WinGuggle Free Download to Get Vista Product Key or Change OEM Logo and Performance Index Score

WinGuggle is a small application that can retrienve and get Windows Vista Product Key (also known as CD-Key) easily from the registry. Normally you won’t need WinGuggle, unless you have dislocate or misplace your original Windows Vista DVD disc or its licensed product key, and need to recover and view the product key from the installed Vista for backup.

Other than getting Windows Vista product key back from registry, WinGuggle also can change OEM logo and OEM information, and also Windows Experience Index score in Performance Information and Tools.

Note that OEM manufacturer’s factory installed product key (normally comes with Vista system that is already pre-activated) cannot be used to fresh or clean install Vista. In this case, your personal Vista product key is located on the COA sticker attached on the computer, and using WinGuggle to view OEM product key is useless.

WinGuggle does not require installation. To run WinGuggle, just unpack the archive and execute and application.

Download WinGuggle.

Easily Change Product Key with Windows Product Key Update Tool Free Download

Occassionally some Windows Vista user may need to activate his or her copy of Windows Vista operating system through phone activation, such as in situation where the computer is offline without Internet access. Other possible reason to use phone to activate instead of automatic online activation is failure or facing problem to activate Vista online, and user have to fallback to alternative.

Windows Vista customer normally have to activate all editions of the OS through Microsoft’s activation server, with the exception of preinstalled OEM (recovery) copies of Vista. For OEM version of Windows Vista, Microsoft no longer provides any support. User must contact the OEM to activate the OS, where the contact information should be included in the support documentation that came with your computer or OEM Vista installation CD/DVD package. However, an OEM (retail) version of Windows Vista installation DVD that is bought separately and did not come preinstalled on a OEM computer is still supported by Microsoft.

For most users, activation process normally starts with attempt to activate Vista online. Online activation is simple and effective way to activate the copy of installed Vista, and when it fails or cannot activate successfully, then user can opt to activate by phone. If you want to skip and bypass online activation and go straight to activate Vista by phone (i.e. in the case of offline PC with no Internet connection, do these steps:

1. Click on Start Menu.
2. Type slui.exe 4 into Start Search, and then press Enter.
3. Go to step 10.

Normal activation procedures for Windows Vista, including fallback on phone activation:

1. Click on Start Menu.
2. Right click on Computer and then click Properties, or open the Control Panel -> System and Maintenance -> System icon.
3. Scroll down to the Windows activation section and click on the Activate Windows now link.

   

4. Click on Activate Windows online now.

   

   Note: If you have not entered a product key during installation, the wizard will ask for a genuine serial key. If you uncertain of the serial number key used, or want to change the key used, click on Change product key link.

   And, this step must fails in order to go to phone activation.

5. If the online activation process, user can continue to attempt to activate using automated phone system by clicking on Use the automated phone system to activate option.

   

6. Select your location and click on Next button when prompt to find available phone numbers for activation.

   

7. Click Continue if prompted with UAC dialog box, except for those who had disabled UAC.
8. A local phone number or nearest telephone number will be displayed on screen, together with a set of Installation ID (54 numbers in total – 6 numbers in 9 groups) generated by Windows.
9. Call the activation phone number.
10. The call will be answered by automated voice response (AVR) system, that asked caller to speak, or if voice recognition failed, press the phone button to enter the Installation ID listed behind “Step 2″. The numbers needed to enter is a lot (54). If you want simpler way to do it, just speak and enter anything to let automated service fails, and then wait for the call to transfer to activation operator (a real human). Sometimes, if for some reason the Installation ID entered is not accepted by the AVR, your call may be transferred to human operator too.

    

    Note: The human operator may ask for the reason that causes requirement of reactivation or activation of Vista. Just tell the truth, e.g. hardware upgrade, transferring to new PC (for non-OEM edition only) and etc (see activation FAQ).

11. No matter who you talk to (machine or human CSO), a set of Confirmation ID numbers which consists of 48 digits (6 numbers in 8 groups) will be given if Microsoft believes that your copy of Windows Vista is genuine and legitimate.

    Write down the Confirmation ID.

12. Back to Windows Vista, type in the Confirmation ID given by the phone system into the wizard boxes after the “Step 3″, and then click on Next button.
13. The activation should be successfully done with Activation was successful window appears. Click on Close button to quit.

    

View and Retrieve or Change Windows (XP, Vista, 2003, 2000 and more) and Office (XP, 2003, 92) Product Key or CD Key

The Windows computer may come preinstalled with Microsoft Windows operating system and Microsoft Office productivity suite, and the user may not even see or access to the product key or CD key that needed to install Windows OS and Office System, and to make sure that the products are genuine. You may simply want to write down and safekeep the Windows and/or Office product CD key or serial number for future usage or for documentation purpose, as the key is as good as license to use Windows and Office. Or you want to get back the CD key that has been forgotten before reinstalling Windows or Office. There are a few tools and utilities that allows you to easily and quickly retrieve the Windows product key and Office CD key or serial number. Some of them has the ability to change the serial key too, in case you need to modify the product key in Windows due to case like 326904 error “The Product Key Used to Install Windows Is Invalid” or incorrect product license key.

Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder

Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is a freeware and free download that let users view and retrieve the product Key or CD key used to install Windows and Office from the registry. Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder currently able to support and reveal product CD key from Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista. For Office, it supports retrieval of product key or CD key or serial number for Office 97, Office XP and Office 2003.

Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder can be downloaded here or directly download the current version 1.51 of Keyfinder.

Best of all, Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder also supports changing the Windows Product Key without reinstall Windows to another product key or CD key or COA in Windows 95, 98, ME, and XP.

Windows Product Key Viewer & XP/98 Key Changer (Demoware)

Windows Product Key Viewer/Changer can recover lost product keys on an installed and activated Windows XP including Service Pack 2, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000 and Windows 2003 operating system. It also supports ability to change CD product keys on Windows 98, Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional without reinstalling Windows.

Keyfinder Thing Lite! and KeyFinder Thing 3

Utility to find serial numbers or product key licenses from more than 150 application software.

CD Key Reader

CD Key Reader is a small utility that can be downloaded and run immediately without installation. CD Key Reader can only retrieve product cd keys for modern Microsoft applications such as Windows or Office.

Windows Genuine Advantage Diagnostics Tool

Official tool from Microsoft means for WGA program. However, it can only show the last 15 digits of the Windows CD key. The tool can be downloaded here.

Windows Product Key Update Tool

Another utility from Microsoft that allows Windows users to change or update the product key of Windows OS. However, if you steal or crack somebody else’s CD key or product key, this tool is not recommended, as the Product Key Update Tool will scan a number of key Windows files to determine if they have been tampered with. If tampered files are discovered, the tool will alert you before continuing. And it will also sending the information back to Microsoft about the file tampering scan and Windows validation information. Windows Product Key Update Tool can be downloaded here with more information and usage instructions.

Win9xProdKey

Win9xProdKey from Vic Ferri reveals CD keys for Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows Me.

ViewKeyXP

ViewKeyXP, also from Vic Ferri, reveals and shows Windows XP CD key and serial number.

RockXP

RockXP is a free multi purpose utility that allows users to get all Microsoft software serial number, retrieve you Internet connection parameters such as passwords, retrieve MSN login and password, recover XP login and HASH password, display system password (LSA) and generate random password. RockXP also has the ability to change the product key or serial for Windows XP, and automatically hack and crack to bypass the Windows XP Product Activation.

To view and change the Windows XP serial or CD key, simply click on “Windows key” tab, and click on Scan to retrieve the installed product key, and key in the new CD key serial to change the product key.

RockXP can be downloaded here or directly download RockXP 4.0.

Key Checker

A small yet unique tool to find Windows Vista and Windows XP product key or serial number from registry periodically according to the timing set, and log the key found to the screen or file.

AC2T KeyViewer

KeyViewer from AC2T is a free tool that will decode the encoded Windows CD key and Office product key or serial in Windows 98 SE (including other Windows 9x), Windows ME Windows W2K and Windows XP that is stored under “DigitalProductId” registry key under “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion” registry branch. It also supports users to input raw key retrieved from the registry themselves for the tool to decode to readable product key.

The raw key decoding feature is useful is you unable to login or logon to the Windows, but you need to retrieve the Windows product key or serial for reinstallation or other purpose. By using a bootable CD with a registry editor such as Offline NT Password & Registry Editor CD Bootdisk, users can then retrieve the raw key found in ProductId or DigitalProductId registry key by booting up on the CD, and input into KeyViewer for decoding into a valid product key serial.

Download AC2T KeyViewer.

Manually Viewing and Get the Product Key or CD Key in Windows 9x from Registry

Windows product key is stored in plain text in the Registry and in the file system.dat. In Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me. To view and retrieve the CD key, launch registry editor (click on Start -> Run, key in regedit and click OK), and navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion” registry branch. Locate the ProductKey in the right pane for Windows 98 and Me, or ProductID for Windows 95 where the Windows CD key serial is stored.

You can also automate the process by creating a batch file with the following commands:

For Windows 98 or Windows Me:

@echo off
start /w regedit /e key.txt HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
type key.txt|find “ProductKey”>mykey.txt
del key.txt

For Windows 95:

@echo off
start /w regedit /e key.txt HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
type key.txt|find “ProductID”>mykey.txt
del key.txt

Recover the Product Key or CD Key in Windows 9x without Go Into Windows

To retrieve the Windows 95 or Windows 98 product key without getting into Windows itself, download the key.zip for Vic Ferri, and copy the extracted batch file to a bootable floopy disk. Boot up and computer with the startup floopy disk, and simply run the key.bat (by typing key or key.bat and press Enter) to get the product key. For Windows 95, edit the batch file and replace the word ProductKey with ProductID.

The batch file contains the following commands to retrieve the product serial from system.dat:

@echo off
find “ProductKey” c:\windows\system.dat

If you’re using Windows 95, make sure the lines look like the following:

@echo off
find “ProductID” c:\windows\system.dat

Manual Retrieve Product Key for Windows XP and Windows 2000 from $WINNT$.INF file

$WINNT$.INF located in \Windows\System32 folder is the file that used by Windows installer to perform unattended or automated installs of Windows NT, 2000 or XP. If the file exists, and you have the administrative rights to access the file, the Windows product key can be found and viewed under the section [User Data] (usually at the top), under the name of ProductKey or ProductID.

