KezNews.com
DownloadsOther NewsForumBlogsWallpapersJokewareSearch

News letter:


Enter Your E-mail:


Search in KezNews.com:







New Vista OEM Activation Hack - Vista Boot by gkend

Thanks to Steve Jobs for this article on his blog and to our forum members to clecha, Nighthief and fitterphil120 for most of the findings. One again the “Chinese” come up with a new method to trick out the Vista Activation. We have seen Softmode and VistaLoader, however “ Vista Boot by gkend” does promise even more.
download - comments - 21.5.2007

Vista Oem Activation Tool Kit 0.5 Beta

Thanks to Steve Jobs for this download. This is Vista Oem Activation Tool Kit 0.5 Beta by Steve Jobs @ Keznews forum
download - comments - 22.3.2007

Vista Oem Activation Tool Kit v1.5

Steve Jobs update his Vista Oem Activation Tool Kit For Vista 32bit and 64bit to version 1.5. Vista will be 100% genuine, all downloads will work.
download - comments - 3.4.2007

Dell, HP, and Sony OEM Certificates Used in Windows Vista Activation Crack

The latest trend in Windows Vista cracks is to utilize OEM certificates in order to bypass the activation process of the operating system. Via the OEM crack for Windows Vista, original equipment manufacturer versions of the operating system are illegally activated through a process that involves patching the BIOS of the motherboard.
windows - comments - 26.2.2007

New Vista OEM Activation Hack - Vista Boot by gkend

Thanks to Steve Jobs for this article on his blog and to our forum members to clecha, Nighthief and fitterphil120 for most of the findings. One again the “Chinese” come up with a new method to trick out the Vista Activation. We have seen Softmode and VistaLoader, however “ Vista Boot by gkend” does promise even more.
download - comments - 21.5.2007

How to Backup and Restore to Preserve OEM Offline Pre-Activation When Reinstall Windows XP

Most users of new computers with Windows XP pre-installed will notice that no activation is required after they unwrap and start up the new laptop or notebook PC, even though they need to go through the initial set up process, and a product key is found on the Certificate of Authenticity attached to the PC (COA Key). Large PC manufacturers known as Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) have the ability to pre-activate Windows XP operating system installed on new PCs via SLP (System Locked Preinstallation).
windows - comments - 3.9.2009

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.
windows - comments - 23.2.2009

Microsoft can't afford to support OEM Vista?

Microsoft might have $7.6 billion in spare cash in the bank, but when it comes to supporting users who purchase Vista on a new machine, the software giant is all too ready to cry poor.
windows - comments - 15.5.2007

Microsoft Windows Vista OEM Preinstallation Kit available

The Windows Vista Release Candidate 1 (RC1) OEM Presinstallation Kit is now available. Microsoft's Worldwide System Builder team would like system builders to experience the updated OEM Preinstallation Kit (OPK) tools which will be used to preinstall Windows Vista.
windows - comments - 16.10.2006

OEM versions of Vista Ultimate available for pre-order

hardgiant spotted over at overclockers.co.uk that Windows Vista Ultimate 32/64 OEM discs have been added at just £114.99, which when converted to USD comes to $262.750 plus tax. The full retail version costs £352.49 a whopping $685.235 after tax.
windows - comments - 4.1.2007

Vista OEM 'Express' upgrades stuck at the gate

Europeans who bought a new PC in time for Christmas and were persuaded that they would get a Vista upgrade soon after the rollout by redeeming a voucher, are learning that demand for the upgrades far outstrips "supply".
windows - comments - 18.2.2007

Vista Loader 2.2.0 OEM BIOS Crack Emulator

This is New version of Vista Loader 2.2.0 from Chinese hackers. With this you can force a bios emulation and let Vista think it's installed on a OEM machine.
download - comments - 20.5.2007

Microsoft to Kill the Grace Timer and OEM BIOS Windows Vista Cracks with Vista SP1

With the advent of Windows Vista, cracks also became available being designed to bypass the activation process of the operating system.
windows - comments - 4.12.2007

