Automatically activate Windows 7

[asim18]

Well I didn't knowingly choose Automatically to activate Windows 7 on a current system build which is partially complete

Try reading next time. You will never "know" anything if you don't read.

It asks clearly during setup whether you want to activate automatically once online.

 

[mmj_uk]

Am I missing something here? Windows being activated doesn't stop you reinstalling it so where's the problem with it happening automatically? What problems does it cause you?

When you activate it a hash key of all of your system components is generated and sent to Microsoft (it's like a unique system id), so if not all of your device drivers were installed before activation or if you add another component after activation; then the next time you activate it the hash will probably be different and you'll probably have to ring Microsoft.

Even if you buy a valid Windows license using some sort of crack is 100 times more convenient if you rebuild often.

 

[SiriusB]

I still wonder what other information Microsoft has surreptitiously plucked off my half-built system

So after maliciously hiding an option in plain sight, you're worried they are going to harvest data from your machine?

 

[stockhausen]

Just reinstalled Windows 7 on a wiped HDD:

• You can install with no product key . . . Why on earth
• The option automatically to activate does appear on the screen where the (apparently optional) product key is requested - I missed it the first time around

You live and learn.


Incidentally apatia77, thanks for the very useful link on how to Extend the Windows 7 Trial from 30 to 120 Days - I'll give that a go

 

[Raumarik]

Even if you buy a valid Windows license using some sort of crack is 100 times more convenient if you rebuild often.

Will you rebuild every month for 8+ years then? If so then I suggest you look at system image building software rather than illegal means which frankly shouldn't be recommended on OCUK.

Volume licensing is another option if it's a business or for the public sector.

 

[Blue160]

When you activate it a hash key of all of your system components is generated and sent to Microsoft (it's like a unique system id), so if not all of your device drivers were installed before activation or if you add another component after activation; then the next time you activate it the hash will probably be different and you'll probably have to ring Microsoft.

Even if you buy a valid Windows license using some sort of crack is 100 times more convenient if you rebuild often.

On my machine I have changed the processor, the RAM, the graphics card twice, and the sound card. I have reinstalled OEM Windows 7 since, and it has activated online with no problems at all. I was under the impression that the install was tied to the motherboard.

 

[csmager]

It's hardly underhand! You'd be staring at the screen for a good minute typing in the key.

 

[Deleted member 77746]

^^^^ 1 ticky box could have saved this thread....

 

[stockhausen]

It's hardly underhand! You'd be staring at the screen for a good minute typing in the key. ...

Quite so, trying to read the sodding microtyped product key with confusing 8/Bs in it

^^^^ 1 ticky box could have saved this thread....

Indeed . . . you have to wonder why Microsoft chose to default it to selected rather than making it an empty but mandatory Yes/No field

 

[cokecan]

Quite so, trying to read the sodding microtyped product key with confusing 8/Bs in it

Indeed . . . you have to wonder why Microsoft chose to default it to selected rather than making it an empty but mandatory Yes/No field

Because you sir, are in the tiny minority in the grand scheme of things. Majority of users don't care about "tweaking" and just want their system up and running. Auto filling the "Activate Automatically" option should just generally mean less things that the end user has to configure and do themselves. It may also have some effect on piracy but I don't have anything to prove that one way or another

Also, the reason you can install without a serial number is so you can trial the software. after 30 days you either rearm it or enter the serial number and activate it. If not I believe you get a "this copy is not genuine" message and possibly an auto restart every hour??

 

[Deleted member 77746]

Because you sir, are in the tiny minority in the grand scheme of things. Majority of users don't care about "tweaking" and just want their system up and running. Auto filling the "Activate Automatically" option should just generally mean less things that the end user has to configure and do themselves. It may also have some effect on piracy but I don't have anything to prove that one way or another

Also, the reason you can install without a serial number is so you can trial the software. after 30 days you either rearm it or enter the serial number and activate it. If not I believe you get a "this copy is not genuine" message and possibly an auto restart every hour??

