Windows Vista Activation FAQ (Myths and Facts)

Microsoft builds one of the most successful and uncrackable activation requirement in Windows Vista, which serves as an anti-piracy technology designed to verify that Microsoft software products are legitimately and genuinely licensed. Every copy of Windows Vista installed must be activated for its users to continue access to regular Windows Vista functionality while ensuring that your product key is not being misused.

With thousands of explanation, questions and myths regarding Windows Vista product activation, explained differently by different individuals such as bloggers which simply based on hearsays further complicated the matter. Microsoft has published a FAQ on Windows Vista activation to clear and doubth and made its policy, limitations and restrictions known and to clear any mythes and doubts.

What is activation?

Activation, also known as Microsoft Product Activation or Windows Product Activation, is an anti-piracy technology designed to verify that Microsoft software products are legitimately licensed. Activation works by verifying that the product key—the 25-character code located on your Certificate of Authenticity (usually affixed to your computer) or proof of license label (usually affixed to the installation disc case)—is authentic and is not in use on more personal computers than are permitted by the software license.

Is activation required?

Yes. However, the Microsoft Software License Terms allow you to use Windows without activating for a 30 day grace period. After the grace period expires, Windows will provide only limited functionality until you activate.

Does activation collect information that is used to contact me?

The information collected during activation will not be used to contact you.

What happens if I don’t activate Windows?

If you don’t activate Windows within 30 days after installation, Windows can only be used in reduced functionality mode. Reduced functionality mode allows you to use Windows for one hour at a time for limited troubleshooting. You can regain full use of your computer by activating your copy of Windows.

Note: In Windows Vista SP1, reduced functionality mode has been removed. Instead, users will be prompted to with notifications to activate repetitively and desktop will become black.

How do I activate Windows Vista?

The Windows Vista activation process may vary based on how you acquired Windows Vista.

• If you acquired Windows Vista via retail purchase (boxed product) or pre-installed on a computer from a local computer vendor, you will be responsible for activating Windows Vista. After Windows Vista has been installed, activation will automatically begin three days after you log on for the first time, unless you opt out during installation. If the device is connected to the Internet, the software may automatically connect to Microsoft for activation. You can also activate the software manually by Internet or telephone.
• If you acquired Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer from a major manufacturer (sometimes referred to as an Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM), Windows Vista will have been activated during the manufacturing process. No additional actions are required. (This does not include Windows Vista obtained from the Windows Vista Express program.)
• If you acquired Windows Vista via a volume license upgrade, system administrator can use either of two types of customer-specific keys, namely Multiple Activation Key (MAK) and Key Management Service (KMS) Key for each license enrollment the customer has under their volume licensing agreement.

How often will I be asked to activate?

The frequency of activation requests will vary depending on how you choose to proceed.

• If you do not opt out of automatic activation during the installation process, Windows begins to attempt activation three days after you log on for the first time. It attempts to activate every four hours until it succeeds.
• If you opted out of automatic activation during the installation process, Windows begins to notify you that activation is required once per day, beginning three days after you log on for the first time.
• If Windows has not been activated by the 28th day after installation, Windows will stop trying to automatically activate (if enabled). Windows will notify you once per day that activation is required until one day of the grace period remains.
• If Windows has not been activated by the last day of the grace period, you will be prompted every four hours to activate.
• If you acquired Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer from a major manufacturer (sometimes referred to as an Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM), Windows Vista will have been activated during the manufacturing process. No additional actions are required. (This does not include Windows Vista obtained from the Windows Vista Express program.)
• If you acquired Windows Vista via a volume license upgrade, please visit the Windows Vista Volume Activation technical documentations.

Can I activate over the telephone?

Yes. If an Internet connection is not available or you are within the last three days of the grace period, you can activate by telephone. The telephone number varies by location and is provided during the activation process.

Will I ever need to activate my current copy of Windows again?

You might have to activate Windows again in a number of instances, such as:

• You uninstall Windows on one computer and install it on another. (This applies only to Windows Vista acquired via a retail purchase.) During installation, enter the product key that came with your copy of Windows. If automatic activation fails, follow the instructions that walk you through activating Windows by phone. You will have 30 days to activate your copy of Windows.

  Note: If you acquired Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer, Windows Vista cannot be moved to another computer.

• You upgrade your edition of Windows. Upon completion of the upgrade, Windows will attempt to follow the same activation process as it did during the initial installation of Windows.
• You make a significant hardware change to your computer, such as upgrading the hard disk drive and memory at the same time or replacing the motherboard in your OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) computer. If a major hardware change requires activating Windows again, you will be notified and will have three days to activate your copy of Windows.
• You reformat your hard disk drive. Reformatting erases your activation status. In this case, you’ll have 30 days to activate Windows again.
• A virus infects your computer and corrupts your activation status.