Serial Change script for XP and XP SP1 or greater

Download save the Serial Change script for XP (XPChangeSerial.vbs) or Serial Change script for XP w/sp1 or greater (XPChangeSerialSP1.vbs). Then execute the vbs script from the command line (you have to go to the location or folder that you save the script in order to run the script) with the syntax:

XPChangeSerial.vbs xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

or

XPChangeSerialSP1.vbs xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx

Change Volume Licensing product key for Windows XP SP1 or later with Activation Wizard or ChangeVLKeySP1.vbs/ChangeVLKey2600.vbs WMI script

Microsoft provides a detailed instructions and step by step guides on how to change the Windows XP VLK product key or serial key by using Activation Wizard, or by using WMI script.

Belarc Advisor

Belarc Advisor is the personal computer audit tool that details profile of your installed software and hardware, missing Microsoft hotfixes, anti-virus status, CIS (Center for Internet Security) benchmarks, and etc. Information shown include the Windows product key.

Everest

Everest from Lavalys is a automated network audit, system change tracking, network monitoring solution, system diagnostics and benchmarking solution that will display the Windows product key, among others.

XPPID Windows XP Product Key Modifier

A small application that allows users to easily change Windows XP product key number by entering new valid XP product key into the field provided and the just press the ‘Change Key’ button. Then the application will run the patched activation process so that the Windows is fully activated after reboot.

Download XPPID.

How to Update and Change Windows XP Product Key Manually

Although there are plenty of software applications that can change the product key installed in Windows XP automatically, but some users may prefer to manually change the product key by themselves. Changing or modifying Windows XP product key is not a common practice after installation, especially so if already activated, and that explains why Microsoft didn’t have built-in mechanism to edit the product key used in Windows XP.

However, for some reason such as the need to change the product key to newly purchased genuine product key, especially when the existing installation of OS is pirated or illegal. The situation also happens in big corporations which have volume licensing (VL) agreemnts with Microsoft, which tends to use a same VLK (Volume License Key) or leaked product key to activate all computers. To enter and make use of the new product key does not really require whole fresh re-installation of Windows XP. Follow the hacking guide below to remove and delete current product key used to activate existing copy of Windows XP, and force the OS to prompt user to enter new product key for activation.

1. Click on Start and then Run.
2. In the Open text box, type regedit and click OK to run Registry Editor program.
3. In the left pane, locate and then click the following registry key:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents

4. In the right pane, right-click OOBETimer, and then click Modify.
5. Change at least one digit of this value in the Value Data to deactivate Windows.
6. Click Start, and then click Run.
7. In the Open box, type the following command, and then click OK:

   %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a

8. When the Windows Product Activation window appears, click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows, and then click Next.
9. Click Change Product key.
10. Type the new product key in the New key boxes, and then click Update.

    If you are returned to the previous window, click Remind me later, and then restart the computer.

11. For user using OEM system or volume license product key (VLK), repeat steps 6 and 7 to verify that Windows is activated. User should receive the following message:
    

    Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit.

    For retail Windows XP users, a 30 days registration for activation reminder will appear. User will have to connect to Internet for online registration and activation, or call the local Microsoft activation hotline for phone activation.

Hardware-Assisted Virtualization (HAV) Detection Tool Free Download

More and more virtualization product or solution such as VMWare Workstation and Windows Virtual PC now requires Hardware Assisted Virtualization (HAV) CPU feature in order to function properly as allows a virtual machine hypervisor to run an unmodified operating system without incurring significant emulation performance penalties. The largest chip makers, Intel and AMD implement hardware assisted virtualization in their processors as Intel VT (VT-x) and AMD-V respectively. However, not all modern CPU has hardware-assisted virtualization capability built-in though.

For user who want to verify, check, determine or get to know whether his or her PC computer supports hardware-assisted virtualization, there is a software utility named SecurAble which able to display hardware virtualization support status as Yes, No, Locked On and Locked Off.

Microsoft has also released a application tool that able to detect status of Hardware-Assisted Virtualization (HAV) support on the computer system’s CPU microprocessor. Aptly named as Hardware-Assisted Virtualization Detection Tool or simply as HAV Detection Tool, the utility can detect and check if the computer meets the processor requirements to run Windows Virtual PC, i.e. hardware-assisted virtualization.

Download HAV Detection Tool: havdetectiontool.exe

Using HAV Detection Tool is easy, just run the executable, and the results of whether hardware virtualization support is existed on the system or not (together with ability to install Windows Virtual PC) will be displayed on result dialog. It’s standalone program, thus no installation or uninstallation required.

Enable RemoteApp in Windows XP or Vista To Publish Programs to Windows 7

Windows Virtual PC in Windows 7 features an unique and useful feature which allows virtual applications installed on guest operating system of Windows XP or Windows Vista in the virtual machine to be seamlessly accessed and launched from host Windows 7 desktop as if it’s running on the end user’s local computer. Users can run programs from guest virtual machine side by side with local programs, with full ability to minimize, maximize, and resize the program window, and can easily start multiple programs at the same time.

The seamless applications integration of Windows 7 Virtual PC feature is utilizing RemoteApp technology from Terminal Services (TS). Microsoft includes RemoteApp feature into Windows Virtual PC for Windows 7 to provide application backward compatibility for some programs and software utilities that can only run in Windows XP or Windows Vista.

