Vista activation crack #2 auto-renews the 30 day grace period

Strike three two for Vista's product activation system: the latest Vista activation workaround is called "Timerstop t2a" which works by automatically renewing the 30 day grace period before the user has to "activate" their presumably legit copy of Windows. Besides the obviously malicious undertone to these kind of utilities, we're certain that there are a whole lot of legitimate Vista owners out there that would prefer to go through this admittedly complex process rather than attempt the normal activation procedure. Just like with DRM, anti-piracy PSAs before movies, and heck, even excessive surveillance, innocent people tend not to like it when they're treated as suspects. The lesson for Microsoft is that when people want to pirate software, they will: even in the face of increasingly complex activation systems. A pity then that Redmond's fired up photocopiers technically can't copy a function that -- purposely -- doesn't exist in Mac OS X.

[Pete @ Mar 10th 2007 7:10PM]

And queue the anti-piracy fans and the anti-activation fans...

[3rdsun @ Mar 10th 2007 7:11PM]

"A pity then that Redmond's fired up photocopiers technically can't copy a function that -- purposely -- doesn't exist in Mac OS X."

What a low blow

[AndrewNeo @ Mar 10th 2007 7:21PM]

You know, you're right. Mac OS X is better than Vista.
Because all you have to do is download the ISO and install it. No activation, just easy pirating. Thanks, Apple!

[Argot @ Mar 10th 2007 7:22PM]

"A pity then that Redmond's fired up photocopiers technically can't copy a function that -- purposely -- doesn't exist in Mac OS X."

Well, no need when Jobs and his cult locks in their users via hardware instead.

[Geckotek @ Mar 10th 2007 7:23PM]

No fair comparing to OSX. If you're trying to run OSX, then Apple already got your money once for a machine/OS license. Not true for MS whose OS goes on other ppls hardware.

[James @ Mar 11th 2007 4:11AM]

You can run Mac os X via a couple of methods on an x86 pc, the fact the macs are using intel processors makes this possible to have it running stable. Probably best to have a virtual machine with all the hundreds of os versions around nowadays!
-
http://www.WindowsVistaUserGuide.com

[Ben @ Mar 10th 2007 7:24PM]

"A pity then that Redmond's fired up photocopiers technically can't copy a function that -- purposely -- doesn't exist in Mac OS X."

Unbiased reporting at its finest[/sarcasm]

[3rdsun @ Mar 10th 2007 7:40PM]

His name is Quilty-Harper not "quality writer" what do u expect

[stilldescending @ May 9th 2007 5:30PM]

This is a blog, not a newspaper. If you don't like what you're reading, find a newspaper...or a blog that better suits your particular bias.

[Rick @ Mar 10th 2007 7:36PM]

I realy can't understand why ppl pay for software that by anyones definition is spyware. You couldn't give it to me for free.

[J @ Mar 10th 2007 9:28PM]

My definition of spyware is that I do not want it and its malicious. Vista I want and it is not malicious because I do not do illegal things with my software.

Though I do love OS X because I could set it up within minutes of turning it on.

Though because you are locked into Apple hardware piracy is not such a problem as it is for Microsoft. I think software pirates suck, they would not walk into a store and steal the physical copy. They are theives without balls :/

[Roflgoat @ Mar 10th 2007 7:36PM]

"A pity then that Redmond's fired up photocopiers technically can't copy a function that -- purposely -- doesn't exist in Mac OS X"

Yeah... What was that about not being Mac-biased.

I think because of engadget and gizmodo, it seems that about 60%-75% of people in the world use a Mac, not 3%-5%

[derek @ Mar 10th 2007 8:04PM]

What about the 2099 hack? Why hasn't that been mentioned? It works the best. It makes the 30 day trial last until 2099, and can also tell Microsoft it is a valid copy.

[chevive7 @ Mar 30th 2008 6:15AM]

Can you please tell me ow to do this on a MAc?
I have Win Vista installed on my Mac but always deatic=vated after the 30 day period.
Please help.

[!R @ Mar 10th 2007 8:28PM]

"A pity then that Redmond's fired up photocopiers technically can't copy a function that -- purposely -- doesn't exist in Mac OS X."

truth hurts lol

[MacVicta @ Mar 10th 2007 8:29PM]

"A pity then that Redmond's fired up photocopiers technically can't copy a function that -- purposely -- doesn't exist in Mac OS X."

You brave soul. I know it's difficult to state such things even jokingly as the MS fanboys and hired blogger bullies will come out of the woodwork claiming Engadget is biased.

I applaud you, Mr. Quilty-Harper, for standing up in face of the Microsoft monopoly. Citizens like yourself are the reason why the Redmond empire is crumbling.

