How to skip the Product Activation in Windows XP?
A new system in Windows XP, intended to curb software piracy, requires every Windows XP user to call Microsoft (or connect via the web) to obtain a long product activation key for each installation. As though the 25-character CD key on the back of the CD package in previous versions of Windows wasn't enough, now users are expected to make a phone call to ask Microsoft's permission to use Windows XP.
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7.1.2006 Permanently Activate Windows Vista by Skip Activation with Patched TimerStop.sys Crack
Hackers are going all out to crack Windows Vista activation procedure which is enhanced by Software Protection Platform (SPP).
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20.12.2006 Windows Server activation flaw negates activation requirement
A flaw in how Microsoft Windows Server 2008 calculates the time remaining until it must be activated could enable users to potentially run the server for years before activation. The defect is a consequence of Microsoft failing to assess its virtualization strategy, says an analyst.
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23.2.2009 Skip Vista and wait for Windows 7
Businesses that have not yet begun a deployment of Windows Vista should skip the operating system and start preparing for Windows 7, analysts at Gartner have advised.
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18.5.2009 Windows 7 debut in 2009? Another reason to skip Vista
If Windows 7 really is scheduled to make an appearance during the second half of 2009, does this mean that making the move to Vista is now a pointless effort?
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18.1.2008 Reasons to skip Microsoft’s Windows 7 Beta download
As many of you know, I’m a hardcore Mac guy - but I wasn’t always this way. My experiences with Windows Vista sent me over the edge, prompting me to add the “hardcore” next to my “Mac guy” title.
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11.1.2009 XP SP3 and Windows 7, the Wrong Reasons to Skip Vista SP1
In the evolution of the Windows client, Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is a step set firmly between Windows XP SP2 and Windows 7, just as well as the RTM version of the operating system.
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29.4.2008 Microsoft to Skip Vista Beta 2
Redmond is planning to rely more on Community Technology Previews for Windows input, and has two new Vista test builds planned for the next two calendar quarters.
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28.1.2006 Windows VISTA Activation!
This small program allow us to activate the 30 day 's trial of windows Vista, Vista is well known for its "High Security" ( as microsoft said).
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1.1.2006 Windows 7 Seven Activation CRACK
Here are 3 versions Windows 7 Seven Activation CRACKs for you - Time stop crack..
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28.12.2008 Windows 7 Activation Keys
It really looks as if the only topic left to discuss on this blog is Windows 7 LOL! Again, I’m here with another Windows 7-related post, which I think will be loved by all who have been trying to get their hands on a Windows 7 activation key.
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1.11.2009 Windows VISTA 5342 Activation!
This small program allow us to activate the 30 day 's trial of windows Vista build 5342, Vista is well known for its "High Security" ( as microsoft said :-)
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29.3.2006 Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0
Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) isn’t the only Microsoft anti-piracy scheme that might raise the hackles of future Vista customers. Volume Activation 2.0 is worrying some Vista testers who’ve had a chance to dabble with early versions of that technology.
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3.10.2006 About Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0
Computer professionals come across the word "Software piracy". It is related to copying, installing and making use of the software without legally purchasing the software.
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27.12.2006 Windows Vista Activation Problems
Windows Vista has had everything but an easy ride since it hit the shelves in January 2007. The operating system was plagued by a luxuriant variety of problems from hardware and software incompatibilities to lack of support and poor performance and reliability.
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23.11.2007 Pirates navigate around Windows 7 activation again
Pirates have put together tools to remove and disable Windows Activation Technologies (WAT) in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, and also take care of all the side effects.
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11.11.2009 Windows XP Activation Social Crack
Nik Cubrilovic write this pretty smart "cracking method" :-) I just upgraded to the latest BETA of parallels desktop for Mac (it just keeps getting better, this beta version is awesome - but more on that in a later post) and because there are so many new features (better USB support, device support, etc.) when I restarted Windows XP, it asked me to activate again.
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5.1.2007 Common Errors during Windows Vista Activation
Thanks to Matt for this super article! The following error code or error message may appear when users try to activate Windows Vista: An error has occurred.
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21.2.2007 Currently the BEST and EASIEST Windows Vista Activation Cracks
There are quite a lot of Windows Vista cracks around the Internet nowadays. You wouldn't know which one actually works. There's a crack from DR CHANG and it has screenshot proof that his crack works. However, Microsoft very quickly retaliate by releasing an update on "Windows Update - Vista Validation" which makes DR CHANG's crack unusable. Here are a few methods of activating Windows Vista based on what I read on forums and websites.
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20.3.2007 How to Bypass Windows Server 2008 Activation
In Windows Server 2008 (and previous Microsoft operating systems) you must activate your computer in order to use it legally.