To convenient Windows 7 users who need to instantly get started running Windows XP productivity applications, Microsoft is providing pre-configured and pre-activated Windows XP virtual machine as in Windows XP Mode. However, some users or administrators may prefer to install their own operating system into the virtual machine as guest OS. In these cases, users who want to use the seamless applications integration feature can download KB961741 or KB961742 RAIL QFE update from Microsoft to enable RemoteApp.

Note that the patch will have to installed in Windows XP SP3 or Windows Vista SP1 or Windows Vista SP2 virtual machine running in Windows Virtual PC in Windows 7. It is is not required for Windows XP Mode image downloaded from Microsoft though, as it’s already been pre-configured.

Download RAIL QFE KB961741 for Windows Vista SP1 or above

Microsoft Download Center: Windows6.0-KB961741-x86.msu

Download RAIL QFE KB961742 for Windows XP SP3

Updated Version:
Microsoft Download Center: KB961742-v3.exe

Older Version:
Microsoft Download Center: KB961742-v3.exe

TechNet and MSDN: en_rail_qfe_for_windows_xp_sp3_x86_439642.exe

Workaround to Install Windows XP Mode in Windows 7 Home Premium and Home Basic

Windows XP Mode (XPM) is a pre-installed and pre-activated licensed copy Windows XP SP3 as guest OS virtual machine package for Windows Virtual PC. Microsoft provides Windows XP Mode as a mean to provide backward compatibility for legacy productivity software. In Windows XP Mode, a pre-installed RemoteApp integration components allow guest applications running within the virtualized environment to be integrated into host Windows 7 desktop, and appear as if running directly on the host, sharing the native desktop and Start Menu of Windows 7 as well as participating in file type associations.

Unfortunately, Windows XP Mode is only available free of charge to users of Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions, as it’s widely considered as buy one free one deal, with a free licensed copy of Windows XP comes with Windows 7. However, Microsoft does provide Windows Virtual PC for every editions of Windows 7 except Windows 7 Starter edition.

Good news is that, according to MDL forum thread, in order to ensure that Windows XP Mode can be run properly without activation worry, Microsoft has embedded the necessary OEM:SLP (System Locked Pre-activation) string in the Windows Virtual PC’s BIOS so that offline OEM activation automatically activate Windows XP Mode. Thus, with the necessary OEM:SLP product key and OEMBIOS files, Windows 7 Home Basic and Windows 7 Home Premium users can manually install Windows XP on Windows Virtual PC guest virtual machine, and perform the steps in the hack below to create a Windows XP Mode with full integration features and functionality.

Tip: The guide can also be used any any editions of Windows 7 to create and install multiple or more than one activated Windows XP as Windows XP Mode with full integration features including seamless application publishing to host.

Hack to Manually Create and Install Windows XP Mode in Windows 7

1. Ensure that the computer is capable of running Windows Virtual PC, as Windows Virtual PC (and hence Windows XP Mode) required hardware-assisted virtualization. Microsoft also provides Hardware-Assisted Virtualization (HAV) Tool as free download to check the CPU capability.

   Tip: Hardware-assisted virtualization is supported on most CPU processors, but may have disabled or locked in BIOS. In this case, reboot into BIOS to change the setting.

2. Download and install Windows Virtual PC.

   Note: It’s impossible to download Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode from Microsoft Virtual PC homepage if user selects the operating system as 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic or Windows 7 Home Premium.

3. After installing Windows Virtual PC, browse to Windows Virtual PC folder by clicking on Start menu -> All Programs -> Windows Virtual PC -> Windows Virtual PC.

   A Windows Explorer window showing “Virtual Machines” folder will be opened.

4. Start the new virtual machine wizard by clicking on Create virtual machine button on the toolbar.
5. Enter a name for the new virtual machine, such as Windows XP, Windows XP SP3 or simply Windows XP Mode, and then click on Next button.
6. Specify a value for RAM setting, which allocate size of memory for the virtual machine. By default, it’s 512 MB, but a 256 MB should be enough for Windows XP. Then, click on Next.
7. Click on Create button to create the new virtual machine.
8. Insert a Windows XP setup installation CD into the CD/DVD drive disc tray (by default, Windows Virtual PC captures the physical drive for virtual machine to access).

   Alternatively, download Windows XP SP3 ISO, then right click on the VM, select Properties. Go to DVD Drive tab, select Open an ISO image and then browse to locate or specify the full path to the Windows XP ISO image. Click OK when done.

   Note: It’s recommended to use Windows XP Professional, which Windows XP Mode is based of.

9. Start the virtual machine to start the setup installation of Windows XP. Follow the screen instruction of the setup wizard to install Windows XP.

   Tip: It’s possible to bypass and skip entering a product key during installation of Windows XP SP3. Just leave the product key field blank, and continue with next step of installation after confirming the decision.

10. After installing Windows XP, click on the Tools menu on VM window, and select Install Integration Components to install Virtual PC Integration Components.

    Click on Continue if prompted with dialog to confirm action to install or update Windows Virtual PC Integration Components. Then follow on-screen instructions of the setup wizard to install the integration components.