OEM Logo and Information for Windows Vista - Auto Patch

Thanks to Steve Jobs for this post in forum. You have successfully activate Windows Vista instantly in OEM style by using hardware-level BIOS ACPI-SLIC mod, or one of the two software based OEM BIOS emulator such as softmod SLIC BIOS bootloader and Paradox OEM BIOS Emulation Toolkit.
download - comments - 20.3.2007

Microsoft Confirms Windows Vista OEM BIOS Crack

Microsoft confirmed the fact that hackers have developed a valid Windows Vista crack designed to exploit the operating system's OEM BIOS activation.
windows - comments - 11.4.2007

Vista to Windows 7 Upgrades Kill Access to OEM Recovery Applications

Users that upgrade Windows Vista OEM computers to Windows 7 might find that the recovery applications set in place by the original equipment manufacturer are no longer accessible.
windows - comments - 9.10.2009

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).
download - comments - 1.1.2006

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 :-)
download - comments - 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.
windows - comments - 3.10.2006

Vista KMS activation server

This new KMS server, kms.vbs.net.cn (or vbs.net.cn), claims to operate 24 hours.
windows - comments - 9.12.2006

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.
windows - comments - 27.12.2006

Another 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.
windows - comments - 28.12.2006

Microsoft allows bypass of Vista activation

Microsoft has built into Vista a function that allows anyone to extend the operating system's activation deadline not just three times, but many times. The same one-line command that postpones Vista's activation deadline to 120 days can be used an indefinite number of times by first changing a Registry key from 0 to 1.
windows - comments - 16.3.2007

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.
windows - comments - 23.11.2007

E-mail from Microsoft: NO VISTA ACTIVATION REQUIRED

Microsoft has written to many 'concerned' users, about the activation in Vista Build 5342.
windows - comments - 31.3.2006

Pirates crack Vista Activation Server

Pirates have released another ingenious workaround to Vista's copy protection: a hacked copy of Microsoft's yet-to-be-released volume licencing activation server, running in VMware.
windows - comments - 9.12.2006

How to bypass Vista 30 days activation

Next way how to bypass Vista 30 days activation. This how to is for Windows Vista Ultimate Edition.
windows - comments - 29.12.2006

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.
windows - comments - 21.2.2007

Official Way to Use Vista without Activation 120 Days

Official Way to Install and Use Windows Vista without Activation for Free for 120 Days!
windows - comments - 22.2.2007

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.
windows - comments - 20.3.2007

Microsoft 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 - 12.04.2007

Windows 7 Ultimate cracked and activated with OEM master key

Windows 7 has yet to even be released officially to the general public, and already the dodgy folk on the Internet have fully cracked and activated the Ultimate version, with help from a leaked Lenovo OEM DVD .ISO file. The news comes from website My Digital Life who state that you can already pass Windows Genuine Advantage validation offline, OEM style. The leaked .ISO was originally posted on a Chinese forum, which was then downloaded in order for people to get hold of the boot.wim, and in turn retrieving the OEM-SLP key, plus the OEM activation certificate. Microsoft uses the same digitally signed OEM certificate, which has an .xrm-ms extension, as that in Windows Vista.

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 29.07.2009

Hackers 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 - 09.12.2006

The 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.




winbeta.org - 23.09.2008

Official 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.....
neowin.net - 22.02.2007

Vista Update Fingers Activation Cracks

Microsoft has announced an update available to consumers next week which will detect two cracks commonly used to activate pirated copies of the operating system. One of the cracks refered to as Grace Timer, extended Vista's activation grace period, upto 2099. The other called as OEM BIOS, modified system files and the PC's BIOS to mimic the product activation done by computer-makers at the factory. If the sniffer detects an activation hack, it will pop up a warning that includes a link to the removal tool. Although SP1 will block these two cracks, " it's important to note that this update does not disable the exploits it finds, " says Alex Kochis. " It simply alerts customers that exploits exist. " However, MS will release a separate crack-removal tool at the same time that it rolls out the detection update.


neowin.net - 23.02.2008

MS: It's Okay to Buy Vista OEM Software

Microsoft has given the go ahead for users to buy the low-cost OEM copies of Windows Vista now appearing on sites like Newegg.com; however, they would be expected to adhere to the licensing terms just like any other computer manufacturer...
betanews.com - 30.01.2007

Product 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.




winbeta.org - 07.11.2007

Microsoft Silently Rolls Out Anti-Hack Update For Vista

The release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 not only heralded a long-awaited update of the operating system, it also meant the end of two common Windows Vista anti-activation exploits - the Grace Timer exploit and the Paradox OEM BIOS activation crack. But those who think they can escape by not updating to Service Pack 1 would be sadly mistaken.

