Solved W7 Activation not needed?

[brucemc777]

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 W7 runs without activation?

 

[Dwarf]

You can only install W7 on as many machines as the licence agreement (EULA) permits for the enclosed media.

Without activation, you can use W7 for upto 30 days, after that you will either have to reinstall, activate, or extend the grace period http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/875-activation-trial-period-extend-up-120-days.html

 

[theog]

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

 

[DeaconFrost]

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?

 

[C32C3]

A word of caution:

If it sounds too good to be true,

its probably a lie.

 

[alphanumeric]

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.

 

[NoelDP]

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

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.

 

[NoelDP]

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 W7 runs without activation?

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.

 

[M1GU31]

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.

 

[wanchoo]

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

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 W7 runs without activation?

 

[NoelDP]

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.

Windows 7 does NOT 'lock you out' of your system - except in some relatively minor respects.
Vista RTM did (SP2 does pretty much the same as Win7)
Win 7 will bring up a notification on every boot that the system is not genuine, and requires activation, and you can cancel out of that and get to a fully-functional desktop. However, if MSE is installed, it will also throw a fit, and after 30 days of non-genuine status, it will disable itself.

 

[cyclic]

You will not be able to stay logged on for more than an hour, which allows you to activate online, hence why you only get to use IE and will not be able to access your files using any version of Win.

 

[Layback Bear]

I also wonder where such false information comes from. The purpose of activation is to stop someone from buying Windows CD and passing it around the country for everyone to use for free. This to me is just common sense.

 

[alphanumeric]

See, the thing is, you can obtain a hacked version that will do what the OP stated in the first post. And believe it or not there are some people out there naive enough to believe that its perfectly OK to use it. There was a thread here recently (deleted now though) were the OP wanted help removing the SLIC Loader, not knowing what it was, and not knowing they were running a pirated version of windows. I gave them the benefit of the doubt based on what they stated in that thread.

 

[NoelDP]

I have known people with loaders installed in perfectly genuine Windows - in an attempt get around a non-genuine message arising from file corruption.

 

[alphanumeric]

lol, some people will do almost anything to avoid re-installing Windows. If they would keep track of the time they've spent hodge podging around their issue they'd realize it would have been quicker to just start over with a clean install and move on.

 

[NoelDP]

For many, that's not a viable option for a number of reasons (fear and lack of knowledge being high on the list).
Besides which, in many cases of non-genuine issues, a reinstall isn't needed (nor even a repair install) - just the courage to ask a question in the right place, rather than trusting 'the geeky kid who lives round the corner'.

 

[DeaconFrost]

lol, some people will do almost anything to avoid re-installing Windows. If they would keep track of the time they've spent hodge podging around their issue they'd realize it would have been quicker to just start over with a clean install and move on.

Thank you!

 

[alphanumeric]

For many, that's not a viable option for a number of reasons (fear and lack of knowledge being high on the list).
Besides which, in many cases of non-genuine issues, a reinstall isn't needed (nor even a repair install) - just the courage to ask a question in the right place, rather than trusting 'the geeky kid who lives round the corner'.

True enough, I'd put "fear and lack of knowledge" at the top of the list. Not getting any install media with a new PC these days doesn't help either. I'd just like to reiterate that I said "some people" and you know who you are.

 

[brucemc777]

Sorry - been out of touch for a bit, but I GREATLY appreciate everyone's help!!!

The "information" was from a "know-it-all" at work, I believe running W7 on a Mac(...), but before I told him to go talk to a brick wall and possibly make a total idiot of myself, I wanted to check my facts.