Windows 7 - Activation Trial Period - Extend Up to 120 Days

Great to know this still works. It seems someone recovered my nieces notebook, but chose not to enter the activation key and went on and chose Ultimate which did not come with the PC. I'm the non-self proclaimed IT guy in the family and yet someone did this and my niece isn't talking. lol It's not surprising, I was a teen once too, a long time ago.

Anyway she went well over the 30 days and wasn't able to activate it b/c the notebook came with Home Premium. So by rearming it, I was able to install MS Security Essentials as well as some Windows Updates that won't install without a valid authorization of the OS.

So with this neat little trick, It gives them/me time to back-up there files and re-install the OS, but this time simply just entering the Product Code. Whoever it was I believe didn't even know that the key was on the MS sticker right under there noises on the back side of the notebook!

She lives a few hours away and was down for a visit, so I did what I could in the amount of time I had, but with this little trick at least we have time on our side now and can re-do when we have the time during the next visit, that is...

...Unless someone knows how we can downgrade and change the version to Home Premium from Ultimate without re-install / recovery and the product key would then activate it.

Regardless, this tut was very helpful for her and I informed her that without the sevenforums members willing to share these tips & tricks, it wouldn't have been so easy. She wanted me to Thank You Brink, and is glad we didn't have to rush to run recovery. I asked her to please always ask me for help with the PC as I have access to some of the greatest PC minds on the Planet!

Thanks Brink, I owe ya one!

You're both most welcome OEM.

May I ask , Does this work with SP1?

I downloaded a TechNet Windows 7 Ultimate w/SP1 .iso. Installed with a USB flash drive. I did not enter the Key Code. At 29 days, I extended for 30 more days, so I am now waiting to try for the next 30 day period.

Hello Josh,

Yes, it sure does.

Nice one shawn. This will come in handy in the future I think. Here is what I have.
Attachment 152942
It is activated with a valid key but shows 4 rearms left?

This is a real snip, non-edited other than removing ID's.

Hello Gary,

With your Windows being activated, you should never need to rearm.

Awesome Tutorial keep up the good work

Cheers.