11. Restart the virtual machine after installing integration components.
12. At the virtual machine’s Tools menu, and select Enable Integration Features, and then specify a user name and password as Windows Security credentials. Click Remember my credentials to let Windows Virtual PC saves the credentials for auto login.

    Note: User is required to specify a user account with a password set as the credentials to automatically log on to the virtual machine. To set a password for a user account, go to Control Panel -> User Accounts, select the user account that wants to use for integration components, and then click on Create a password to set the password.

13. In order to seamless application integration feature (which allow user to access and run virtualized program installed on virtual machine from host desktop) to work, KB961742 RemoteApp RAIL QFE update package need to be installed. Download and install KB961742 RemoteApp update package inside the Windows XP guest operating system in the virtual machine.
14. Virtual machine powered with Windows Virtual PC already has OEM:SLP string required for activating Windows XP with OEM activation. Unless you have a Windows XP OEM CD which allows converting Windows XP between retail, volume licensing and OEM channels, download the following package and program:

    Windows XP OEM BIOS Files for Microsoft: Microsoft-B4FFCA38.rar (Source)
    VLK and OEMBIOS Changer: OEMBIOS changer installer.exe (Source)

15. In the Windows XP guest OS, unpack the content of VLK to OEM Conversion Program (run OEMBIOS_changer_installer.exe) to a folder.
16. Then unpack the Microsoft-B4FFCA38.rar, and put the four files (oembios.bin, oembios.cat, oembios.dat, oembios.sig) into Uncompressed Oembios Folder of OEMBIOS changer.
17. Start the VLK to OEM Conversion Program (VLK_to_OEM) by running oem.exe.

    Note: Despite the name, the utility program supports changing of OEMBIOS files in retail, VLK and OEM version of Windows XP.

18. Press any key to continue from splash screen, then press 5 followed by Enter key to enter “OEMBIOS changer dialog” menu.
19. Press 3 and followed by Enter key to install the convert the installed Windows XP to OEM version, and install the required OEMBIOS files into the system.
20. Depending on the edition of Windows XP installed, select the appropriate Windows XP edition to convert by pressing the corresponding number key, followed by Enter.
21. On the last screen, press Y followed by Enter key to start the OEM conversion.
22. Answer Y followed by Enter key to restart the computer after the XP system is converted to OEM channel and OEMBIOS files are installed.
23. After Windows XP system is restarted, it will be automatically activated via OEM activation, as the VLK to OEM converter has also installed a generic Microsoft OEM product key into the system. However, for user who wants the new virtual machine to as identical to Windows XP Mode as possible, change the Windows XP product key to the following product key, which used in Windows XP Mode:

    K49H2-RPR94-QBGG4-DBCTM-YT64G

A virtual machine running Windows XP with full functionality and features of Windows XP Mode is now ready to be used. Here’s the method to check the activation status in Windows XP.

How to Check Windows XP Product Activation Status

Windows XP has less stringent Windows Product Activation algorithm compared with Windows Vista. For example, PC computers from branded OEM (original equipment manufacturer) is activated out-of-factory, and most hackers and pirates go for volume licensing (commonly known as VL or VOL) version of Windows XP Professional which when installed with a volume product key (VLK), does not require user to activate again online or by phone.

However, Windows XP does require product activation too. Doesn’t need (as in the case of when using OEM or VLK product key, which is instantly and automated activated) to perform steps to activate Windows XP doesn’t mean that Windows XP is not activated, and activated Windows XP is one of the requirement for the installed copy of operating system to be considered by genuine by Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) Validation Tool.

To check, view or verify the Windows XP current activation status, open Run command from Start Menu, and run the following command:

oobe/msoobe /a

A “Activate Windows” dialog window will open to let user know the activation status. If the Windows XP has been activated, the message is “Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit.”

Else, you will be asked to let’s activate Windows now, which means that the copy of Windows XP installation is not yet activated.

Enable RemoteApp in Windows XP or Vista To Publish Programs to Windows 7 Virtual PC Host with KB961741 or KB961742 RAIL QFE

Windows Virtual PC in Windows 7 features an unique and useful feature which allows virtual applications installed on guest operating system of Windows XP or Windows Vista in the virtual machine to be seamlessly accessed and launched from host Windows 7 desktop as if it’s running on the end user’s local computer. Users can run programs from guest virtual machine side by side with local programs, with full ability to minimize, maximize, and resize the program window, and can easily start multiple programs at the same time.

The seamless applications integration of Windows 7 Virtual PC feature is utilizing RemoteApp technology from Terminal Services (TS). Microsoft includes RemoteApp feature into Windows Virtual PC for Windows 7 to provide application backward compatibility for some programs and software utilities that can only run in Windows XP or Windows Vista.

To convenient Windows 7 users who need to instantly get started running Windows XP productivity applications, Microsoft is providing pre-configured and pre-activated Windows XP virtual machine as in Windows XP Mode. However, some users or administrators may prefer to install their own operating system into the virtual machine as guest OS. In these cases, users who want to use the seamless applications integration feature can download KB961741 or KB961742 RAIL QFE update from Microsoft to enable RemoteApp.

Note that the patch will have to installed in Windows XP SP3 or Windows Vista SP1 or Windows Vista SP2 virtual machine running in Windows Virtual PC in Windows 7. It is is not required for Windows XP Mode image downloaded from Microsoft though, as it’s already been pre-configured.

