Select the product you need help with

After you run the "slmgr.vbs –upk" command on a Windows Vista-based computer, you cannot see the licensing information, and the Windows Vista activation status is lost

Article ID: 947241 - View products that this article applies to.

SYMPTOMS

After you run the slmgr.vbs –upk command on a Windows Vista-based computer, you cannot see the licensing information as expected. Additionally, the Windows Vista activation status is lost.

For example, after you run the slmgr.vbs –upk command, you may decide to run the slmgr.vbs – dli command or the slmgr.vbs – dlv command to display the Windows Vista licensing information. However, no result is returned in this situation. Additionally, you may receive the following error message when you check the Windows activation information:

This copy of Windows is not activated. Click here to activate Windows now.

Finally, when you restart the computer, you may be prompted to insert a product key. In this situation, Windows Vista may enter reduced functionality mode.

Back to the top | Give Feedback

CAUSE

This problem occurs because the slmgr.vbs –upk command clears all product keys that are present on the computer. For example, these may include the Multiple Activation Key (MAK) and the Key Management Service (KMS) key.

Back to the top | Give Feedback

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, use one of the following methods.

Method 1

In the Start Search box, type command prompt, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.
In the Administrator: Command Prompt window, type a command that resembles the following, and then press ENTER:
cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ipk {ProductKey}
Note If your organization uses a KMS key instead of a MAK key, use the generic KMS key that is provided in the Pid.txt file. This file is located in the \sources folder on the Windows Vista installation DVD.
Type a command that resembles the following, and then press ENTER:
cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ato

Method 2

Click the error message that is mentioned in the "Symptoms" section.
Type the product key, and then follow the instructions to activate the product key.

Method 3

Restart the computer.
Log on to the computer. The Windows Activation window will appear.
Type the product key, and then follow the instructions to activate the product key.

Back to the top | Give Feedback

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

Back to the top | Give Feedback

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to reproduce the problem

In the Start Search box, type command prompt, right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.
In the Administrator: Command Prompt window, type a command that resembles the following, and then press ENTER:
cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -upk
Type a command that resembles the following, and then press ENTER:
cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -dli

The script generates the following text:

Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.7
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

However, if you do not use the slmgr.vbs –upk command, the slmgr.vbs -dli command generates text that resembles the following:

Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Version 5.7
Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Name: Windows(TM) Vista, BusinessN edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Vista, VOLUME_KMSCLIENT channel
Partial Product Key: VMQBT
License Status: Initial grace period
Time remaining: 43187 minute(s) (29 day(s))

Key Management Service client information
    Client Machine ID (CMID): 
    DNS auto-discovery: KMS name not available
    KMS machine extended PID: 
    Activation interval: 120 minutes
    Renewal interval: 10080 minutes

Back to the top | Give Feedback