That's because Microsoft has surreptitiously released an anti-hack detection update via Windows Update. Those who chose to have Windows Vista install updates automatically would have this update installed and running by now. If you chose to manually select updates to be installed, you should find this update listed.


neowin.net - 12.05.2008

Microsoft slams the door on Vista pirates

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes: With the launch of SP1 Microsoft promised to put an end to two popular hacks used by pirates to allow a non-genuine install of Windows Vista to function in the same way as a genuine install. Testing that Ive carried out in the lab today suggests that Microsoft has been true to its word.



The two most common hacks used were the OEM BIOS hack and the grace timer hack (of which there were two flavors which were widespread).



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 isnt activated it is marked at non-genuine and enters the nag state.




winbeta.org - 11.02.2008

Microsoft can't afford to support OEM Vista?

Microsoft might have $7.6 billion in spare cash in the bank, but when it comes to supporting users who purchase Vista on a new machine, the software giant is all too ready to cry poor.

Conventional wisdom holds that if you feel the urge to upgrade to Windows Vista, buying it pre-installed on a new machine is the best way to go. The advantages are allegedly twofold: there should be fresh and functional drivers for all the built-in hardware, and you get OEM pricing (much lower than the retail $400-$700 price range) for your new OS.

That discount pricing comes with a nasty twist, however. Because you've purchased an OEM copy, Microsoft won't extend to you the courtesy of a 90-day support period for Vista, which it does offer to customers who struggle through the upgrade process on their existing machines. Instead, it will direct you straight back to your hardware manufacturer...
winbeta.org - 15.05.2007

Microsoft 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 - 08.05.2009

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...




winbeta.org - 18.02.2009

Volume 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 - 03.10.2006

Another 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 - 28.12.2006

Microsoft 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 - 28.12.2007

Consumer Versions of Windows Vista Available Early

The official launch of Windows Vista is planned for January 30. Some online retailers have, however, made the operating system available early. mwave.com states that it has Vista 32-bit Home Basic OEM for $89.90, Vista 32-bit Home Basic OEM 3-pack for $268.90 and Vista 32-bit Business OEM for $139.90, all in stock and ready to ship. Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate are currently unavailable. Customers are limited to two copies of Vista Home Basic OEM or Vista Business OEM and they must be purchased with hardware for licensing reasons. You can probably get away with ordering a really cheap piece of hardware and still saving a lot over the retail price of Vista. Overclockers UK has previously also started listing OEM versions of Vista.


neowin.net - 22.01.2007

The Problem with Bundling

Joe Wilcox: On Friday I spoke with two product executives from a major OEM about some forthcoming new PCs and notebooks. During the conversation, I asked about their Windows Media Center strategy. The OEM no longer has one, and Vista integration is the reason.



The response is surprising, because Media Center integration into Vista was supposed to benefit Microsoft, its customers and partners. But that's not how this OEM sees it. Reasoning: The discreet SKU's disappearance makes Media Center differentiation more difficult among OEMs, so there is no real competitive advantage. The product executives expressed concern that Media Center promotion for the OEM's products might benefit competitors.



The conversation was a broad indictment of Microsoft's whole Vista SKU strategy. Rather than differentiate products around Vista SKUs, the OEM has instead returned to emphasizing performance metrics and made product design a greater priority. That's opposite the intention of Microsoft's Vista SKU strategy, which was supposed to encourage greater differentiation around operating system capabilities.




winbeta.org - 10.12.2007

Product 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 - 04.12.2007

Windows Vista SP1 Update Available via Microsoft OEM site

It looks like Microsoft has posted the final Vista SP1 bits to their OEM site which is accessible to anyone that registers. The file is a 1.13GB .img which combines the 32-bit and 64-bit update executables into one image:




winbeta.org - 12.02.2008