Installing Windows 7 without entering the Product Key

stockhausen · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:12

Does anyone have any idea why you can now install Windows 7 without entering the Product Key :confused:

- So far as I am aware, you couldn't do this in the past (although I can't say I ever tried).

It is very handy if you are just trying to test out Windows 7 on an old system or a new build but I don't understand why Microsoft have now made it possible.

Dirk · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:18

It's always been possible with Win 7 although i can't remember if that was the case with XP/Vista. I think you get a 30 day window after installation to enter a key, (perhaps someone else can clarify this), but i have no idea what happens after that time expires?

Perhaps your PC explodes with the force of Microsofts displeasure

Meatball · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:24

The above is correct. You can install without entering a CD Key and you get 30 days before you get an artificially crippled Windows install.

marc2003 · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:31

it's been possible since day 1. and with vista for that matter.

SiriusB · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:32

You can do it on Vista too. Not sure about XP.

You get a fully functional trial version for 30 days. After that you get moaned at and your PC will shutdown every 2 hours.

something daft already!! · 27 Jan 2011 at 17:33

marc2003 said:
it's been possible since day 1. and with vista for that matter.

This

Meatball · 27 Jan 2011 at 18:35

XP with SP3 integrated you don't have to enter a serial key to

.

stockhausen · 27 Jan 2011 at 19:26

. . . yes, but in the name of God, WHY :confused:

Incidentally:

apatia77 said:
It appears you can get up to 120 days and not 30. You need to use "slmgr -rearm" command at end of each 30 days.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-7/extend-the-windows-7-trial-from-30-to-120-days/

I've used this before and it worked just fine.

Hotwired · 27 Jan 2011 at 19:34

stockhausen said:
. . . yes, but in the name of God, WHY

To troll everyone who paid for a copy.

theheyes · 27 Jan 2011 at 19:55

iirc the 2 hour shutdown was just for the release candidate. You should be able to run an unactivated RTM copy as long as you like, albeit with a black screen and prompts.

MikeHunt79 · 27 Jan 2011 at 19:58

stockhausen said:
Does anyone have any idea why you can now install Windows 7 without entering the Product Key - So far as I am aware, you couldn't do this in the past (although I can't say I ever tried).

It makes things far simpler for OEM's

SiriusB · 27 Jan 2011 at 23:07

theheyes said:
iirc the 2 hour shutdown was just for the release candidate. You should be able to run an unactivated RTM copy as long as you like, albeit with a black screen and prompts.

Fairly sure one of my Windows 7 VMs refused to let you log in after the grace period was up. I know XP SP3 definitely did this.

JonJ678 · 28 Jan 2011 at 02:41

slmgr -rearm

I'm not sure I've had a copy of windows survive for four months before "needing" a reinstall. Am I right in thinking that after 120 days, one could reinstall and repeat?

Strange decision by Microsoft.

Priapus · 28 Jan 2011 at 07:03

JonJ678 said:
I'm not sure I've had a copy of windows survive for four months before "needing" a reinstall. Am I right in thinking that after 120 days, one could reinstall and repeat?

Strange decision by Microsoft.

Yes - if one was silly enough to reinstall the OS every 120 days. I know I wouldn't want to do this.

From Vista upwards this is possible. Also with XP Pro SP3, it was possible.

CaptainCrash · 28 Jan 2011 at 12:16

Ice On Fire said:
Yes - if one was silly enough to reinstall the OS every 120 days. I know I wouldn't want to do this.

From Vista upwards this is possible. Also with XP Pro SP3, it was possible.

Interestingly, the freely-downloadable trial version of Windows 7 Enterprise apparently lets you use the slmgr -rearm command to re-activate up to five times, so you could keep repeating the 90-day trial period for a total of up to 540 days. If you include the 10-day pre-activation grace period each time, you could theoretically use it for up to 600 days before requiring a re-install (for testing and evaluation purposes only of course, in case stoofa's watching).

Penguin · 28 Jan 2011 at 20:26

It's very handy in a corporate environment where you can run the KMS service so Windows 7/2008 R2 will auto detect it via Active Directory/DNS & activate itself against it

KIA · 28 Jan 2011 at 22:27

JonJ678 said:
I'm not sure I've had a copy of windows survive for four months before "needing" a reinstall.

What are you doing to your poor system?

thedoc46 · 29 Jan 2011 at 05:12

You also don't have to put in a CD key if you are using a manufacturers OEM version of the OS.. Example all Dells, if you use the Dell supplied Operating System Disc, it will not ask for a lic key. Nor will it only give you 30 days.. BUT it does check to make sure you are installing on Dell hardware !

bledd · 29 Jan 2011 at 08:37

stockhausen said:
. . . yes, but in the name of God, WHY

Incidentally:

So you can build one machine and image it to a bunch of others, without having to mess around removing keys etc.

Also very handy for quickly testing something out.

These OS's can do it..

XPSP3
Vista
7

stockhausen · 29 Jan 2011 at 10:20

bledd. said:
So you can build one machine and image it to a bunch of others, without having to mess around removing keys etc. ...

Yup, I can see that. However, surely it would really only make sense if the systems have identical configurations?

bledd. said:
... Also very handy for quickly testing something out. ...

A 'quick' install of Windows would be nice

bledd. said:
... These OS's can do it..

XPSP3
Vista
7

I must admit that I have never thought of trying it before.

Thanks for the various responses, I feel much happier (and better informed) now

Installing Windows 7 without entering the Product Key

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