Windows Vista Update
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Windows Vista Activation
What is Windows Vista Activation?Product activation is a license validation procedure required by some computer software programs. Specifically, product activation refers to a method where a software application hashes hardware serial numbers and an ID number specific to the product's license (a product key) to generate a unique Installation ID.
Installation ID is sent to the manufacturer to verify the authenticity of the product key and determine that the product key is not being used for multiple installations.
As a trial, Microsoft first used product activation in some versions of Microsoft Office 2000. Some copies sold in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the United States required the user to activate the product via the internet. After its success, the product activation system was extended worldwide and incorporated into all subsequent versions of Windows and Office. This practice has become a subject of debate, primarily because it was one of the first widespread uses of a product activation system in a general consumer product.
An 'unactivated' product usually acts as a time-limited trial until a product key is purchased and used to activate the software. Some products allow licenses to be transferred from one machine to another using online tools, without having to call technical support to deactivate the copy on the old machine before reactivating it on the new machine.
While product activation and licensing servers are common for business and industrial software (especially software sold on a per-user basis for large sums of money), Windows XP gave many casual computer users their first introduction to it.
The system was introduced by Microsoft to curb unauthorized distribution of Windows XP. Activation requires the computer or the user to activate with Microsoft within a certain amount of time in order to continue using the operating system.
Activating Windows: frequently asked questions
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Here are answers to some common questions about activating Windows.
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What is activation? |
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Activation helps verify that your copy of Windows is genuine and that it has not been used on more computers than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. In this way, activation helps prevent software counterfeiting. With an activated copy of Windows, you’ll be able to use every Windows feature. |
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Is activation the same as registration? |
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No. Activation is required, but registration is not. Activation is the process of ensuring that your copy of Windows is used according to the Microsoft Software License Terms, whereas registration is the process of entering information (such as your e‑mail address) to sign up for product support, tools and tips, and other product benefits. |
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Does activation collect information that is used to contact me? |
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The information collected during activation will not be used to contact you.
Read the Windows privacy statement on the Microsoft website. |
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Is activation required? |
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You have 30 days after installing Windows to activate it online or by telephone. If this 30-day period expires before you complete activation, some Windows features will stop working until you activate your copy of Windows. |
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How do I activate Windows? |
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You can activate either online or by phone. To activate online you need an Internet connection. Activating by phone requires interacting with an automated phone system.
To activate Windows on this computer, do the following: Open Windows Activation by clicking the Start button You can then select the method you want to use to activate.
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How many times can I install Windows on my computer before I have to activate Windows again? |
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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. |
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Will I ever need to activate my current copy of Windows again? |
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Maybe. You might have to activate Windows again if:
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If you have to activate Windows again, you don't need to buy a new product key.
To activate Windows on this computer, do the following:
Open Windows Activation by clicking the Start button , clicking Computer, clicking Properties, and then clicking Click here to activate Windows now.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
How do I check my Windows activation status on this computer?
To check your Windows activation status, do the following:
1. Open System by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking System.
2. Under Windows activation, you can view your activation status. You can also change your product key by clicking Change product key.
How do I get a new Windows product key?
If your Windows product key is not valid, if you don't have a Windows product key, or if you lost the product key that came with your copy of Windows, you'll need to buy a new one to activate Windows. For more information, go to the Microsoft website.
What happens if I don’t activate Windows?
If you don’t activate Windows within 30 days after installation, Windows will stop working. If this happens, you won't be able to create new files or save changes to existing ones. You can regain full use of your computer by activating your copy of Windows.
To activate Windows on this computer, do the following:
Open Windows Activation by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Computer, clicking Properties, and then clicking Click here to activate Windows now. Administrator permission required If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
Where do I find my Windows product key for activation?
You can find your product key on your computer or on the installation disc holder inside the Windows package.
