Windows 7: W7 Activation not needed?

I have been told that one can now install Windows 7 on any machine and it will run without a problem indefinitely. This seems rather contrary to history, but since I have been out of touch for a while I thought it best to ask the pros (that's you folks). What's the story on how long Windows 7 runs without activation?

You can only install Windows 7 on as many machines as the licence agreement (EULA) permits for the enclosed media.

Without activation, you can use Windows 7 for upto 30 days, after that you will either have to reinstall, activate, or extend the grace period Activation Trial Period - Extend Up to 120 Days

If you are reinstalling with a Powerspec OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disk, Activation not need.

There's actually no reason at all to ever put the Windows 7 key in during the install process, so the 30 trial should be common knowledge to anyone who's installed Windows 7 from a clean install. As mentioned, you can extend that out if you feel the need.

But whoever told you it runs indefinitely clearly has no experience with the OS. What would be the point of license keys if it worked indefinitely?

A word of caution:

If it sounds too good to be true,

its probably a lie.

As far as I know that can only be accomplished by cheating activation, by modifying the original install media. Branded OEM install media that uses SLP activation and SLIC BIOS tables can be installed as many times as you want, on that specific make and model PC, and activation is automatic. You can't use it on any PC though and it still has to pass the Windows genuine advantage check (WGA). Any version of Windows that was advertised as you describe, is one that I wouldn't want anywhere near my PC. God knows what bonus extras are included along with the other illegal mods done to it.

Not true - Activation is still required, but it happens locally, rather than with MS's activation servers/

This can occasionally break down - which is why every OEM PC is required to have a COA sticker attached, which will activate Windows in the normal manner, either over the internet or by phone.

EVERY installation of Windows requires activation within a certain period.
That period varies depending on the source and the reason, between 3 days and 90 days - but can be extended up to 4 times (although most installs will only allow 3)

There is no such thing as a legal installation of Windows that does not require activation - and all activation attempts are logged by the servers involved, except for the self-activation of OEM_SLP Keys used by the big-name branded OEMs.

There are Trial versions available which have a 90-day license (which can be extended) - these still require activation, but will expire at the end, and require a clean install to replace.

windows will eventually lock you out of your system if you let it pass the 30 day trial by puting a black desktop and in the Conner saying to activate and if you don't after a while it just won't let you get to your computer without activating it. Seen it happen before, every time you will try to boot to win 7 it will bug you about activating and not let you on your desktop anymore.

Just curious. From where did you get this wrong information? The Internet?