I could not put this message in a more sensible, clear way.

 

[SiriusB]

It also allows you to create an OS image you can deploy later on that isn't tied to any specific Product Key. Not a problem for an environment that has a Volume License, but for smaller companies it can be quite handy.

People ought to remember that OS tweaking and customizing is very much of a niche interest compared to the 100s of millions of Windows users in the world. They choose what suits the overwhelming majority. If you have special needs, Microsoft provide tools for creating custom installations for OEMs or corporations that are all freely available and documented.

 

[asim18]

If you have special needs,

 

[SiriusB]

Thought it would be a bit longer before someone spotted that!

 

[Broken Hope]

On my machine I have changed the processor, the RAM, the graphics card twice, and the sound card. I have reinstalled OEM Windows 7 since, and it has activated online with no problems at all. I was under the impression that the install was tied to the motherboard.

I believe that is the case since when I did a motherboard, RAM, CPU upgrade all at once I had to activate over the phone on my retail install of W7 Pro.

 

[mmj_uk]

Will you rebuild every month for 8+ years then?

Probably not but if you do decide you want to reinstall it every day then you don't have to waste time reporting in to Big Brother (MS) constantly, if you were going to rebuild every month you could just it in trial mode.

If so then I suggest you look at system image building software rather than illegal means which frankly shouldn't be recommended on OCUK.

You shouldn't have to buy additional backup software just because MS decide they want to make their paying customers lives more difficult using a mechanism that was bypassed well before the OS even went retail.

There's nothing illegal about it if you buy the software it just breaks the terms of the EULA which in this case is a load of crap anyway, they could add anything they want to the EULA enforcing it in a court of law is another matter.

 

[SiriusB]

Actually Windows 7 has built-in disk imaging. And there are plenty of third-party tools for imaging your OS that are free. Macrium Reflect Free Edition for one.

You could also use the free Windows automation tools and build a completely custom Windows install complete with drivers and software that you can deploy from a server. Network install ***!

Absolutely no need for EULA breaking methods.

 

[Raumarik]

EULA is a contract which you accept, so breaking it is breaking a contract - that could and usually does mean it's illegal depending on what and how you broke it.

You don't have to buy anything, there's plenty of free software for creating backups and frankly if you are going to "reinstall" regularly you're either poorly installing it in the first place or simply garbage at look after your computer, in which case I suggest something along the lines of Deepfreeze would you time and money in the long run. Heck you could even use a VM and wipe it afterwards if you are testing software on it. Personally I'd rather spend a few quid than waste hours reinstalling, but then again I only wipe my PC once a year or so and Windows does have an excellent backup program build in to my version of Windows 7.

 

[MOOGLEYS]

I,m still using my OEM copy i have had on 3 completely different machines. If you change too much it has a fit and says activation is unsucsesfull then its just a case of calling an 0800 number and following the simple telephone activation, I have never needed to speak to a person. I must be on my 20th activation if not more and all still ok... Although my bank manager (wife) has now banned me from upgrading for at least a year... ..

 

[Aod]

Because you sir, are in the tiny minority in the grand scheme of things. Majority of users don't care about "tweaking" and just want their system up and running. Auto filling the "Activate Automatically" option should just generally mean less things that the end user has to configure and do themselves. It may also have some effect on piracy but I don't have anything to prove that one way or another

Also, the reason you can install without a serial number is so you can trial the software. after 30 days you either rearm it or enter the serial number and activate it. If not I believe you get a "this copy is not genuine" message and possibly an auto restart every hour??

Doesn't even restart as far as i'm aware. i believe all you get are nag-messages at login/boot, the message in the corner and every 60 minutes your wallpaper is set to black.

oh, and it disables windows update for everything but critical patches.

seems pretty lenient to me. especially considering that with rearm you'd only have to see it every three months.