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9.3.2008 Windows 7 Activation Tool Kit BETA 1.8
Orbit30 releases a Windows 7 activation tool and a Windows Vista / 7 tweaker. - Windows 7 Activation Tool Kit BETA 1.8 | 25.4 Mb
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23.7.2009 Collection of Windows 7 RTM Activation Cracks
New Win7 activation toolkit. This time it’s combined Orbit30 And Hazar’s methods into one crack. Just get yourself Windows 7 releases from GRP or WZT, choose one of the activation methods and you’re good to go. Read instructions first.
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1.11.2009 Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0 Technical Guidance
Technical documentation focusing on planning, deployment and operational guidance.
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6.12.2006 The Evolution of the Windows XP SP3 Activation Architecture
With the availability of the third and final service pack for Windows XP in early 2008, Microsoft will introduce a series of modifications to the operating system's fabric.
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28.12.2007 Windows 7 build 7048 activation crack - TimerNuke
Our users report to us Windows 7 build 7048 activation crack - TimerNukeSetup.zip v. 1.0.5.0. Does it work?
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9.3.2009 Windows 7 RTM Activation Cracks Available for Download in the Wild
It was only a matter of time before methods designed to illegally circumvent the antipiracy measures in Windows 7 made their way into the wild.
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14.11.2009 Windows 7 RTM Activation Crack: Live in the Wild
Windows 7 RTM Activation is hacked for keyless activation, this time it doesn’t require an OEM key at all, and instead bypasses the verification DLL completely.
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16.11.2009 NEW Activation crack for Windows Server 2008 SP1 x64
Ok How Active Windows Server 2008 ? Super Simple!!!
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17.10.2008 Windows 7 RC Build 7100 Activation Product Keys
Windows 7 Release Candidate Build 7100 is now available for public download straight from Microsoft. In parallel, users can also access Windows Server 2008 R2 RC, which went live concomitantly with the client flavor of Windows 7.
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5.5.2009 Fix Windows 7 Activation Status Not Available or SLMgr 0×80070422 Error
Windows 7 displays the system activation status in System Properties, which can be accessed via Control Panel -> System and Security -> System. However, sometimes, Windows activation may display error message which saying activation status not available, together with product ID which is also not available.
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6.11.2009Windows Server activation flaw negates activation requirement
A flaw in how Microsoft Windows Server 2008 calculates the time remaining until it must be activated could enable users to potentially run the server
for years before activation. The defect is a consequence of Microsoft failing to assess its virtualization strategy, says an analyst...
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18.02.2009The Windows Vista Activation Forum
Do you have questions or issues regarding Windows Vista Activation? Then the
Windows Vista Activation forum is the thing
for you. The forum offers a new dedicated resource to assist in answering both technical and licensing questions regarding MAK, VAMT, KMS, planning,
deployment, operations and other aspects of Volume Licensing Activation v 2.0 in Windows Vista.
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23.09.2008Hackers Find New Vista Activation Crack
With all the talk about
Microsoft's stepped up
efforts to curb piracy through
Vista's new activation
methods, it may all be for
naught after some crafty
hackers figured out a way to
crack the Vista Activation
Server...
betanews.com -
09.12.2006Product Activation for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008
All editions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 are required to complete activation within the first 30 days of use. This bulletin helps
customers and partners better understand the technologies used by product activation for editions distributed through retail, original equipment
manufacturer, and volume licensing channels. Also discussed is how the hardware hash component of the installation ID is created and the scenarios in
which a copy of Windows may have to be re-activated due to a substantial hardware modification.
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07.11.2007Official Way to Use Vista without Activation 120 Days
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.
Read full story.....
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22.02.2007Microsoft changes 'Windows Genuine Advantage' name
Microsoft will be changing to name of it's activation and validation system from "Windows Genuine Advantage" to "Windows Activation
Technologies" according to a report by Mary-Jo Foley. However, the "Genuine" brand isn't completely disappearing. A press release states that
Microsoft will continue to deliver genuine updates and notifications for XP users. The program has been criticized for its punishment tactics and
false-positive results, even though Microsoft has fixed some of these problems in Vista SP1. According to Microsoft, Windows 7's activation will
be built on the same software protection platform that was part of Vista, with some minor tweaks made for Windows 7.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
08.05.2009Microsoft to ease XP activation with SP3
Microsoft Corp. will change how users activate Windows XP when Service Pack 3 launches in the first half of 2008, a company white paper said.