Download RAIL QFE KB961741 for Windows Vista SP1 or above

Microsoft Download Center: Windows6.0-KB961741-x86.msu

Download RAIL QFE KB961742 for Windows XP SP3

Updated Version:
Microsoft Download Center: KB961742-v3.exe

Older Version:
Microsoft Download Center: KB961742-v3.exe

TechNet and MSDN: en_rail_qfe_for_windows_xp_sp3_x86_439642.exe

Windows 7 Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode Official Direct Download Links

Windows Virtual PC (VPC) is a new version of Microsoft Virtual PC virtualization software designed specifically for Windows 7. By installing Windows Virtual PC, user can run more than one guest operating systems at the same time inside the virtual machines, or many productivity applications on a virtual Windows environment via RemoteApp, where Windows Virtual PC virtualizes its standard PC and associated hardware.

Together with Windows Virtual PC, Microsoft also releases Windows XP Mode, a virtual machine package for Windows Virtual PC containing a pre-installed, licensed copy of Windows XP SP3 as its guest operating system. Windows XP Mode is pre-installed with integration components and pre-configured to allow user to run the virtual machine immediately right after installed, to provide backward compatibility for legacy productivity software with seamless access from host desktop capability.

While Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode have leaked earlier, Microsoft has officially released Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode as final RTM version for public download, in conjuction with the official public release of Windows 7. Both Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode is available for download from official Windows Virtual PC homepage at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx or from Microsoft Download Center (Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode).

Here’s the direct download links to setup installer of Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode, useful for Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic x86 and x64, and Windows 7 Home Premium x86 and x64 users who are shown the error message of “You are not eligible to download Windows XP Mode. You must have Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate to run Windows XP Mode. To upgrade visit Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade” when trying to download Windows Virtual PC and/or Windows XP Mode, or, users who fail to pass Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation.

Windows Virtual PC Direct Download Links

32-bit (x86): Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu
64-bit (x64): Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu

Windows XP Mode Direct Download Links

English: WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe
Arabic: WindowsXPMode_ar-sa.exe
Chinese (Hong Kong): WindowsXPMode_zh-hk.exe
Chinese (Simplified): WindowsXPMode_zh-cn.exe
Chinese (Traditional): WindowsXPMode_zh-tw.exe
Czech: WindowsXPMode_cs-cz.exe
Danish: WindowsXPMode_da-dk.exe
Dutch: WindowsXPMode_nl-nl.exe
Finnish: WindowsXPMode_fi-fi.exe
French: WindowsXPMode_fr-fr.exe
German: WindowsXPMode_de-de.exe
Greek: WindowsXPMode_el-gr.exe
Hebrew: WindowsXPMode_he-il.exe
Hungarian: WindowsXPMode_hu-hu.exe
Italian: WindowsXPMode_it-it.exe
Japanese: WindowsXPMode_ja-jp.exe
Korean: WindowsXPMode_ko-kr.exe
Norwegian: WindowsXPMode_nb-no.exe
Polish (Poland): WindowsXPMode_pl-pl.exe
Portuguese (Brazil): WindowsXPMode_pt-br.exe
Portuguese (Portugal): WindowsXPMode_pt-pt.exe
Russian: WindowsXPMode_ru-ru.exe
Spanish: WindowsXPMode_es-es.exe
Swedish: WindowsXPMode_sv-se.exe
Turkish: WindowsXPMode_tr-tr.exe

Windows XP Mode N, KN and KN Edition Direct Download Links

Czech N: WindowsXPMode_N_cs-cz.exe
Danish N: WindowsXPMode_N_da-dk.exe
Dutch N: WindowsXPMode_N_nl-nl.exe
English N: WindowsXPMode_N_en-us.exe
Finnish N: WindowsXPMode_N_fi-fi.exe
French N: WindowsXPMode_N_fr-fr.exe
German N: WindowsXPMode_N_de-de.exe
Greek N: WindowsXPMode_N_el-gr.exe
Hungarian N: WindowsXPMode_N_hu-hu.exe
Italian: WindowsXPMode_N_it-it.exe
Norwegian N: WindowsXPMode_N_nb-no.exe
Polish N: WindowsXPMode_N_pl-pl.exe
Portuguese N (Portugal): WindowsXPMode_N_pt-pt.exe
Spanish N: WindowsXPMode_N_es-es.exe
Swedish N: WindowsXPMode_N_sv-se.exe
Korean K: WindowsXPMode_K_ko-kr.exe
Korean KN: WindowsXPMode_KN_ko-kr.exe

Windows 7 Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode Official Direct Download Links

Windows Virtual PC (VPC) is a new version of Microsoft Virtual PC virtualization software designed specifically for Windows 7. By installing Windows Virtual PC, user can run more than one guest operating systems at the same time inside the virtual machines, or many productivity applications on a virtual Windows environment via RemoteApp, where Windows Virtual PC virtualizes its standard PC and associated hardware.

Together with Windows Virtual PC, Microsoft also releases Windows XP Mode, a virtual machine package for Windows Virtual PC containing a pre-installed, licensed copy of Windows XP SP3 as its guest operating system. Windows XP Mode is pre-installed with integration components and pre-configured to allow user to run the virtual machine immediately right after installed, to provide backward compatibility for legacy productivity software with seamless access from host desktop capability.

While Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode have leaked earlier, Microsoft has officially released Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode as final RTM version for public download, in conjuction with the official public release of Windows 7. Both Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode is available for download from official Windows Virtual PC homepage at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/download.aspx or from Microsoft Download Center (Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode).

Here’s the direct download links to setup installer of Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode, useful for Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Basic x86 and x64, and Windows 7 Home Premium x86 and x64 users who are shown the error message of “You are not eligible to download Windows XP Mode. You must have Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, or Ultimate to run Windows XP Mode. To upgrade visit Windows 7 Anytime Upgrade” when trying to download Windows Virtual PC and/or Windows XP Mode, or, users who fail to pass Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation.

Windows Virtual PC Direct Download Links

32-bit (x86): Windows6.1-KB958559-x86.msu
64-bit (x64): Windows6.1-KB958559-x64.msu

Windows XP Mode Direct Download Links

English: WindowsXPMode_en-us.exe
Arabic: WindowsXPMode_ar-sa.exe
Chinese (Hong Kong): WindowsXPMode_zh-hk.exe
Chinese (Simplified): WindowsXPMode_zh-cn.exe
Chinese (Traditional): WindowsXPMode_zh-tw.exe
Czech: WindowsXPMode_cs-cz.exe
Danish: WindowsXPMode_da-dk.exe
Dutch: WindowsXPMode_nl-nl.exe
Finnish: WindowsXPMode_fi-fi.exe
French: WindowsXPMode_fr-fr.exe
German: WindowsXPMode_de-de.exe
Greek: WindowsXPMode_el-gr.exe
Hebrew: WindowsXPMode_he-il.exe
Hungarian: WindowsXPMode_hu-hu.exe
Italian: WindowsXPMode_it-it.exe
Japanese: WindowsXPMode_ja-jp.exe
Korean: WindowsXPMode_ko-kr.exe
Norwegian: WindowsXPMode_nb-no.exe
Polish (Poland): WindowsXPMode_pl-pl.exe
Portuguese (Brazil): WindowsXPMode_pt-br.exe
Portuguese (Portugal): WindowsXPMode_pt-pt.exe
Russian: WindowsXPMode_ru-ru.exe
Spanish: WindowsXPMode_es-es.exe
Swedish: WindowsXPMode_sv-se.exe
Turkish: WindowsXPMode_tr-tr.exe

Windows XP Mode N, KN and KN Edition Direct Download Links

Czech N: WindowsXPMode_N_cs-cz.exe
Danish N: WindowsXPMode_N_da-dk.exe
Dutch N: WindowsXPMode_N_nl-nl.exe
English N: WindowsXPMode_N_en-us.exe
Finnish N: WindowsXPMode_N_fi-fi.exe
French N: WindowsXPMode_N_fr-fr.exe
German N: WindowsXPMode_N_de-de.exe
Greek N: WindowsXPMode_N_el-gr.exe
Hungarian N: WindowsXPMode_N_hu-hu.exe
Italian: WindowsXPMode_N_it-it.exe
Norwegian N: WindowsXPMode_N_nb-no.exe
Polish N: WindowsXPMode_N_pl-pl.exe
Portuguese N (Portugal): WindowsXPMode_N_pt-pt.exe
Spanish N: WindowsXPMode_N_es-es.exe
Swedish N: WindowsXPMode_N_sv-se.exe
Korean K: WindowsXPMode_K_ko-kr.exe
Korean KN: WindowsXPMode_KN_ko-kr.exe

Note that Windows Virtual PC requires hardware-assisted virtualization, where Microsoft provides HAV tool to check if system supports hardware-assisted virtualization.

To enable seamless integration of applications between guest and host operating system, RemoteApp update package has to be installed on virtual machine. In addition, Windows XP Mode only can be installed on Windows 7 Ultimate, Enterprise and Professional edition, but there is a hack to install Windows XP Mode on Windows 7 Home Premium and Home Basic.

The documentations for Windows Virtual PC is also available, namely Windows Virtual PC Tips (Windows Virtual PC Tips.pdf) and Windows Virtual PC Evaluation Guide (VirtualPC_Eval_Guide.doc)

Hide and Remove Logical Drives in Computer and Windows Explorer (NoDrives)

Each disk drive or partition volume of permanent built-in hard disk or plugged-in external USB portable hard disk or removable USB flash drive storage medium is a logical drive which has a visible drive letter which allows user to access the drive through Windows Explorer or My Computer.

Windows operating system such as Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP and Windows Server has the ability to control which drives that are visible in My Computer or Windows Explorer folder tree, by hiding and removing the selected drives or all drivers (together with their icons and drive letters) from all folder tree view of Explorer and My Computer drive listing. The invisible drives can still be accessed, opened and explored by directly typing the drive letter in Location Bar.

1. Run Registry Editor (RegEdit).
2. Navigate to one of the following registry key.

   To change for current logged on user only:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

   To change to all users system-wide:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

3. Right click on blank space on the right pane, select New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value to create a new REG_DWORD registry entry. Name the new registry value as NoDrives.
4. NoDrives registry value uses a mathematical hexadecimal numeric value to define local, removable storage device and network drive visibility to determine whether to hide or show logical drive in the computer. The lower 26 bits of the 32-bit registry value are corresponding and representing drive letters from A to Z, and by setting its value to 0, the drive will be unhidden and visible, while with value of 1, the drive is hidden and invisible.

