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HOW TO: Enable and disable Auto-activation feature in Windows Vista

Article ID: 555913 - View products that this article applies to.

Author: Yang You MVP

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SUMMARY

This step-by-step article describes how to enable and disable Auto-activation feature in Windows Vista.

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

Disable the Auto-activation feature
To disable the Auto-activation feature, follow these steps:

Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then click regedit.exe in the Programs list.
Note: If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type your password or click Continue.
Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SL\Activation
Change the DWORD value Manual to 1.
0 = Allow Auto-activation (Default)
1 = Disable Auto-activation
Exit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

Enable the Auto-activation feature
To enable the Auto-activation feature, follow these steps:

Click Start, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then click regedit.exe in the Programs list.
Note: If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type your password or click Continue.
Locate and then click the following registry subkey:
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SL\Activation
Change the DWORD value Manual to 0.
0 = Allow Auto-activation (Default)
1 = Disable Auto-activation
Exit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

If the end user chooses to automatically activate Windows online when he sets up his computer, automatic activation begins trying to active his copy of Windows three days after he logs on for the first time.

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Article ID: 555913 - Last Review: April 11, 2007 - Revision: 1.0

APPLIES TO

Windows Vista Ultimate
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Home Premium

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