Information on WGA Validation Tool (KB892130), WGA Notifications (KB905474) and Office Genuine Advantage (OGA)

Microsoft has launched Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) and Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) to help reducing the piracy issues. What they does is by lauching an ActiveX control to check if the running genuine and non-pirated version of Windows and Office. For genuine Microsoft software users, they can access Genuine Advantage offers and latest updates and features for the software.

Windows Genuine Advantage currently consists of two main components:

Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool which deployed by KB892130 and install an ActiveX control LegitCheckControl.dll, LegitcheckControl.inf and GWFSPIDGen.dll to \Windows\System32 directory. WGA Validation Tool performs a validation check to verify that your copy of Windows is genuine when you try to download a program or software that is marked with the WGA icon from Microsoft Download Center or when you try to access updates on the Microsoft Windows Update Web site. You will be asked to install and complete the validation process if you still do not have KB892130 installed. The client side Windows Validation Assistant component for Windows Server 2003 is 20 KB and for Windows XP is 344 KB.

Microsoft says Windows Validation Assistant does not collect any personal data from the computer, and the following information that is gathered from Windows machine to determine if your Microsoft software is genuine during the validation process:

* Windows product key or product ID
* Windows service pack version
* PC manufacturer and model
* Operating System version
* SKU and Suite Mask
* Security ID
* PID/SID
* BIOS information (manufacturer, model, make, version, date)
* BIOS MD5 Checksum
* User locale (language setting for displaying Windows)
* System locale (language version of the operating system)
* Office product key (if validating Office)
* Hard drive serial number

According to Microsoft, the information collected will be used for three purposes:

• Provides Web page flow, tailoring the pages you see based on your responses.
• Conveys demographics, which help Microsoft to understand regional differences in Windows or Office usage.
• Confirms user input and compared user input against data collected from the PC in order to determine whether to grant a user’s request for additional access.

Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications or WGANotify is deployed by KB905474 which will display notification messages at the frequency that is determined at installation stage, if your computer failed the Windows Genuine Advantage validation process and running a copy of Windows XP that is not genuine. According to Microsoft, the WGA warning messages will appear at the following locations:

1. Logon notification

When you log on to a non-genuine copy of Windows XP, you receive the following logon notification error message:

You may be a victim of software counterfeiting. This copy of Windows is not genuine and is not eligible to receive all updates and product support from Microsoft.

Click Get Genuine now to get more information and resolve this issue.

When receive this message, you’re offered two options:

Get Genuine to start the Get genuine Windows process or,
Resolve Later which will make an icon appears in the notification area that when you double-click on it, will launch the Get genuine Windows process.

2. Balloon notification

After you log on to a non-genuine copy of Windows XP, a balloon notification message is displayed in the notification area reminding you about the validation failure. Click on the balloon notification or the notification area icon will open the Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Failure Web page that tells you the specifics of the validation failure and the steps that you can take to make the operating system genuine.

3. Desktop banner text

If you use the Resolve Later option, and manage to logon to a non-genuine Windows OS, the following banner text appears on the locked desktop:

This copy of Windows is not genuine.
You may be the victim of software counterfeiting

KB905474 contains 2 files that’s WgaLogon.dll and WgaTray.exe (it may update LegitCheckControl.dll too) which will be installed automatically by Automatic Updates, although KB905474 itself is (still) an optional update. Which means that you can unselect KB905474 from the list of updates and skip installing it.

WGA Notifications has found to be contact with Microsoft server everytime you boot up and start the Windows PC. According to Microsft, the process is to check whether a newer settings file is available and download the file if one is found. The settings file gives Microsoft the ability to update how often reminders are displayed and to disable the program if necessary, although this scenario not likely. The operation is limited to the download of new settings file and no other system information is sent other than standard server log informatio, unlike validation which sends system information to Microsoft.

