Windows 7 features 120-day activation grace period

 

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Posted on 20 Aug 2009 at 09:43

Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 7 customers will be able to use the operating system for 120 days before being required to enter an activation key.

The software giant advertises a 30-day grace period when you first install Windows 7, allowing you to try it out for a month before activation.

The price for this leeway is increasingly frequent messages reminding you to activate your software. In the last few days users can expect to see this unwelcome guest once every four hours, and on the final day it appears every hour.

However, as revealed by Windows Secrets, Microsoft has installed a little trick - intended for IT admins, but open to anybody - allowing people to reset the countdown up to three times, allowing for it to be used for 120 days before activation.

The trick requires users to type the "slmgr -rearm" command at the Windows 7 command prompt, and has been verified by a Microsoft spokesperson: "A total of 120 days is available as a grace period to customers that take advantage of -rearm." The trick does not violate the EULA.

Windows 7 is set for general release on 22 October with Microsoft claiming it will feature a number of refinements over the Release Candidate.

For a comprehensive explanation of all of Windows 7's new features check out our complete guide.