   To make the work for excluding the drive from view in Windows Explorer easier, just enter the sum of decimal value for hidden drive of all drives that want to make hidden. The respective decimal values for each drive letter are as follow:

   A: 1	B: 2	C: 4	D: 8
   E: 16	F: 32	G: 64	H: 128
   I: 256	J: 512	K: 1024	L: 2048
   M: 4096	N: 8192	O: 16384	P: 32768
   Q: 65536	R: 131072	S: 262144	T: 524288
   U: 1048576	V: 2097152	W: 4194304	X: 8388608
   Y: 16777216	Z: 33554432

   All Drives: 67108863

   For example, to hide drive C and drive D, add the numeric values of 4 (for drive C) and 8 (for drive D), which equals to 12. As such, set the value date of NoDrives to 12 to hide drive C and D from Explorer view.

   To make all drives hidden, set value date of NoDrives to 67108863.

   Note: Remember to set the Base as Decimal when entering the value above

5. Restart the computer for the setting to take effect.

Alternatively, there is a “NoDrives Manager” (NoDrvMan) software utility that can automatically hide Windows logical drives by modifying the registry. What user needs to do with NoDrives program is just to select and tick the drive letters to make hidden. NoDrives Manager to allow users to set a password protection to prevent unauthorized user to run the program and re-enable the hidden drives.

Download NoDrives Manager from sourceforge.net.

Note: The hidden drives will still appear in File Manager. To remove File Manager, delete or rename winfile.exe.

Free Backup and Restore your computer with Easeus Todo

There are many reasons a computer system to be disrupted and did not go as expected, such as viruses, software that is problematic, hard drive problems, and other causes. Addressing issues that have been identified and only small amounts may be carried out directly on these issues, but just in case if it should restore your computer system back to normal before the problem occurs, it can be done is to restore from backup the previous system. One of the software that can be used to make backups and restore back the Easeus Todo backup.

Easeus Todo backup is a software that can be used to perform backups sisitem partition, another partition, or entire hard drives to be stored as image files, and image files as a result of this partition cloning can then be restored or returned again, so back to the conditions at the time of backup done. In addition, Easeus Todo Backup can also directly for cloning from a hard drive to another hard drive without first saving it as image files. This example can be done when they want to replace the hard drive to a larger size with the conditions on the use of systems like the previous hard drive.


Another nice feature provided by Easeus Todo Backup is allowed to mount the image file created, forming a virtual drive that allows to access the contents of files and folders stored on it. If such happens booting the system condition is not running or problematic, Easeus Todo Backup can be used as a tool to create a bootable CD that can later be used as a way to restore the system from the image file that already exists.

Easeus Todo backup hard drive capacity support up to 1.5 TB and runs on Windows. Since being released as freeware, then you can use Easeus Todo Backup for free without having to buy it. Download it through the website with links like below.
Easeus Todo Backup
DOWNLOAD NOW

Easy File Locker for windows

As can be caught from the name, Easy File Locker is a free software that can be used to lock the file you want restricted and not just anyone can view or open. Easy File Locker is not limited in use to protect the files, but also can be used to lock the following folders of sub folders and files in it. Type of protection applied by using the included Easy File Locker is a file or folder that is set can be seen (visible) can be accessed (accessable), can be inscribed (writable), and / or can be deleted (deletable).

Easy installation files File Locker can be said quite small, and after you install and run it, then you will find a window like the following picture:











Through the menus or buttons provided, you can add files or folders you want to set. Each file or folder can be set how the protection will be applied. Here, maybe you'll manage a file can not be viewed when opened from Windows Explorer, or a permanent folder can be viewed via Windows Explorer but can not be accessed or opened. Protect files and folders using Easy File Locker will also apply even if the computer running in Safe Mode.

To reopen the protection applied to a file or folder, then you need to re-run the program for Easy File Locker proteksinya then change the rules. So that not just anyone can run Easy File Locker, then you need to set a password to run Easy File locker through the System menu - Set Password. If you already dipassword, this password will also be required if you want to uninstall Easy File Locker.

Do you have a specific file or folder that you want to hide or restricted access? Please try Easy File Locker is a freeware, so you do not have to pay to use it.

donwload this software :http://www.xoslab.com/

Attribute Changer: display hidden directories and files

Some viruses hide in the action file or directory is in a USB flash drive (UFD). Some friends think a file and folder has been deleted, even some of them had already format the UFD.

Files and folders are hidden by giving read-only attribute, hidden, system, or a combination of them. To display the folders and files back to hidden, we can remove these attributes, and by Command Prompt, you can use the attrib command.

If you want the program "clack-click" for this purpose, Attribute Changer can be selected. This application can be used for changing the attributes of files and folders, including the date and time (date and time stamp). Once installed, open Windows Explorer. Right-click on the drive, folder or file destination, and on the context menu that appears select Change Attributes ... Select the folder attribute settings and files from each tab. In order to apply to all folders and files in a directory, do not forget to check the recurse option Folders.

download Attribute Changer in : http://webplaza.pt.lu/public/rpetges/windows/ac/ac.html