More information on the Vista SP1 activation hack
My post on the Vista SP1 activation hack has generated a lot of feedback (especially in the form of questions) from both individuals and other media outlets.
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12.2.2008 More information on the Vista SP1 activation hack
My post on the Vista SP1 activation hack has generated a lot of feedback (especially in the form of questions) from both individuals and other media outlets.
windows -
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12.2.2008 Vista SP1 Volume Activation 2.0 Resources Available
The introduction of Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista marked the evolution of various aspects of the Windows client with some reverberating all the way to Windows Server 2008 RTM/SP1.
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14.7.2008 Vista RTM Activation Error Fiesta Ahead of SP1
Microsoft's latest Windows client brought to the table in November 2006 (for businesses) and in January 2007 (for the general consumers) a revamped activation architecture.
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14.4.2008 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 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 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 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) isnt the only Microsoft anti-piracy scheme that might raise the hackles of future Vista customers. Volume Activation 2.0 is worrying some Vista testers whove had a chance to dabble with early versions of that technology.
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3.10.2006 Vista KMS activation server
This new KMS server, kms.vbs.net.cn (or vbs.net.cn), claims to operate 24 hours.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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20.3.2007 Vista Update Fingers Activation Cracks
Microsoft Corp. has been lowering expectations about Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) since before it even confirmed there would be one. Numerous times, company executives and managers have told users and the press that Vista SP1 would not be like Windows XP SP2, the last desktop operating system service pack the company released.
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23.2.2008 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.
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21.5.2007 Windows Vista Volume Activation 2.0 Technical Guidance
Technical documentation focusing on planning, deployment and operational guidance.
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6.12.2006 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
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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.
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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.
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26.2.2007 Rearm and Extend Activation Grace Period in Windows Vista and Server 2008
Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 has free activation grace period which allows user to install and use the operating system for 120 days and 240 days without product key or product activation completed.
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8.6.2008 New WGA Update to Detect and Nuke Windows Vista SoftMod Activation Crack
Microsoft has decided to tighten the grip on ability for pirates and crackers to crack and bypass Windows Vista activation scheme, by releasing an WGA update to Windows Vista Ultimate Edition based system that will detect the presence of SoftMod hack activation exploit, which is currently been pioneered by Vista Loader. However, its unclear if the WGA technology update will indeed detect both SoftMod and Vista Loader, or just SoftMod activation crack, which is the predecessor version to much enhanced Vista Loader.
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26.2.2009 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 .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 for XP SP3 and Vista SP1
Microsoft has made Service Pack 1 for .NET Framework 3.5 for Windows Server 2008 available for download. Designed to integrate seamlessly with Windows Vista SP1, Windows XP SP3, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008, .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 is now live on the Microsoft Download Center.
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11.8.2008Hackers 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 -
09.12.2006Microsoft 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 -
08.05.2009The 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.
winbeta.org -
23.09.2008Vista 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.
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23.02.2008Official 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 -
22.02.2007Microsoft 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 -
11.02.2008Microsoft 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 isnt activated it is marked at non-genuine and enters the nag state.
jcxp.net -
11.02.2008Why installing Vista SP1 might fail via Windows Update
When you try to install Windows Vista SP1 via Windows Update you can get error: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is not available for installation from
Windows Update and is not offered by Automatic Updates.
To help ensure a positive update experience, Windows Update will temporarily not
offer Windows Vista SP1 to systems that have the following device drivers. In some cases, these device drivers are problematic on Windows Vista-based
computers when you update to Windows Vista SP1. By installing updated device drivers, you will resolve the issue and enable Windows Update to offer
Windows Vista SP1.
Click read more to view a list of drivers that don't work well with Vista SP1:
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
20.03.2008Product 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 -
07.11.2007Product 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 -
04.12.2007Vista, Acronis TrueImage 11 and GRUB Error 22
Jonathan Schlaffer: Those of you with Vista know that there can be boot problems after you have cloned your existing installation to a faster or
larger hard drive (it works best when its both). And, sometimes after cloning, there can be
activation issues as well
which I have encountered in the past.
Some say those issues are gone due to updates to the way WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage)
works in Vista but Microsoft should rename their DRM protection system to Windows Genuine Annoyance.
These problems did not exist
under XP but it appears that Vista places undue importance on the hard drive when deciding whether or not to deactivate itself. I am aware that SP1
changes the way WGA works slightly but that cannot change what has happened in the past.
winbeta.org -
25.12.2007Photos: Installing Vista SP1 beta
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes: Earlier today I downloaded the standalone installer for Windows Vista SP1 build 6001.16659 and installed it on a few systems
to see what it was like -- and I thought you might like to take a look at it.
