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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

WindowBlinds 5 download

Customize the look and feel of Windows XP with WindowBlinds. It's a Windows utility that enables users to personalize nearly every aspect of the Windows graphical user interface. It can "skin" your title bars, push buttons, Start bar, radio buttons, and nearly every other part of Windows.
download - comments - 8.1.2006

WindowBlinds 5 FULL

WindowBlinds is a program that enables Windows users to completely change the look and feel of the Windows user interface. Users customize Windows by using visual styles (skins) created for WindowBlinds.
download - comments - 31.12.2006

Windowblinds 5.5 final

Stardock released WindowBlinds 5.5 today. WindowBlinds is a program that enables users to customize the look and feel of the graphical user interface of Microsoft Windows.
download - comments - 14.3.2007

WindowBlinds 6 Released

Stardock has released the highly anticipated WindowBlinds 6 today. WindowBlinds is a utility that allows users to change the look and feel of the Windows desktop experience by applying skins to the user interface.
download - comments - 3.10.2007

5imple WindowBlinds skin

I made this skin for the PlanetAMD64 Skinning Contest (got second place) http://www.planetamd64.com/ Link This is version have some small changes like some settings tweaks to make the skin faster and more. I tried a design to make the skin easy to use everyday, all parts are skinned.

5imple
Click for full size

download - comments -

DOWNLOAD WindowBlinds Enhanced 5.0


WindowBlinds is a program that allows you to completely change the look and feel of Windows to however you want it to look like. WindowBlinds allows you to completely customize your desktop look by changing the style of title buttons, bars and toolbars.
download - comments - 7.12.2005

Vista SKIN for windowblinds 5

Customize the look and feel of Windows XP with WindowBlinds. It's a Windows utility that enables users to personalize nearly every aspect of the Windows graphical user interface.
download - comments - 21.2.2006

WindowBlinds 5 Brings Vista UI to XP

One of the most anticipated features in Windows Vista is its redesigned user interface that features glass-like title bars and alpha blended windows. But with the upgrade a year away, Stardock has released WindowBlinds 5 to offer Windows XP users the same capabilities right now.

Version 5 of Stardock's flagship Windows customization software has been in the works for over a year, according to company CEO Brad Wardell. Initially, Wardell's team was dubious that such features could be added without severe performance lag to Windows XP, which lacks Vista's new advanced graphics subsystem.
windows - comments - 30.11.2005

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

Office 2007 activation

A lot of people are searching for some solutions, for example "How activate Office 2007?" or "How to crack Office 2007". I will prepare the most searching phrases to discuss.
microsoft - comments - 7.1.2007

OneCare Activation Explained

Our customers have a lot of questions about OneCare activation and want to know exactly what it is all about. We commonly hear feedback from customers who say that activation is only for the purposes of adding a second PC, but it is much more than that.
microsoft - comments - 26.5.2007

IE Automatic Component Activation Now Available

Jefferson Fletcher: The IE Automatic Component Activation (IE ACA) update is now available as part of the April 2008 Internet Explorer Cumulative Update.
microsoft - comments - 9.4.2008

Windows 7 Seven Activation CRACK

Here are 3 versions Windows 7 Seven Activation CRACKs for you - Time stop crack..
download - comments - 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, Im 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.
windows - comments - 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 :-)
download - comments - 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.
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

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.
windows - comments - 11.11.2009

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.
windows - comments - 7.1.2006

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

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.
windows - comments - 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.
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

WindowBlinds 5 Brings Vista UI to XP

One of the most anticipated features in Windows Vista is its redesigned user interface that features glass-like title bars and alpha blended windows. But with the upgrade a year away, Stardock has released WindowBlinds 5 to offer Windows XP users the same capabilities right now.

Photos: View images of WindowBlinds 5..
betanews.com - 30.11.2005

WindowBlinds 6 Alters Vista Interface

Stardock has released version 6 of its popular WindowBlinds user interface skinning application, which is the first tool that can overhaul the look of Windows Vista - from the Taskbar to window borders and buttons...
betanews.com - 03.10.2007

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

Stardock WindowBlinds 6 transforms Windows XP, Vista user experience

Stardock, the worlds largest Windows customization company, released the highly anticipated sixth version of WindowBlinds today. With over 12 million downloads on CNETs Download.com, WindowBlinds is a utility that allows users to change the look and feel of the Windows desktop experience by applying skins to the user interface. WindowBlinds can change title bars, push buttons, Start bars, scrollbars and nearly every other element of the Windows user interface. The software is $19.95 and can be downloaded directly from www.windowblinds.net.



A WindowBlinds skin can change Windows to look like an alternative operating system, favorite sports car brands, favorite sports team, or virtually anything else. With modern video cards, WindowBlinds can do this without reducing performance. WindowBlinds 6 adds the ability to have blurred glass window borders on Windows XP which allows artists to make skins that could make Windows XP look virtually identical to Windows Vista.