Microsoft has completed the pilot phase for WGA Notifications, and officially rolling out the anti-piracy reminders to Windows XP users worldwide as of 28th June 2006 in version 1.5.540.0, with minor changes to the program in response to customer concern regarding its “phone home” functionality. WGA Notifications KB905474 no longer checks a configuration file located on Microsoft’s servers, but the program will still communicate with the company periodically, with the frequency varies depending upon license type, which may typically takes place every 90 days. According to Microsoft, the information sent to Microsoft allows it to update the list of bad product keys, and ensure that newly discovered counterfeits are not proliferating.

Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) meanwhile is an attempt by Microsoft to validate genuine copy of Microsoft Office XP, Office 2003, Office 2007, Office 2010 or newer. By validating the Office, you can access to the latest features, updates, and support, including Office Genuine Advantage offers that contains add-ins, templates, learning tools, Smart Tags and stationery.

OGA Office validation involves downloading of an ActiveX control called Office Genuine Advantage Validation OGACheckControl.dll, previously known as Office Validation Assistant (OVA) which will scan your computer to verify and determine whether your copy of Microsoft Office XP or Microsoft Office 2003 is genuine. You need to access the Genuine Microsoft Software: How To Tell webpage to access it.

Currently, OGA validation is recommended but not mandatory. Although still optional, Microsoft may make Office Validation to be required in future. According to Microsoft, should Office Validation become required in the future, only users of Office suites will likely be required to validate.

As of October 2006, Microsoft has made OGA mandatory required check, and subsequently rolled out Office Genuine Advantage Notifications, which displayed notification message on system running illegal copy of Office much like WGA.

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.

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.

Easy Way to Determine If CPU Supports Windows 7 Virtual PC (XP Mode)

Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode (XPM, previously known as Virtual Windows XP or VXP) are two new optional components for specific editions of Windows 7 operating system. Windows Virtual PC is the Virtual PC (VPC) for Windows 7 which allows user to run virtual machines for virtualization with additional features, such as Windows XP Mode, which allows user to access and run applications installed in virtualized instance of Windows XP on Windows 7 host desktop for backward compatibility.

With much improved functionalities, Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode must be tempting many Windows 7 users. However, Windows Virtual PC system requirements (Windows XP Mode is actually just a virtual machine running pre-activated Windows XP which utilizes features of Windows Virtual PC) have been much different from Virtual PC 2007 SP1. The most significant change is the requirement of hardware-assisted virtualization technology (VT) support.

Hardware virtualization technology or VT is built-in natively by CPU processors. In Intel chip, the VT is called Intel VT, while AMD calls it AMD-V. The VT capability in the processor on the computer is built onto the the tiny piece of chip, and cannot be added or removed using any manual process. And even if the CPU features VT, it must be enabled in BIOS.

Most newer CPU includes VT operation by default. However, some older or even current processors available for purchase for DIY or operating on OEM computer may not support VT. When there is no VT support, Windows Virtual PC may fail to install or cannot be powered up and started virtual machine with following error message:

Cannot Windows Virtual PC host process. Check the System event log for more details.

Windows Virtual PC requires hardware-assisted virtualization. There is no hardware-assisted virtualization support in the system.

Instead of browsing through the long list of Intel processor’s feature list or AMD CPU’s feature to confirm the existence or non-existence of VT support, there is an easier way to quickly determine whether there is hardware virtualization system on the system. That’s by using SecurAble, a small utility that display status of CPU maximum bit length, DEP and virtualization support.

Just download and run SecurAble (no installation required). The status of hardware virtualization feature on the CPU processor is quickly display on screen. If it’s a “Yes” or “Locked On”, the Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode can be used properly. If it’s a “No”, then you’re out of luck. However, there is another possibility that the result may display as “Locked Off”, which means the VT support is currently disabled by BIOS. In this case, just restart the computer and access the BIOS configuration to enable and turn on hardware virtualization support. Else you face the following error when try to launch Windows Virtual PC 7 virtual machine.

Virtual machine could not be started because hardware-assisted virtualization is disabled. Please enable hardware virtualization in the BIOS settings and try again.

Another tool that can be used to detect hardware virtualization support on CPU is HAV Tool from Microsoft.