Why upgrade to Vista when you can upgrade past it? We now have a choice.

http://www.apple.com/getamac

http://www.apple.com/macosx/leopard/

[Bob @ Mar 10th 2007 10:41PM]

Wow, speaking of hired bloggers.

[Cullen D @ Mar 10th 2007 8:35PM]

This is actually completely legitimate. You can only renew this 30 day grace period two or three times (cant remember) it is part of the OEM resealing process... Not really big news...

[BrandonLehman @ Mar 10th 2007 8:40PM]

Wow, I actually didn't know there was such a thing as a Microsoft / Windows fanboi. My world view is collapsing!

[Finite @ Mar 10th 2007 8:43PM]

Apple don't require activation simply because you must own a Mac to install their OS, it just is tied to a select set of hardware.... They already have you tied in.

If you install a pirate version of their OS, at least you're installing it on their hardware. Cracking a kernel to remove a hardware tie in is a huge achievement but it still isn't enough to guarantee that pirates could use OS X to its full potential on generic hardware without jumping through a lot of hoops.

The innovations of both Microsoft and Apple have really led the personal computer to where it is today. We've come quite a long way in the past two decades alone.

I'm extremely disappointed with the tone of this article. "A pity then that Redmond's fired up photocopiers technically can't copy a function that -- purposely -- doesn't exist in Mac OS X." Think about what you say before you carve it in stone for millions to read (I wonder if this will come back to me), these are different markets and shouldn't be compared straight across.

As a side note, I personally have no problem taking 2 minutes to activate a piece of software I'll be using for years, it's not like it requires the cd to be in the drive at all times, heh.

[ryan @ Mar 10th 2007 8:44PM]

"we're certain that there are a whole lot of legitimate Vista owners out there that would prefer to go through this admittedly complex process rather than attempt the normal activation procedure."

how hard is it really to click 'activate my copy of windows'? i'm a mac user and i use os x, but really, at least try to make sense when you deliver the low blows

[bnycastro @ Mar 10th 2007 8:49PM]

i've tried bootleg OS before [winxp] and it was pretty unstable a lot of BSODs on my notebook so i decided to get an orig copy and no more BSODs. when i do upgrade to vista i'll probably get an orig copy.

[daddycool @ Mar 10th 2007 8:52PM]

How can you compare this to DRM? You blame them for trying to get people to pay for the product? All they sell is software. Everyone who uses it should have paid for their copy. If you're running OSX you're running it on a Mac, you've paid for your copy. Apple fanboyism gets annoying.

[Travis @ Mar 10th 2007 8:55PM]

"...we're certain that there are a whole lot of legitimate Vista owners out there that would prefer to go through this admittedly complex process rather than attempt the normal activation procedure."

Yeah, I see your point, since activating my copy of Vista through the "normal activation procedure" took me all of 3 minutes. As for the Redmond swipe, I shan't even acknowledge such bias with a response.

[Ignatius @ Mar 10th 2007 9:03PM]

Windows sucks, but Mac _really_ sucks.

Proof; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Tq7yykR-DM

Why do I say this? "I just took the camera and put a cord from the camera to the computer..."

If you're willing to pay it up the arse for a $5k machine with $1k parts in it... go right ahead, but it's your money and you're probably computer illiterate.

[Colostomy Bagpiper @ Mar 12th 2007 6:02PM]

You know when you are truly computer literate when you can see that Apple does a far better job with an operating system then Microsoft ever will. A 5k Mac? That would be one serious computer, a computer that the Dell equivalent would be 7k.
My set up was only half that with dual Dual Core 2.66, 4gig of ram, 250 gig HD, NVidia GeForce 7300 & all the other bells & whistles that are pretty much standard on tehse machines. I am in an office surrounded by Dells, high end low end - and I'll tell you what, it is like having a Benz in a parking lot full of Hyndais.

Keep on fooling yourself, Microsoft needs drones.

[azesino @ Mar 10th 2007 9:30PM]

"A pity then that Redmond's fired up photocopiers technically can't copy a function that -- purposely -- doesn't exist in Mac OS X"

Conrad My friend, I bet that remark was just made to start a flame war, Its Ignorancy to its finest, comment this fanboish seriously dont belong in a place like engadget, where most of it's readers have at least some college of education.

Microsoft is not in the hardware business and you should know this better than anybody else, Apple is, they dont make money with software, their real profits come from your beloved mac sales, even OSX is copied, crack, or whatever you still need to buy their hardware to run it, while MS dosn't have this advantage.

[vakerrokero @ Mar 10th 2007 9:46PM]

I always get lockups on Windows bootlegs, Betas & Service Packs 2. Windows will be good the day they decide to get rid of all that legacy stuff. Just get USB in there all those that still use Coms and printer ports and serial ports probably already have a good computer to use tem, and will never upgrade from their windows 2000 since they just did that last week.