New installations of Windows XP SP3 will give users the same 30-day grace period currently offered to Windows Vista customers before they're
required to enter a product activation key, the 25-character code that proves the copy is legitimate.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
28.12.2007Gartner: Large businesses shouldn't skip Vista
Planning to skip Windows Vista altogether, waiting for Microsoft's next operating system?
For some companies, it's a tempting
option, but they need to consider it carefully, or they could end up feeling some pain down the line, according to analyst group Gartner.
Gartner said companies have "significantly delayed" the start of their Windows Vista migrations, with most planning to begin deployment in
late 2008 or even 2009, making some think of skipping Vista altogether.
winbeta.org -
07.12.2007Half of Pirated Vista is Malware
According to security vendor
DriveSentry, about half of
downloads claiming to be free
versions of Microsoft Windows
Vista are in fact malicious
Trojan horses. With Vista's
consumer launch just days
away, discussion boards and
peer-to-peer networks are full
of offers of "cracked"
versions of Windows Vista. The
downloaded programs claim to
skip Vista's activation
process but are in fact
malicious key-logging software
and spyware. This isn't
anything new though, the same
deal occurred with Windows XP.
Pirated versions of Vista have
been in circulation for
several months now, and one
called "Windows Vista All
Versions Activation 21.11.06"
has already been identified as
a Trojan. It's an effective
technique, said John Lynch,
vice president of sales and
marketing for DriveSentry.
" Someone that's stealing
the software to begin with is
not going to raise a fuss if
the software turns out to be
malicious ."
neowin.net -
26.01.2007Volume Activation 2.0: Another Potential Vista Gotcha?
Windows Genuine Advantage
(WGA) isn't the only
Microsoft anti-piracy scheme
that might raise the hackles
of future Vista customers.
Volume Activation 2.0 is
worrying some Vista testers
who've had a chance to dabble
with early versions of that
technology.
Potential false positives -
Microsoft labeling legitimate
copies of Windows as
"pirated" - akin to those
which have been documented in
WGA by Windows expert Ed Bott
and others, are just one
problem business users are
anticipating with Volume
Activation 2.0. Increased
costs resulting from the
management of Volume
Activation systems is another,
they say.
For those
who've yet to hear about it,
Volume Activation is a new
digital-license activation
technology aimed at
businesses. It's part of the
larger "Software Protection
Platform" that Microsoft is
constructing to combat piracy.
In short, Microsoft is not
going to allow enterprises to
operate on an honor system,
when it comes to proving how
many copies of Windows
they've paid to license. Just
like it does with individual
Windows users, Microsoft is
going to start requiring
companies to authenticate
their new versions of Windows
within 30 days of
installing.
neowin.net -
03.10.2006Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) for Windows 7
The Windows® Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK) is a set of tools and documentation that support the configuration and deployment of Windows®
operating systems. By using Windows AIK, you can automate Windows installations, capture Windows images with ImageX, configure and modify images using
Deployment Imaging Servicing and Management (DISM), create Windows PE images, and migrate user profiles and data with the User State Migration Tool
(USMT). Windows AIK also includes the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT), which enables IT professionals to automate and centrally manage the
volume activation process using a Multiple Activation Key (MAK).
winbeta.org -
07.08.2009Microsoft releases activation exploit detection update
Microsoft has released an update for Windows Vista designed to detect activation exploits that bypass product activation and that interfere with usual
Windows operation. This update is tagged as KB940510.
According to Microsoft "when the update is installed, no functionality of your
operating system will be affected. If no exploits are detected, the update silently exits. If exploits are detected, you will be provided a link to a
Web site that describes how you can remove the exploits. When the exploits are removed, you may be asked to use a valid product key to activate your
copy of Windows. If you do not want to remove the exploits, Windows may disable the exploits and then ask you to use a valid product key to activate
Windows."
neowin.net -
27.02.2008Windows Automated Installation Kit for Windows 7 RC
The Windows® Automated Installation Kit (Windows AIK) is a set of tools and documentation that support the configuration and deployment of Windows®
operating systems. By using Windows AIK, you can automate Windows installations, capture Windows images with ImageX, configure and modify images using
Deployment Imaging Servicing and Management (DISM), create Windows PE images, and migrate user profiles and data with the User State Migration Tool
(USMT). Windows AIK also includes the Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT), which enables IT professionals to automate and centrally manage the
volume activation process using a Multiple Activation Key (MAK).
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05.05.2009Product Activation Changes and Impacts on Windows Server 2008
Today the Windows group announced some changes in their increased efforts against piracy and new steps being taken to protect Windows Vista (see
here for details). These changes are coming in
Windows Vista SP1 (due out in Q1 2008). Along with disabling some of the known exploits that counterfeiters are using, changes are being made to
product activation. Specifically, the Reduced Functionality Mode (RFM) is being replaced with new notifications to let customers know that their
systems are not genuine when they do not activate or when their systems fail validation.
