Activation Time Limit

thunderclap · Oct 20, 2009, 06:20 PM

I'm curious how long one has to activate Windows 7 before it becomes inoperable. Vista, and I think XP, both had 30-days.

The reason I ask is because I'm expecting two upgrade DVD's from MS for two systems but they aren't expected to ship until November 2. I have a digital copy that will be available for me to download on October 22 for a netbook, and I was just going to use that to install Windows 7 on all my systems and then activate Windows when those upgrade DVD's come in another week or two. This obviously will only work though if there is a grace period for activation.

**MIG-31** · Oct 20, 2009, 07:16 PM

Im running W7 unactivated and its still 30 days

Just waiting for my retail copy to arrive,Damn postal strikes in the uk has to coincide with the release date...

mkk · Oct 20, 2009, 07:18 PM

For 30 days all that gets in your way is a reminder to activate. After 30 days you can still get into the system but with some limitations. If you'd need more than the initial 30 days then you can use the command tool SLMGR to reset the 30 day time limit, and the reset can be used three times. That gives users up to 120 days of unhindered use without activation.

thunderclap · Oct 20, 2009, 07:21 PM

Sounds good. Thanks for the info.

Judas · Oct 20, 2009, 09:57 PM

30 days + an additional 90 days (120 days total) using the Command Prompt:

SLMGR -REARM

Remember, run command prompt as admin...

**kris23** · Oct 21, 2009, 04:20 AM

(slmgr.vbs -rearm)

enter that in the command prompt "CMD" as an administrator level user and there you have it

Judas · Oct 21, 2009, 06:21 PM

you don't need to add ".vbs" ...

just slmgr -rearm..... wait a few seconds and hit ok and then reboot

Oct 20, 2009, 06:20 PM	#1
thunderclap HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 348 Rep Power: 32	Activation Time Limit I'm curious how long one has to activate Windows 7 before it becomes inoperable. Vista, and I think XP, both had 30-days. The reason I ask is because I'm expecting two upgrade DVD's from MS for two systems but they aren't expected to ship until November 2. I have a digital copy that will be available for me to download on October 22 for a netbook, and I was just going to use that to install Windows 7 on all my systems and then activate Windows when those upgrade DVD's come in another week or two. This obviously will only work though if there is a grace period for activation. __________________ Marc B. Genrefinity.net - Your source for all things in the horror, science fiction and fantasy genres

Oct 20, 2009, 07:16 PM	#2
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 55,770 Rep Power: 444 System Specs	Re: Activation Time Limit Im running W7 unactivated and its still 30 days Just waiting for my retail copy to arrive,Damn postal strikes in the uk has to coincide with the release date... __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here

Oct 20, 2009, 07:18 PM	#3
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,383 Rep Power: 120 System Specs	Re: Activation Time Limit For 30 days all that gets in your way is a reminder to activate. After 30 days you can still get into the system but with some limitations. If you'd need more than the initial 30 days then you can use the command tool SLMGR to reset the 30 day time limit, and the reset can be used three times. That gives users up to 120 days of unhindered use without activation.

Oct 20, 2009, 07:21 PM	Thread Starter #4
thunderclap HardwareHeaven Addict Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 348 Rep Power: 32	Re: Activation Time Limit Sounds good. Thanks for the info. __________________ Marc B. Genrefinity.net - Your source for all things in the horror, science fiction and fantasy genres

Oct 21, 2009, 04:20 AM	#6
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 5,990 Rep Power: 121 System Specs	Re: Activation Time Limit (slmgr.vbs -rearm) enter that in the command prompt "CMD" as an administrator level user and there you have it __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!