[Ben @ Mar 10th 2007 9:48PM]

I think the best current Vista crack is the one that makes it indefinitely the first day of the 30-day grace period. I say this because not only will your "trial" never expire, but you also have access to security updates and Ultimate Extras straight from Microsoft because they allow updates in the first three days of the trial.

[nofluke69 @ Mar 10th 2007 10:13PM]

A pity then that Redmond's fired up photocopiers technically can't copy a function that -- purposely -- doesn't exist in Mac OS X.

You lost all objectivity and credibility with that last sentence. Makes it really hard to ever read anything else you write, and take it at face value.

[Andy @ Mar 10th 2007 10:18PM]

Well, I'm not interested in this kind of stuff, I am interested in a crack that disables the DRM system and HDCP crap, because it uses system resources and it's unneeded. I will pay and upgrade to Vista when they have this. I am happy with Win XP right now.

[MrPieGuy @ Mar 10th 2007 10:23PM]

Well I hate to say it but goodbye engadget. I love the amount of good tech products you show here, but the quality of writing and bias has gone so downhill the last couple months. So here's to the last article I'll ever read on this site.

[MacVicta @ Mar 10th 2007 10:41PM]

MrPieGuy (and anyone else thinking of jumping ship), I've taken the liberty of finding some new blogs that should be more to your liking.

http://www.winsupersite.com/

http://www.internet-nexus.com/

http://microsoft.blognewschannel.com/

Won't have to worry about anything negative pertaining to MS there. All the rich, gooey Microsoft butt-hugging you can handle.

[3t3 @ Mar 10th 2007 10:34PM]

So Engadget will let anyone with no sense of what true journalism is write for it now? If this keeps up, this site will decrease in popularity and will only caters to a certain segments of the fanbois. Just present us the facts in your writing and leave it as that. We don't need your bias and useless opinions. Or else go read a book on what real journalism is before you write anything here.
And for you Apple fanbois out there, the more you act like Steve Job is your king, the more you make ppl think you are a bunch of dumbass idiots. We live in a capitalistic society where competition is encourage and the market will decide who the winners or losers are with their money. Last time I check, something like 95% of the world's computers run "Windoze" as you idiots called it. Hmmm...then what percentage of the world are using Macs? So those boys at Redmond must be doing something right. The market and the public always get it right in the end. Just like with the Ipods, if it's a "desirable" product overall then the ppl will buy it. So shut your bias pie-hole and let the products speak for themselves.

[Jake @ Mar 10th 2007 10:36PM]

Anyone who buys Vista right now is sending a message (not to mention a wad of cash) to Microsoft saying:

"Dear Microsoft, your latest product is EXACTLY what I want; DRM, super-invasive anti-piracy tools that assume I am a p2p-kiddy, etc. I hope your next Windows version (2009) contains more of the same"

[MarkZ @ Mar 10th 2007 10:21PM]

What?

[MarkZ @ Mar 10th 2007 11:43PM]

MacVicta? More like, Mac Victim...!

Check mate.

[keith waddington @ Mar 10th 2007 10:46PM]

3t3

lol you are right! and I think Mc Donald's must be doing something right too. And I for one think it's their cooking, choice ingredients, and that special ambience of all their many many many world-wide eating places.

And people who think that popularity doesn't mean quality are probably commies, euro-trash or even illegal enemy combatants who hate America. And you just know that all mac fanboys want commie free healthcare. retards. I hope they all drop dead cos they can't afford a doctor.

So, I'm with you man. And God bless Microsoft and all who sail in her.

keep smiling

waddo
http://www.waddo.net/

[Robert McLaws @ Mar 10th 2007 11:08PM]

Um... that's not a crack guys. It's a script that does something you could have done manually. And it only works 3 times. Oh yeah, and by the way, it's a documented Microsoft method of extending your trial.

But thanks for playing.

[Cullen D @ Mar 10th 2007 11:17PM]

good one Robert ;) read my post on page 1. Engadget is going down hill

[James @ Mar 10th 2007 11:08PM]

While I do agree to the fact that you are kinda locked in to the (now thanks to virtualization) more flexible Mac Hardware/Software setup and thusly Mac OS, when you buy a new PC, how many vendors offer you an alternative to Windows, nor even a computer with no os? Pretty much just Dell and that has been on select systems and only for a short time. At least the Mac OS is included in the price, and its the full version, so you dont have to add another $600 to the total of your PC. Funny, sounds like a bit of a ripoff considering you get a FULL OS included in the price of your Mac, as well as world leading software.