The product key sticker looks like this:
Windows product key sticker
| Connecting Vista to broadband How to connect your copy of Windows Vista to a broadband connection,,, |
Internet Explorer 7 Learn more about the latest browser from Microsoft... |
Add hardware Add new hardware to your Windows Vista PC... |
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| Administrative Tools Learn more about Windows Vista Admin Tools... |
Audio devices Connect and configure audio devices to your PC... |
Autoplay Configure how your PC automatically plays files... |
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Backup and Restore Center Learn about backing up and restoring files from your Vista PC... |
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| BitLocker Learn about Bitlocker data encryption... |
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| Color Management Manage the color of your screen... |
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| Control Panel The heart and soul of Windows Vista... |
Date and Time Set the date and time on your computer.. |
Default Programs Choose the default programs that will run for your files... |
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| Device Manager Manage the devices on your Windows Vista PC... |
Digital Identities Protect your identity from unauthorized access... |
Ease of Access Just like it says, several features that enable ease of access... |
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| Folder Options Control the characteristics of your folders... |
Fonts Check out the new Vista fonts... |
Game Controllers Configure controllers for Video games... |
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| Games Games included with Windows Vista... |
Indexing Options This determines how Vista indexes files... |
Internet Options Configure the way your browser displays the internet... |
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| Keyboard Options Configures the keyboard attached to your computer... |
Mouse Options Configure your mouse... |
Network Center Manage and configure your different networks... |
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| Network File and Print Sharing Manage the way you share files and printers across your networks... |
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| Network List List the networks available... |
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| Network Map This shows you the routes that your networks use... |
Offline Files Configure what files you have access to when you are offline... |
Parental Controls Monitor your kids and what they have access to... |
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| Pen and Input Devices Configure pens and input devices... |
People Near Me Microsoft's new collaboration tool... |
Performance Rating and Tools Just how Vista-capable is your PC anyway?... |
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| Personalization Personalize your computer to your taste... |
Phone and Modem Options Configure your phone and modem... |
Power Options Configure the way your PC uses electricity... |
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| Printers Configure printers... |
Problem Reports and Solutions Report problems and check for solutions... |
Programs and features Just like XP, you can see the programs installed on your PC... |
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| Regional and Language Options Vista configured for different regions and languages... |
Scanners and Cameras Set up scanners and/or cameras for your PC... |
Speech Recognition Microsoft's Speech recognition... |
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| Windows DVD Maker Windows Vista introduces a rich suite of tools that make it easier than ever to import, edit, manage, and share your digital home videos... |
Windows Media Player 11 Windows Media Player 11 for Windows XP offers great new ways to store and enjoy all your music, video, pictures, and recorded TV. |
Sync Center Sync files on your PC... |
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| Windows Firewall Windows Security Center monitors your system to see if you have a firewall installed, whether it's the Windows Firewall or a firewall product from another company... |
Windows Mail Windows Mail in Windows Vista addresses today's serious concerns about junk mail, e-mail, and phishing attacks... |
Windows Vista Welcome Center This screen pulls all the tasks you'll most likely want to complete when you set up your computer into a single location.... |
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| Windows Calendar Windows Calendar is a flexible, easy-to-use tool for planning and managing all of your activities and coordinating your schedule with other people's... |
Windows Meeting Space Windows Meeting Space enables face-to-face collaboration among small groups of Windows Vista users—virtually anytime, anywhere.... |
Windows Defender Windows Defender is a free program that helps protect your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software.... |
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| Windows Sidebar A storage area for common functions and gadgets on your desktop... |
Windows Photo Gallery Windows Photo Gallery offers an easier, more intuitive way to view, manage, and refine your photos and home movies... |
Windows Fax and Scan Windows Fax and Scan, makes it easy to send and receive faxes, scan documents and images... |
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| Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor Microsoft's new tool to evaluate your current hardware's upgradeability... |
Windows Vista e-Books Electronic Books about Windows Vista.. |
Windows Slideshow A slideshow feature for Vista... |
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| Windows Update Update your PC with the latest updates from Microsoft... |
Windows Vista Deployment Tools Microsoft's new Windows Vista Deployment Tools |
Vista Support Life Cycle Microsoft's support for Vista, when will it end? |
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| Windows Vista and Lotus Notes Microsoft's Windows Vista compatibility with Lotus Notes |
Windows Vista and VPN Windows Vista and VPN Clients... |
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