So what does this mean for Windows
Server 2008?
winbeta.org -
04.12.2007iPhone Activation and Syncing Video
Besides announcing rate plans
today, Apple
has
also posted a video
demonstrating how to activate
and sync the iPhone.
The iPhone is activated
through iTunes. Activation
works for both existing and
new AT&T customers, and allows
users to transfer their
existing phone number to the
iPhone.
The syncing
portion of the video
demonstrates how to sync email
accounts, address, safari
bookmarks and more...
winbeta.org -
27.06.2007Microsoft Responds to Reported OEM BIOS Hacks
The WGA team have finally
provided a written response to
the reported OEM BIOS Hacks
regarding Vista:
I
know many of you are aware of
reports of hacks that attempt
to exploit our OEM BIOS based
activation. We're aware of
this type of hack and I wanted
to take a minute to describe
how these work and how we plan
to respond.
First, what is OEM BIOS
based activation?
Here's a little more
information on how OEM BIOS
based activation works. This
form of product activation is
also known as OEM Activation
or just OA, which is how
Microsoft refers to it and how
I will refer to it in this
post. Back at the launch of
Windows XP when Microsoft
introduced Windows Product
Activation, we recognized that
as easy as end-user activation
is, it still represented an
extra step.
neowin.net -
12.04.2007Another Vista Activation Crack Appears
Buzz about a Windows Vista
zero-day vulnerability is
troubling enough (although
probably overblown). Now,
there appears to be a second
product activation hack, this
one designed to fool the
activation timer into not
counting down. The activation
hack is quite different from
the first one, which involved
setting up a Key Management
Service server. Microsoft also
released an update blocking
hybrid testing/final Vista
"Monster" code that could
bypass product activation.
"Recently it has been
reported that activation of
Microsoft's Windows Vista
operating system has been
compromised," a Microsoft
spokesperson said in a
statement in response to a
Microsoft Watch inquiry.
"Microsoft is investigating
this reported activation
breach; however, there is no
concrete evidence that this
breach has been automated to
the point that it is widely
deployable." The not "widely
deployable" statement, while
likely true, isn't denial of
an actual activation breach.
I've read
instructions, which I won't
link to, and comments from
people successfully trying the
so-called Time Stopper hack; I
haven't tested it and
wouldn't because of possible
security breach when applying
a downloaded crack as part of
the process. As the Microsoft
spokesperson acknowledged,
there are reports about the
crack, which requires setting
a computer's BIOS clock to
2099. The hack does work on
32-bit Windows Vista
installations but not
necessarily 64-bit versions.
The process requires some
other Windows changes and
eventual clock reset from
within Vista leading to a
perpetual state of 30 days to
activation.
neowin.net -
28.12.2006Troubleshooting KMS Activation - Part 1, the client
Windows activation is simple and straightforward if you understand the components. I have had a few customers that stumbled when getting a KMS online
and in every case it has been an issue with name resolution, network connectivity, or they simply did not understand how to use the keys.
Activation is designed to help you with deployments and sustain your environment even in the event a key gets lost. KMS is the simplest
of all the activation methods because you only need to worry about putting a key in one machine. You can then deploy new machines without having to
ever worry about keys unless your device will be off the network for more than 6 months.
This is the first of a two part series
to break down KMS troubleshooting in to a process that should help identify exactly what is at fault. I don't want to mislead or instill fear to
those who are just starting out - the process is normally simple by design. However, for those who have run in to trouble, I'd like to publish a
guide that will help you isolate and correct the issue you've encountered without spinning your wheels. Part 2 will be published next week with a
focus on troubleshooting the server.
winbeta.org -
08.10.2007'WGA' no more: Microsoft puts new spin on anti-piracy tools
Microsoft is dropping the "Windows Genuine Advantage" name from its product activation and validation technologies as it prepares for Windows 7's
release. The company
said this morning that
it will instead use the name "Windows Activation Technologies" for the anti-piracy tools in Windows 7 and the existing Windows Vista operating
system.
winbeta.org -
07.05.2009Microsoft Seals Cracks
With the impending release of Service Pack 1 for Vista, Microsoft looks to slow down the pirates by cutting off two popular hacks to circumvent the
Windows Genuine Advantage Program.
Testing both these methods of circumventing Windows activation and Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA)
has shown me that SP1 effectively ignores both these hacks. Systems that previously were shown to be genuine prior to the installation of SP1 then
require activation - and if the system isn’t activated it is marked at non-genuine and enters the nag state.
jcxp.net -
11.02.2008