Now, that covers new computers

But for the used computer, you will have to purchase an upgrade (or a full version should you be unlucky) of Vista or OSX. It is in this department that the security issues are more apparent. With Mac, I could just borrow my friends' CD, or download the ISO. While it may cause a slight loss in revenue for the company, it also works in their favor, bringing bigger numbers to the current OS leaving less in the old versions which lose compatibility as time goes on. If you want to be left behind in a system where you have to pay for upgrades or physically crack the operating system into working in such a way it's not designed to, stay with Windows. Personally, the security and looks of OSX trump anything M$ could 'copy'.

M$ fanbois - take aim and prepare to return fire!

People don't realise that the cost of a computer is not on the sticker, but at the end of its life

[roblin @ Mar 10th 2007 11:36PM]

Wow, some guys here must have very small dicks. I was a joke DUH!

[jsis @ Mar 10th 2007 11:56PM]

I wonder how much engadget gets paid by Apple inc., in addition to the royalties from the amount of clicks on the PC vs. Mac ads in this site?

[tanner @ Mar 11th 2007 12:17AM]

"So Engadget will let anyone with no sense of what true journalism is write for it now?"
Seriously?
These guys never claimed to be elite journalists. If you can't take some of their own humor on their own god damn BLOG then leave, but quit the bitching about "journalistic integrity." Maybe you are all too thick to understand that that was intended to be a joke. Guess what... Jokes are funny, laugh at them and move on. If you want "true journalism", thats great; as far as I can remember, every single Engadget article I have read has had a [Read] link. Go there for your journalism, read here for a summary and commentary(maybe even a few of those joke things i mentioned earlier!), make your comments and quit bitching.

[Jeremiah Hoffman @ Mar 11th 2007 3:12AM]

i'm of the type that will use the crack just to see if it is possible. but i'd much rather use a legal activated version because, well someone had to write the code. however i'm also not stupid, my school buys keys and gives them out to eligible students and i just happen to be an eligible student. yeah it's only vista business, but now i can upgrade to vista ultimate as soon as i want to for $139 plus tax and maybe s/h if i buy the disc. now that's a good deal.

[John Doe @ Mar 11th 2007 3:12AM]

I love it....

"Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purpose only."

Yah right. If that is the case I'm Bill Gates. Yah know I wish people who post this shit would give up the false pretense that its for BOOMING VOICE "educational purposes only". No one on the face of this planet buys it for a nanosecond. A chicken is a chicken, a politician is a politician, a robber is a robber, and a person posting a how to guide is... a well you get the idea.
I'm not commenting on if it’s right or wrong. I have a free copy of Vista sitting on my desk. I haven't decided on which system is going to get it so its nice I at least have this option of trying it on every system for a protracted amount of time before I choose. But lets at least be honest here. This ain’t for educational purposes. Period. End of story. Close the book. G’night.

[Jeremiah Hoffman @ Mar 11th 2007 3:14AM]

i hate the stupid confirm comment system here, i can't figure out how to change my password for it so whenever i want to leave a comment i hav to remeber to confirm it or i have to searc forever to find my password. god damn it i'm lazy.

[Carbonize @ Mar 11th 2007 3:33AM]

Shame the stories also factually incorrect. Timerstop does exactly what it say, it stops the thirty day timer it does not renew it. Also it is called Timerstop V2a not T2a.

You are meant to use the 2099 bypass when first installing Vista and then once installed you run this program to install a service that stops the countdown.

Whatever happened to doing some research? All the writer had to do was Google Timerstop to get some information on how i actually works. As far as I can see all Engadget staff do is read the links people send them in emails then rehash the story without ever doing any research on it.

[John Doe @ Mar 11th 2007 3:51AM]

That's not what the linked site says....

To automatically apply the TimerStop driver to crack and bypass Windows Vista activation by using the TimerLock script:

1. Install Windows Vista without entering any product key. If you have already installed Windows Vista, make sure you don’t use up the 3 times legal rearm limit. Anyway, version 5 will ensure that TimerStop driver is installed even though rearm allowances have been used up.
2. After installation setup complete, boot up Windows Vista system with user id with administrator rights.
3. Disconnect from Internet if necessary.
4. Turn off UAC. (Not necessary required since version 2.0, try only if unsuccessful)
5. Extract the TimerLock.zip or TimerLockSetup.zip to a folder.
6. Run install.bat or TimerLockSetup.exe.
7. When prompted to restart computer, press OK.
8. System should prompt that the patch was installed properly. If not check your system date if it has properly set back.
9. Optional: If you have problem that the activation timer counts down between restarts or reboots, manually apply 2099 trick.
10. Check if your activation remaining timer still counting down with slmgr.vbs -dlv command in elevated command prompt.

[Carbonize @ Mar 11th 2007 4:36AM]

Well every other site that talks about it clearly states that you check the time left for your trial and then run the program. Then a few minutes later check how much time you have left again and if the time has not changed the crack has worked.