I see a balloon that says “Activating Windows.” Does this indicate a problem with my copy of Windows?

No, this balloon is a part of the standard Windows activation experience. This balloon appears when Windows attempts to activate. When activation is successful, Windows will briefly display a balloon with the message, “Activation was successful.”

How do I check the activation status of this computer?

To check your Windows activation status at any time:

1. Click the Start button, click Control Panel, click System and Maintenance, and then click System.
2. Under Windows activation, you can view your activation status. You can also change your product key by clicking Change product key.

How many different computers can I install Windows Vista on using the same product key?

The number of computers on which you can install Windows Vista depends on the software license. For example:

• If you acquire Windows Vista via retail purchase (boxed product), it may only be installed on one computer at a time. You may choose to uninstall Windows Vista from the initial computer and install it on another computer. You will then be required to re-activate that copy of Windows on the new computer.
• If you acquire Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer, it may only be used on that computer.
• If you acquire Windows Vista via a volume license, visit the Windows Vista Volume Activation technical documentations.

What does “volume license” mean?

Microsoft Volume Licensing offers customized programs that are designed to meet the needs of businesses. Tailored to the size and purchasing preference of different companies, these programs provide simple, flexible, and affordable solutions that enable them to easily manage multiple licenses.

What is the difference between activation and validation?

Activation is a required process by which Microsoft determines whether or not your product key is being properly used based upon the software license associated with it. Validation is a process by which Microsoft may be able to determine whether or not your product key has been counterfeited or misused. Failing validation may require re-activation.

Where do I find my Windows product key for activation?

The location of your product key is determined by the way you acquired Windows Vista.

• If you acquired Windows Vista via retail purchase, you can find your product key on the proof of license label affixed to the installation disc holder inside the Windows package.
• If you acquired Windows Vista via a computer manufacturer, you can find your product key on the Certificate of Authenticity, usually affixed to your computer.

Can I perform a clean installation of Windows Vista?

Yes, each edition of Windows Vista offers the ability to format the hard disk drive of the system prior to installation. However, installation of an upgrade cannot be completed as a clean installation. For more information about installing and reinstalling Windows, visit http://windowshelp.microsoft.com.

How many times can I install Windows on my computer before I have to activate Windows again?

You can reinstall Windows on the same computer as many times as you want because activation pairs the Windows product key with information about your computer’s hardware. If you make a significant hardware change, you might have to activate Windows again.

What hardware changes may require re-activation?

The Windows Vista re-activation process may vary based on how you acquired Windows Vista. For example:

• If you acquired Windows Vista via retail purchase (boxed product) or pre-installed on a computer from a local computer vendor, Windows Vista will require re-activation if you, for example:
  • Replace the hard disk drive and memory at the same time.
  • Replace the motherboard.
• If you acquired Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer from a major manufacturer (sometimes referred to as an Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM), Windows Vista will require re-activation if you replace the motherboard with a motherboard not provided by the OEM.
• If you acquired Windows Vista via a volume license upgrade visit the Windows Vista Volume Activation technical documentations.

What hardware changes can be made without re-activating?

Hardware changes that do not invoke the Windows Vista re-activation process may vary based on how you acquired Windows Vista. For example:

• If you acquired Windows Vista via retail purchase (boxed product) or pre-installed on a computer from a local computer vendor, Windows Vista will not require re-activation if you, for example:
  • Replace the hard disk drive only.
  • Replace the video card and add system memory at the same time.
• If you acquired Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer from a major manufacturer (sometimes referred to as an Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM), Windows Vista will require re-activation if you replace the motherboard with a motherboard not provided by the OEM.
• If you acquired Windows Vista via a volume license upgrade visit the Windows Vista Volume Activation technical documentations.

How do I know if changing hardware will make me re-activate; what hardware causes it to change?

Windows Vista uses an algorithm to determine when changes to hardware are significant enough in nature to require re-activation. The algorithm used by Windows Vista is more flexible than that used by Windows XP, but each component change has an impact and adds up until you reach a pre-determined limit.

How many times can I activate Windows Vista?

Windows can be activated any number of times, but your re-activation experience will vary based on the way you acquired Windows.

• If you acquired Windows Vista via retail purchase (boxed product), you may activate via the Internet the first five times. Subsequent activations are allowed but must be completed via telephone.
• If you acquire Windows Vista pre-installed on a computer, re-installation would not require additional activation steps unless significant hardware changes were made.

How is Windows Vista activation different from activation in Windows XP?

Most users will find that Windows Vista activation is similar to activation in Windows XP, but easier. You can learn more about the Microsoft Software Protection Platform in this whitepaper, but some highlights of the improvements made for Windows Vista activation include:

• Windows Vista activation is more flexible in accommodating hardware changes without requiring re-activation.
• Windows Vista activation has improved accuracy, resulting in better protection of the product.
• Windows Vista activation has improved anti-tampering technology.