that users should purchase a license with valid product key before the trial period expires, or else Windows Vista will lock into Reduced Functionality Mode. However, a “rearm” method has long since been discovered to be able to extend, or reset the remaining time for activation to another fresh 30 days, for up to 3 times.
Now Microsoft has confirmed that Windows Vista can be used and run for 120 days or 4 months (3 rearms), and extending the activation grace period is not a violation of the Vista End User License Agreement (EULA). All versions of Vista include Windows Vista Ultimate allow a 30-day free period without activation, except the corporate-oriented Vista Enterprise, which supports only a three-day trial.
To extend, reset or restart the initial OOB grace period of Windows Vista to another 30 days, use the following steps:
- Click on Vista Start button and key in Cmd in Start Search box.
- Press on Ctrl-Shift-Enter to open Command Prompt with administrative credentials (equivalent to “Run as Administrator”).
- In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter when done: slmgr -rearm or you can use sysprep /generalize
- Reboot the computer.
- Rearm again when the remaining activation grace period timer counts down to 0 days.
Extend your Vista "Trial" to a 120 Days: A month old....
Anyway, it's a good hack! Props to MS for including it. BTW, it wasn't "discovered," MS published it
It's a good trick.
If you haven't actually bought Vista, would it matter if you were violating the EULA?
Piracy
Piracy
Piracy
Piracy
Piracy
Oh btw here is this official loophole that allows you to use our OS for 120 days without a key.
Piracy
Piracy
Piracy
I love Microsoft.
You need to think more laterally ...
Your free to borrow and install any copy of Windows from any CD including ones you have "Copied" or "borrowed" off a mate. It only becomes piracy when you enter an illegal product key or hack the product key / activation system.
Some things I have noticed and haven't been able to remove restrictions is that in this reduced mode, the system will only acknowledge 384 MB of memory. After Windows is loaded, you don't have much memory do to do any media playing except for audio.
Second, the machine will auto log you out, interrupting anything you may be doing, in 45 mins to 1 hour after logging in under "reduced functionality", so you have to keep an eye on time if you're doing something important.
Some people may wonder why I put up with this when my copy of Vista is legal, and the simple truth is that I plan to build an entirely new system and don't want to waste an activation...
Is it now legal to, for example, download a torrent of Vista as long as you only use the trial period?
Am I right? I think it's almost worth it. Every 4 months might be a good time to give your computer a clean install anyway. This way you get all the Ultimate features and Ultimate Extras!
Is there a source to this quote?
I mean, is this really true, or is this simply a bug someone is exploiting?
We cant give this %$# away."
translated to english here in this article.
http://www.digg.com/tech_news/Ballmer_Blam...oor_Vista_Sales
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