Activation period for Windows Vista upgrade

[Guest]

I am considering upgrading to Windows Vista. I know most Microsoft software
needs to be activated or something after a while?

How long is the period after installation that you HAVE to activate or
register the software?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Chaz

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You have a thirty (30) day grace period before
activation is absolutely required.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

---------------------------------------------------------------

I am considering upgrading to Windows Vista. I know most Microsoft software
needs to be activated or something after a while?

How long is the period after installation that you HAVE to activate or
register the software?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Chaz

 

[MICHAEL]

* Chaz:

I am considering upgrading to Windows Vista. I know most Microsoft software
needs to be activated or something after a while?

How long is the period after installation that you HAVE to activate or
register the software?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Chaz

http://windowssecrets.com/comp/070215/#story1
Use Vista without activation for 120 days


-Michael

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I am considering upgrading to Windows Vista. I know most Microsoft software
needs to be activated or something after a while?

How long is the period after installation that you HAVE to activate or
register the software?

"Activate," not "Register." It's 30 days.

But why do you ask? There's really no downside to activating
immediately.

 

[John Barnett MVP]

30 days

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
Windows - Shell/User

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org

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[Paul Randall]

I am considering upgrading to Windows Vista. I know most Microsoft software
needs to be activated or something after a while?

How long is the period after installation that you HAVE to activate or
register the software?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Chaz

You do not have to give any personal information to activate. If you are
experimenting and installing multiple times, don't activate until you have
to. Phone activation is easy but requires you to punch in a bunch of stuff
without making any mistakes, so for many it is a pain, and some people don't
realize that when things go wrong they should just stay on the line and some
live person will take over. And maybe the phone activation people are not
on the same time schedule as you are -- I don't think they are available
24x365.

Registration is optional. It does require you to give personal information.
I don't have a link to what the benefits are for registration.

-Paul Randall

 

[Charlie Tame]

"Activate," not "Register." It's 30 days.

But why do you ask? There's really no downside to activating
immediately.

I would disagree completely in the case of an upgrade - specifically do
NOT hit activate now while the install is taking place. One of the first
questions asked - in an attempt to get the user to do it unintentionally...

When upgrading an older machine it is quite likely that one or more
devices will have to be replaced, such as video card and sound card,
thus making the user reinstall Vista only to be greeted by "Your
hardware has changed significantly etc...." then having to go through
the process of pleading with Microsoft on the phone in order to get his
legitimate system working. Please do not say this doesn't happen or
shouldn't happen because it DOES happen, in my case twice when
installing / removing SLI video cards. So the hardware had changed, so
what?

 

[Adam Albright]

I would disagree completely in the case of an upgrade - specifically do
NOT hit activate now while the install is taking place. One of the first
questions asked - in an attempt to get the user to do it unintentionally...

When upgrading an older machine it is quite likely that one or more
devices will have to be replaced, such as video card and sound card,
thus making the user reinstall Vista only to be greeted by "Your
hardware has changed significantly etc...." then having to go through
the process of pleading with Microsoft on the phone in order to get his
legitimate system working. Please do not say this doesn't happen or
shouldn't happen because it DOES happen, in my case twice when
installing / removing SLI video cards. So the hardware had changed, so
what?

Just part the paranoia that seems rampant at Redmond, probably because
of tolerating exhibitions of lunacy like this from their CEO.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/ffximage/2006/11/10/ballmer_wideweb__470x331,0.jpg

 

[Charlie Tame]

Just part the paranoia that seems rampant at Redmond, probably because
of tolerating exhibitions of lunacy like this from their CEO.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/ffximage/2006/11/10/ballmer_wideweb__470x331,0.jpg

Well I was not sure Ken had spotted the "Upgrading" comment by the OP
and since the upgrade guide is by no means certain it can easily result
in the PITA I described, 2nd time of course I did it on purpose but 1st
time I simply missed that question since it sneakily appears right at
the start.... obviously they want "Your permission" to send and record a
snapshot of the first install you attempt...

 

[Guest]

Thank You for all the answers. I ask because I want to be sure it works with
my system. If it doesn't work, then I'm going to return or sell it to someone
else.

Thanks you all very much, your answers were helpful.

The only other question is , is the 120 day activation legal?

Thanks again!

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thank You for all the answers.

You're welcome. Glad to help.

I ask because I want to be sure it works with
my system.

You can check in advance. Use the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor at
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/upgradeadvisor.mspx

or http://tinyurl.com/3b27j6

That should give you a high degree of assurance as to whether it will
or not.

If it doesn't work, then I'm going to return or sell it to someone
else.

Assuming that it's a retail copy, not an OEM one, you can sell it to
someone else even if you've activated it. No problem at all, although
the new owner will probably have to activate by a quick easy telephone
call to an 800 number instead of over the internet.

Thanks you all very much, your answers were helpful.

The only other question is , is the 120 day activation legal?

I'm not sure what you are asking, but here's a quick summary of the
way it works:

If you change enough hardware, you will have to reactivate. When you
do so, if it's been fewer than 120 days since last activation, you
will have to do it by that quick easy telephone call. If it's been
more than 120 days, it should work over the internet. Both are
completely legal.