Don't expect huge UI changes after installing SP1
-- the changes are small and subtle. In fact, if you're not familiar with Windows Vista, you might miss the SP1 changes. I've put together an image
gallery showing some of the most significant changes.
winbeta.org -
28.09.2007Improved startup repair tool, media throttling among Vista SP1 changes
To reassure customers that it really has been addressing consumers' concerns about Vista, Microsoft has made its change log to Windows Vista SP1
publicly available early...
betanews.com -
11.12.2007Changes to UAC in Vista SP1: Much less than meets the eye
A video is making the rounds showing how Vista SP1 has significantly improved Vista's immensely annoying User Account Control (UAC). But there
appears to be less to the improvement than meets the eye --- hardly any changes were made to UAC in SP1, and it remains a very big Vista annoyance.
Microsoft blogger Michael Kleef
has
made a video that he says illustrates how much better UAC is under SP1 than before SP1. It very nicely shows that when you create a new folder in
Program Files, you only need to go through one UAC prompt under Vista SP1, rather than four previously.
winbeta.org -
17.05.2008Windows Vista SP1 Application Non-Compatibility List
Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista is an important update for Windows Vista. Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) contains many security, reliability, and
feature updates for Windows Vista. A program may experience a loss of functionality after you install Windows Vista SP1. However, most programs will
continue to work as expected after you install Windows Vista SP1.
This article lists programs that have been reported to
experience a loss of functionality when they are installed on a Windows Vista SP1-based computer.
winbeta.org -
19.02.2008Language Packs and Windows Vista SP1
Nick White: We have some information we'd like to share in regards to Windows Vista SP1 and folks running Language Packs. Some of you may have
noticed that after installing Windows Vista SP1 on Windows Vista Ultimate - the Language Packs fail to appear on Windows Update (
KB947875).
We will be releasing Windows Vista SP1 in two
"waves". The first wave will only provide Windows Vista SP1 to Windows Vista Ultimate PCs running the following 5 Languages: English, French,
German, Japanese and Spanish. The second wave will follow shortly after - supporting all 36 languages.
winbeta.org -
04.03.2008Vista SP1 to be just 45MB over Windows Update?
Mary Jo Foley got a chance to
see a note sent to certain
testers of Vista SP1 earlier
this month and quite a few
interesting factoids have
turned up in it:
Q: How big is SP1?
A: Windows Vista
SP1 is approximately 45 MB
when delivered over Windows
Update and is designed to not
significantly change the UI or
regress application
compatibility.
Q: What are some examples
of support for emerging
technologies and
standards?
A:
With SP1, Windows Vista can
boot via EFI (Extensible
Firmware Interface) on an x64
machine. SP1 supports ExFAT, a
new file format that will be
used in flash memory storage
and consumer devices Support
for SD Advanced DMA Support to
improve transfer performance
and decrease CPU utilization
is part of SP1
winbeta.org -
30.07.2007The Vista SP1 saga: the best ad for Mac and Linux yet?
Alex Zaharov-Reutt: First, it was a 5 year delay for Vista minus plenty of features, drivers and software compatibility. A year later, Vista SP1
launches, but few can get it yet. Then two SP1 pre-updates launch, only to have many reports of endless rebooting. What more can Microsoft do to
convince people to try a Mac or Linux?
I wouldnt exactly call the delay of Vista SP1 a comedic situation, but the whole thing
seems to have gone from comedic to shambolic in less than three weeks since the February 4 announcement that Vista SP1 had gone to RTM.
winbeta.org -
21.02.2008Vista SP1 x86 appears on Torrent Sites
In the last few days, certain Neowin forum members have reported that an image of Vista SP1 x86 Final has leaked to torrent sites. This file is
supposedly a slipstreamed image of the final Service Pack 1 for Vista x86. It is allegedly available in various languages, including English. Since
many believe that this is indeed the download that Microsoft will provide in the upcoming weeks, I would like to emphasize that this is not the case.
This release is not official, nor is it genuine. I repeat: Vista SP1 has not gone final.
Neowin members are reporting that the file in
question may be SP1 Refresh 2 slipstreamed or simply a malware-filled release. I would like to remind our members not to post links to any Vista SP1
build, unless it comes directly from Microsoft’s servers.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
28.01.2008Windows 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
