Use Vista for free for 120 days legally.

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  • JakeS
    Senior Member
    • Jul 2005
    • 1975

    Use Vista for free for 120 days legally.

    People cursed me down last time saying that this was illegal, but they were wrong.

    By default, Windows Vista can be installed, used and run without any license, product key or the need of activation for 30 days grace period, for purpose of trial or evaluation. Although Microsoft initially stressed that users should purchase a license with valid product key before the trial period expires, or else Windows Vista will lock into Reduced Functionality Mode. However, a “rearm” method has long since been discovered to be able to extend, or reset the remaining time for activation to another fresh 30 days, for up to 3 times.

    Now Microsoft has confirmed that Windows Vista can be used and run for 120 days or 4 months (3 rearms), and extending the activation grace period is not a violation of the Vista End User License Agreement (EULA). All versions of Vista include Windows Vista Ultimate allow a 30-day free period without activation, except the corporate-oriented Vista Enterprise, which supports only a three-day trial.

    To extend, reset or restart the initial OOB grace period of Windows Vista to another 30 days, use the following steps:

    1. Click on Vista Start button and key in Cmd in Start Search box.
    2. Press on Ctrl-Shift-Enter to open Command Prompt with administrative credentials (equivalent to “Run as Administrator”).
    3. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter when done: slmgr -rearm or you can use sysprep /generalize
    4. Reboot the computer.
    5. Rearm again when the remaining activation grace period timer counts down to 0 days.

    Rearm option resets the computer’s activation timer and reinitializes some activation parameters.
  • James Kojiro
    Senior Member
    • Jun 2004
    • 580
    • 3.6.x

    #2
    How about just switching to a Mac and having an OS that is years more advanced than Vista?

    Comment

    • filburt1
      Senior Member
      • Feb 2002
      • 6606

      #3
      Originally posted by James Kojiro
      How about just switching to a Mac and having an OS that is years more advanced than Vista?
      Fine, give me $2000 for the exact same technology I can buy for $1000.
      --filburt1, vBulletin.org/vBulletinTemplates.com moderator
      Web Design Forums.net: vB Board of the Month
      vBulletin Mail System (vBMS): webmail for your forum users

      Comment

      • Quillz
        Senior Member
        • Nov 2004
        • 2787
        • 5.0.X

        #4
        Originally posted by James Kojiro
        How about just switching to a Mac and having an OS that is years more advanced than Vista?
        How about respecting that people have choice? Some like Vista, others will hate it.
        Forums

        Comment

        • Joe Gronlund
          Senior Member
          • Nov 2001
          • 5789
          • 3.8.x

          #5
          What not just buy it, isnt 30 days enough?

          Seems like you want to use it for 4 months, then re-install?
          MCSE, MVP, CCIE
          Microsoft Beta Team

          Comment

          • Joe Gronlund
            Senior Member
            • Nov 2001
            • 5789
            • 3.8.x

            #6
            Originally posted by Quillz
            How about respecting that people have choice? Some like Vista, others will hate it.
            Very true, some do hate it, and love XP and you have to respect that.
            Vista is not for everybody, i can tell you that myself after using it for almost 3 years..

            It's not an advanced version of XP, it's a completely different OS all together.
            All Vista versions are all based upon VMS which is a Unix like Operating System, NT even had POSIX support originally but that was removed from XP.

            Vista is very Unix like in many ways, and thats how Microsoft wanted it to be..
            Some dont like the Unix based changes..
            MCSE, MVP, CCIE
            Microsoft Beta Team

            Comment

            • James Kojiro
              Senior Member
              • Jun 2004
              • 580
              • 3.6.x

              #7
              Originally posted by Quillz
              How about respecting that people have choice? Some like Vista, others will hate it.
              I do respect that. In fact, I am happy that there is such a thing as choice in our society.

              Comment

              • Greps
                Senior Member
                • Feb 2006
                • 436
                • 3.6.x

                #8
                choice in an illusion, created between those with power, and those without. (c)

                Comment

                • WurkAnimal
                  Senior Member
                  • Aug 2005
                  • 2538
                  • 3.5.x

                  #9
                  I bought it.

                  Comment

                  • Dean C
                    Senior Member
                    • Mar 2002
                    • 4571
                    • 3.5.x

                    #10
                    Originally posted by James Kojiro
                    How about just switching to a Mac and having an OS that is years more advanced than Vista?
                    In your opinion. Others would differ.
                    Dean Clatworthy - Web Developer/Designer

                    Comment

                    • Joe Gronlund
                      Senior Member
                      • Nov 2001
                      • 5789
                      • 3.8.x

                      #11
                      Originally posted by JakeS
                      Now Microsoft has confirmed that Windows Vista can be used and run for 120 days or 4 months
                      People where complaining because there is no Official statement from Microsoft stating this is true.

                      The sites you copy and pasted that information from stole their information from TechNet and MSDN, where slmgr -rearm is used to rearm Windows Server -Longhorn-

                      So they assume its been given the ok by Microsoft, then you get Microsoft execs saying yes slmgr -rearm is used to rearm Windows.
                      But it's not meant to be used on Vista, just Windows Longhorn Server while its in beta.
                      slmgr.vbs -ato is also abused alot.