Additionally, WindowBlinds 6 adds full support for customizing Microsofts new Windows Vista operating system. Everything from Internet Explorer 7 skinning, Sidebar skinning to explorer backgrounds, WindowBlinds 6 skins virtually every element of Windows Vista while making full use of the hardware acceleration features on Windows Vista for maximum performance.




winbeta.org - 03.10.2007

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

GUI Championships 2008: Most original visual styles

The final days of the 2008 GUI Championships are approaching, and today we announce the winners in the Most Original WindowBlinds category. The winners in this category were voted on after the panel of judges determined the finalists. 1st Place - Plastic Fantastic by vStyler 2nd Place - FLASH Live System by 1MrPAul1 3rd Place - Dream Loricae by bingxueling These WindowBlinds skins, along with all the others submitted, can be downloaded for free at www.guichamps.com

Read full story.....
neowin.net - 18.12.2008

Windows Vista gets skinned

Software developer Stardock released WindowBlinds 6 today. Amongst the new features includes the ability to customize the entire Windows Vista user interface as well as the capability to give Windows XP users the look and feel of Aero (Vista).

CNET.com has taken a look at the new version and highlighted just how close to Vista WindowBlinds can visually bring XP. WindowBlinds 6 can even do the blur effect on XP with superior performance to the same hardware on Windows Vista. Computerworld has pointed out that programs like WindowBlinds force Microsoft to make a stronger case for Windows Vista and in particular Windows Vista Ultimate (which Stardock is also involved with).


neowin.net - 03.10.2007

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

iPhone 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 - 27.06.2007

Official Way to Use Vista without Activation 120 Days

Official Way to Install and Use Windows Vista without Activation for Free for 120 Days

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

WindowBlinds 5.1 released

Stardock has released a new version of its popular Windows skinning utility, WindowBlinds.  WindowBlinds is a program that enables users to completely change the look and feel of the entire Windows user interface -- title bars, push buttons, scrollbars, the Start bar, and more. 

WindowBlinds 5.1 includes new wallpaper changing functionality allowing users to provide a series of wallpapers that can change by the time of day or other criteria specified by the user.  It also includes months of updates to enable WindowBlinds skins to be more compatible on software that has its own unusual interface controls along with faster performance.  WindowBlinds 5.1 works on Windows XP in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

WindowBlinds works by integrating itself seamlessly into Windows XP to add support for thousands of visual styles that are available on the net. Starting with WindowBlinds 5, the program actually can improve overall performance thanks to making use of 3D acceleration on most video cards.  Its engine supports alpha blending which allows skins to have smooth edges, glass-effects, and other visual improvements.  It is the only program of its kind that is certified by Microsoft for use on Windows XP.

WindowBlinds is also used by dozens of companies to create their own custom looks for Windows including Blizzard (World of Warcraft skin), Microsoft, Alienware, ExtremeTech, and more.  Users can also create their own skins using Stardock SkinStudio, a free program that provides a host of tools to make skin creation easier.

WindowBlinds 5 recently passed the 11 MILLION download mark on CNET's Download.com and has been the most popular desktop enhancement download on CNET (and elsewhere) for over 50 consecutive weeks.

WindowBlinds 5.1 is available as a free download at http://www.windowblind s.net.  Users can upgrade to the enhanced registered version for ร.95 or they can purchase Object Desktop which provides not just WindowBlinds but over two-dozen other popular desktop enhancement such as IconPackager, DesktopX, ObjectBar, WindowFX, and more.  
neowin.net - 12.10.2006

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

Windowblinds comes to Vista

Version 5.5 of WindowBlinds has been designed to enable Windows Vista to become skinnable. This is no easy task for a number of reasons. The biggest reason has to do with the new Desktop Window Manager (DWM). While technically WindowBlinds could have hacked its way to work on Vista, it was important that WindowBlinds work natively on Vista and that means using the new 3D composited desktop. By using the DWM you get hardware acceleration and a ton of other possible effects.

The second challenge was making visual styles (skins) made for Windows XP work on Windows Vista without parts missing. So Stardock developed "Smart Skinning" in which graphical elements in XP skins are translated to take care of new parts in Windows Vista.


neowin.net - 16.11.2006

GUI Championships - Icon finalists

The GUI Championships has announced the finalists for most creative icon package and most usable icon package.  Thank you to everyone from Neowin.net who voted for the finalists.  Now, our own Steve (Neobond) from Neowin along with Chris Pirillo from Lockergnome, Nate Mook from Betanews.com, Angelo Sotira from deviantART amongst others will judge the final entries.  
And now...only you can prevent the GUI skins (using WindowBlinds) that judges see from being all "fugly"(tm).  Head over to the GUI Championships site, check out the various WindowBlinds skins and vote for the one that you find to be the most usable.   View: Finalists for the most creative & most usable icons
neowin.net - 17.10.2006

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

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

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

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

IE Automatic Component Activation Now Available

Jefferson Fletcher: The IE Automatic Component Activation (IE ACA) update is now available as part of the April 2008 Internet Explorer Cumulative Update. The "click to activate" behavior, formerly required for ActiveX controls embedded in some webpages, is now permanently removed from Internet Explorer. For detailed information on IE ACA, see our blog post from last November announcing this update.

This update replaces the IE ACA previews released in December 2007 and February 2008.


neowin.net - 09.04.2008

Troubleshooting 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