When this grace period expires, users can rearm Windows 7 for an additional 30 days, and do this up to 3 times, effectively allowing the OS to run legally for days without a genuine product key. When a user uses up all three available rearms, the only option left is to enter a genuine product key to activate Windows 7, or leave the operating system in a crippled, non-genuine state.
Users will then be subjected to certain annoyances such as black desktop background, repetitive notification messages stating that this copy of Windows is illegal or counterfeited, and a reminder to register the software at login.
Through a Windows Product Activation WPA vulnerability that Microsoft introduced in Windows 7, it is possible to reset the remaining rearm count back to 4. There is no limit to the number of times that the rearm count can be reset, meaning that a user could theoretically run an unlicensed copy of Windows 7 forever, without the need for proper activation, and without applying any activation hacks. When the WPA registry key is deleted, the whole licensing status of Windows 7 is re-initiated to the Initial Grace Period as if Windows 7 has just been installed.
The deletion of the WPA registry key is achieved via the following command:. Given the importance of this WPA registry key, Microsoft has locked it and its sub-keys from been modified or deleted in a normal user session. In our managed environment, this method of rearming Windows is ultra handy in our SOE creation, in that we do not have to keep starting from scratch when we run out of rearms. Save the file as delwpa. For example, C:delwpa. Save the file as delwpa.
On the day where days remaining to activate Windows 7 is about to approach 0, restart the computer. Select Repair Your Computer.
Select your keyboard input method, and click Next. Enter user name and password login credentials, and click OK. Type C: to go to the main drive, and the execute the delwpa. Note: On some computers such as virtual machine or computer with recovery partition, the main drive may appear as D: The console should display messages saying that the commands were executed successfully. I've had both good and bad luck with the rearm - I've done most of the steps you have mentioned above Sounds like a do over to me.
Is IE10 part of your image? The workaround is detailed here:. Ended up trying out a few variations on the steps and ended up getting it to work!
You have to follow a specific order. In case anyone stumbles across this post with the same problem:. This at least worked for me. I now have all my machines imaged without any problems and can make my deadline too. In regards to Matt's comment, I called our customer sales rep and he clarified that with our Windows 7 professional and Volume Licence, there are no problems with us creating images in this way as long as we don't go over our licencing limit. We can't sell the computer either.
In regards to Joel, I will be creating a new image with a pre and post sysprep versions. This was too much of a hassle. I may have gotten lucky that it's working fine this time. I don't want to take that chance in the future. Bradent: I just did it with IE10 installed and fully updated without the problem you listed. Don't know what to say. Tried your method on a Win7 image that was sysprep-ed three times, all similar images, just more stuff added and same hardware.
Thanks for saving me a bunch of time! Best bet start over. I keep a list of changes I do for each image and when I start over I apply all that I have documented and wala! Hey, Sorry if this is a bit late, but I have attached documentation on how to rearm the sysprep counter.
Hope it helps. Download Majic Jellybean Keyfinder. Run it on your windows installation before sysprepping to get your product key, you will need this if you get a product key error after following the instructions at this link. Bless you Jonathan! Your solution worked - exactly what I needed to re-sysprep after first botching my unattend file. Jonathan, you are the Stuff! I been following instructions for about a week now, and I'm IT for Christ's sake.
Your detailed steps are the bomb! Yes, I'm your new number 1 fan! Ask a question. Quick access. Search related threads.
Remove From My Forums. Answered by:. Archived Forums. Windows 7 Installation, Setup, and Deployment. Sign in to vote. A reasonable bit of googling lead me to the horrible truth.
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