PCTips Box

Windows Vista, in the evolution from Windows XP, delivered an overhauling of the activation infrastructure, and in this context introduced Volume Activation 2.0. Microsoft explained the necessity of such a move as an attempt to cut down the primary source of activation workarounds for pirated copies of Windows: leaked volume license product keys. Volume Activation 2.0 is available not only in Windows Vista, but also for the company’s latest server operating system, Windows Server 2008. And following the release of both Vista SP1 and Windows Server 2008, Microsoft has also made available the Volume Activation Management Tool 1.1 (x86). VAMT is set up to enable the automation and central handling of the volume activation process via a Multiple Activation Key (MAK). (more…)

Windows Vista introduces a new tool on top of what its predecessor Windows XP had to offer in terms of dealing with licensing resources, from the product key to information related to the activation status of a machine. The Windows Software Licensing Management Tool can be accessed via the “slmg.vbs” command and will offer users the possibility to activate, rearm and display the activation status of Vista, but also to install and uninstall product keys. In this context, the “slmgr.vbs –upk” command, designed to uninstall a Windows Vista product key, may result on the Business and Enterprise SKUs of the operating system into the scraping of all the licensing information, synonymous with a lost activation status, and the transition of the platform into reduced functionality mode.

“After you run the slmgr.vbs –upk command on a Windows Vista-based computer, you cannot see the licensing information as expected. Additionally, the Windows Vista activation status is lost. (more…)