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Use Windows 7 for a year without activation

How to Use Windows Vista and 7 for Approx. One Year Without Activation?

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Recently we told you how to use Windows Vista and 7 for 120 days without activating or using Product key. Now we'll tell you another method to extend this period for approx. one year.

First read the previous topic:

Extend Windows Vista and 7 Trial Period from 30 Days to 120 Days

You have to use the same slmgr -rearm command in this method too.

So here is the step-by-step method:

1. Click on “Start button -> All Programs -> Accessories“. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run As Administrator“. If you are prompted to enter password, enter the password and continue. You can also open Command Prompt in Administrator mode by typing “cmd” in Startmenu Search box and press “Ctrl+Shift+Enter“.

2. Now provide following command:

slmgr -rearm

3. You'll be prompted to restart Windows, restart it and the trial period will be reset to 30 days again.

4. You can use the same command 3 times. In this way you'll be able to use Windows for 120 days without activation.

5. Now its time for the main trick. Type regedit in RUN dialog box and press Enter. Now goto:

For Windows Vista:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\ SL

For Windows 7:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform

6. In right-side pane, change value of SkipRearm to 1.

7. Now you'll be able to use the slmgr -rearm command 8 more times. So you'll get total 360 days for using Vista and 7 without activation:

120 days by using slmgr -rearm command before registry editing

+

240 days after registry editing

||

360 days

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At work I need to use Windows 7 virtual machines to test our software. We have volume licensing, but you still have to install Windows 7 to use one of the licenses. To give you an idea of how big of an issue that is, it usually takes me more than 8 hours to install and configure a system to our standards.

It's easier to take an existing virtual machine and copy it, then start up the copy alongside the original, after you change the computer name. With Windows X's volume licenses, this worked perfectly. However, with Windows 7, every machine "phones home" to Microsoft with its key. When MS sees that the same key is on the copy, the original machine is deactivated and becomes "non-genuine".

While I haven't found a way to keep the copies from phoning home, I did run across this article which tells you how to reset the 30-day grace period in Windows activation enough times to keep using it for a year before it goes non-genuine. That's enough time at least for me to justify the 8-hour reinstall once that runs out.