Tag: activation key

Windows Mobile Device Center – RC3

July 18, 2007 by Jason

ActiveSync is no more for Microsoft Windows Vista and is getting a face lift called the Windows Mobile Device Center.

Currently it is available as a Release Candidate 3 (RC3) for download.

Windows Mobile Device Center is the new name for ActiveSync in Microsoft Windows Vista, and provides overall device management features for your Windows Mobile-based devices in Windows Vista, including smartphones and pocket PCs. All of the features previously available in ActiveSync are available in Windows Vista, including synchronization and setting up your partnership. Read More»

Ultimate Extras Announcement

July 04, 2007 by Jason

When we launched Windows Vista® in January 2007, we identified Windows Ultimate Extras as a unique series of add-ons that would be available to Windows Vista Ultimate customers. To date, we have released four sets of Extras Windows Hold’Em, 16 Language Packs for the Windows multi-language user interface, Secure Online Key Backup, and Windows BitLocker™ Drive Preparation Tool. We want to let our Windows Vista Ultimate customers know that we are actively working to deliver the remaining Extras that we identified in January. Our goal is to provide the highest-quality, most secure and reliable offerings, and as a result we are continuing our work on these offerings. We apologize for taking so long to provide a status update to customers. Read More»

Windows Vista Upgrade Install Fix

June 03, 2007 by Jason

With the release of Windows Vista comes a surprising change to the way the upgrade version works.

Unlike previous version of Windows, you can no longer wipe out your existing Windows installation and install a fresh install of Vista with the upgrade DVD. Instead, your upgrade version on top of the previous version of Windows you have.

This change will help cut down on the number of people buying the wrong version of Windows Vista but creates a huge annoyance for any power user that wants to start fresh with a new Windows operating system. Read More»

Hackers Target QuickTime and WinZip

May 17, 2007 by Jason

Although it seem unlikely virus writers and hackers are going to give up looking for and attempting to exploit loopholes in Microsoft products, it seems some of them may be turning their attention to other popular applications. According to security experts at Symantec the defences on one of its PC’s, used as bait to attract and trap virus writers, was breached through known vulnerabilities in Apple QuickTime and WinZip. Read More»

Check Windows Vista Activation Status

May 12, 2007 by Jason

Are you a user of Windows Vista Enterprise or Business edition and would like to know the status of activation of a specific computer? Want to make sure that the computer connected properly to the Key Management Server (KMS) or used your Multiple Activation Key (MAK) properly? Or are you a home user and just want to make sure your computer is fully activated?

Included in Windows Vista is very useful utility that will help you check the status of activation of your computer: Read More»

Installing Vista With No Product Key

May 12, 2007 by Jason

You can install Vista with no product key and have 30 days to evaluate it

1. Boot from the DVD and start the installation
2. Select the Language, Time and Currency, and Keyboard
3. Click on Next
4. Click on Install Now
5. Don’t enter a Product Key
6. Uncheck Automatically activate Windows when I’m online
7. Click on Next
Read More»

Recover from Reduced Functionality Mode

April 05, 2007 by Jason

Did you forget activate your computer within 30 days of installing and it is now stuck in reduced functionality Mode? Are you not yet ready to activate your copy and want to extend the activation period another 30 days or for longer? Using a slick Internet Explorer trick you can break out of Reduced Functionality mode and run the commands required to reset your activation period and recover use of your computer.

It starts when you log in and shown this error screen instead of taken to your desktop. Your only options are to activate now or enter reduced functionality mode. In reduced functionality mode, you will only have access to internet explorer, so that you can buy a license for Windows Vista! Read More»

Clean Install Windows Vista With Upgrade DVDs

February 17, 2007 by Jason

Traditionally, you are required to have a previous installation of Windows before you can upgrade, e.g. have Windows XP on your system before using Windows Vista Upgrade DVDs.
What if you have ALREADY upgraded to Windows Vista but are having system issues that require formating and re-installing Windows? Paul Thurrot proposed this hack that lets you install a Windows Vista Upgrade, without needing to re-install Windows XP first:
Read More»

Extend Activation period

February 14, 2007 by Jason

Would you like to extend the activation period to the maximum 120 days instead of the 30 day period that is set by default? It is possible and legal to do this using the software licensing manager in Windows Vista. Simply run slmgr -rearm to get another 30 days. You can do this a maximum of three times before Microsoft blocks further extensions.