                      The only official changes have been to the Windows Vista OEM license agreements..

                      What do you get when you search for Windows Vista + slmgr -rearm, are sites like The Pirate Bay and other illegal sites..
                      Which is why i think this thread shouldnt exist, it promotes piracy as did the other thread..
                      Last edited by Joe Gronlund; Fri 23 Feb '07, 5:06am.
                      MCSE, MVP, CCIE
                      Microsoft Beta Team

                      Comment

                      • Dean C
                        Senior Member
                        • Mar 2002
                        • 4571
                        • 3.5.x

                        #12
                        I see your point Joe, however it's there to be used, and it's not like your hacking up the source code or cracking anything.
                        Dean Clatworthy - Web Developer/Designer

                        Comment

                        • AWS
                          Senior Member
                          • Apr 2000
                          • 1830
                          • 5.2.x

                          #13
                          Originally posted by JakeS
                          People cursed me down last time saying that this was illegal, but they were wrong.

                          By default, Windows Vista can be installed, used and run without any license, product key or the need of activation for 30 days grace period, for purpose of trial or evaluation. Although Microsoft initially stressed that users should purchase a license with valid product key before the trial period expires, or else Windows Vista will lock into Reduced Functionality Mode. However, a “rearm” method has long since been discovered to be able to extend, or reset the remaining time for activation to another fresh 30 days, for up to 3 times.

                          Now Microsoft has confirmed that Windows Vista can be used and run for 120 days or 4 months (3 rearms), and extending the activation grace period is not a violation of the Vista End User License Agreement (EULA). All versions of Vista include Windows Vista Ultimate allow a 30-day free period without activation, except the corporate-oriented Vista Enterprise, which supports only a three-day trial.

                          To extend, reset or restart the initial OOB grace period of Windows Vista to another 30 days, use the following steps:

                          1. Click on Vista Start button and key in Cmd in Start Search box.
                          2. Press on Ctrl-Shift-Enter to open Command Prompt with administrative credentials (equivalent to “Run as Administrator”).
                          3. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter when done: slmgr -rearm or you can use sysprep /generalize
                          4. Reboot the computer.
                          5. Rearm again when the remaining activation grace period timer counts down to 0 days.

                          Rearm option resets the computer’s activation timer and reinitializes some activation parameters.
                          Since you didn't answer the question in the other thread I'll ask again.
                          Where can I or any else get a copy of Vista legally without purchasing it?
                          The only legitimate reason to use this is if you already have a legal copy and want to install it on another computer to see if it is capable of running it. Even then why would it take more than 30 days to figure that out?
                          Admins Zone - Resources for Forum Administrators

                          Comment

                          • Joe Gronlund
                            Senior Member
                            • Nov 2001
                            • 5789
                            • 3.8.x

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Dean C
                            I see your point Joe, however it's there to be used, and it's not like your hacking up the source code or cracking anything.
                            You dont consider this cracking??
                            This was taken from a Microsoft Piracy thread, i dont run Windows Vista Business Edition
                            -----------------------------------------------
                            C:Windowssystem32>cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -skms kms.vbs.net.c
                            n
                            Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.7
                            Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

                            Key Management Service machine name set to kms.vbs.net.cn successfully.


                            C:Windowssystem32>cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ato
                            Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.7
                            Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

                            Activating Windows(TM) Vista, Business edition (4f3d1606-3fea-4c01-be3c-8d671c40
                            1e3b) ...
                            Product activated successfully.


                            C:Windowssystem32>cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -dlv
                            Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.7
                            Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

                            Software licensing service version: 6.0.6000.16386
                            Name: Windows(TM) Vista, Business edition
                            Description: Windows Operating System - Vista, VOLUME_KMSCLIENT channel
                            Activation ID: 4f3d1606-3fea-4c01-be3c-8d671c401e3b
                            Application ID: 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
                            Extended PID: 89576-00142-236-020000-03-1033-6000.0000-3472006
                            Installation ID: 017564092535405644950695062850934213910533180886903560
                            Partial Product Key: 2V3X8
                            License Status: Licensed
                            Volume activation expiration: 259198 minute(s) (179 day(s))

                            //Note//
                            Do not attempt to use this method on Windows Vista, there is a patch coming out that will send you into limited use mode, so it's not worth your time..
                            Last edited by Joe Gronlund; Fri 23 Feb '07, 8:14am.
                            MCSE, MVP, CCIE
                            Microsoft Beta Team

                            Comment

                            • JakeS
                              Senior Member
                              • Jul 2005
                              • 1975

                              #15
                              Originally posted by Joe Gronlund
                              What not just buy it, isnt 30 days enough?

                              Seems like you want to use it for 4 months, then re-install?
                              Or Someone could alter a couple of registry things and make it have a limit of over 100 and the 120 day limit to over 5000 LOL

                              Comment

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