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

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

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.

Speed Up and Optimize USB Drive Speed Performance by Enabling Write Caching

USB (Universal Serial Bus) has became standard connection method for many devices and the host computer. Many computer peripherals make use of USB connection to establish communication linkage between device and host controllers, and these devices include removable storage device such as USB flash drives, pen drives, memory keys, thumbdrives, external or portable hard disk drives.

By default, Windows operating system is optimizing the connected the removable storage device, including USB-connected storage devices for quick removal. By optimizing a storage device for quick removal, it means Windows disables write-caching to the external drives so that the external drives can be quickly plugged out without using the Safe Removal icon.

For users facing with problem of slow copying, reading or accessing speed when connecting to and using the external USB hard disk drives or USB flash drives or other USB storage devices, Windows allows the externally connected removable disk storage devices via SCSI, USB, IEEE 1394 Firewire, eSATA interface to be optimized for performance (enable and turn on disk write caching) to improve access and write speed to and from the drive.

To optimize a storage drive for performance, follow these steps (based on Windows 7, other Windows OSes, such as Windows XP or Windows Vista has about the same procedure):

1. Click on Start button, and go to Control Panel.
2. Click on System and Security category, and then Device Manager link.
3. Click Yes if User Account Control (UAC) dialog prompts.
4. Expand the Disk Drive tree.
5. Right click on the USB storage disk drive to improve its performance, and select Properties.
6. Go to Policies tab.
7. Select the radio button for Better performance or Optimize for performance.
8. Click OK.

The external drive is now write-caching enabled. Thus, user must use the Safely Remove Hardware notification icon to disconnect the drive safely prior to remove the device in order to avoid data loss.

How to Open the Local Group Policy Editor in Windows 7 and Vista

Local Group Policy Editor is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that provides a single user interface through which all the settings of Local Group Policy objects (GPO) of the computers can be managed. The Local Group Policy objects include settings for Computer Configuration, where the policies are applied to whole computer regardless of logged-on users, and User Configuration, where policies are applied to currently logged-on user across all computers (for users on domain).

In order to view, edit, manage, change, delete or manipulate software settings, Windows settings and administrative templates of Local Group Policy Objects, it’s easier to do so via Local Group Policy Editor. User can open the Local Group Policy Editor by using the command line or by using the Microsoft Management Console (MMC).

Note: User must be an administrator in order to open the Local Group Policy Editor.

Method 1: Open Local Group Policy Editor from Command Prompt

Click on Start button, type gpedit.msc in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER. Press Yes if User Account Control (UAC) dialog prompts.

Tip: gpedit.msc file is located in \Windows\System32 folder.

Method 2: Open the Local Group Policy Editor as MMC Snap-In

1. Click on Start button, type mmc in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER to open MMC (Microsoft Management Console).
2. Press Yes if User Account Control (UAC) dialog prompts.
3. On the File menu, click Add/Remove Snap-in.
4. In the “Add or Remove Snap-ins” dialog box, click Group Policy Object Editor, and then click Add.
5. 
   
6. In the “Select Group Policy Object” dialog box, click Browse.
7. Click This computer to edit the Local Group Policy object.

   Alternatively, user can choose to connect to GPO of remote computer, or click Users tab to selectively edit GPO for Administrator, Non-Administrator, or per-user Local Group Policy objects.

8. Click Finish.
9. Click OK to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
10. Local Group Policy Editor is only available in Professional (Business), Enterprise and Ultimate Editions of Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Users of Windows 7 or Windows Vista Starter, Home Basic and Home Premium will not get Local Group Policy Editor.

How to Disable or Enable (Turn Off or On) Windows SideShow in Windows 7 or Vista

Windows SideShow is a technology that delivers information ane dia from PC to a variety of auxiliary display devices which can be separate from or integrated into the main PC. Windows SideShow works by displaying gadgets on a Windows SideShow compatible device, and thus dependent on Windows Gadgets service. However, the information such as e-mails, calendar, news, reminder, photos, slideshow and etc. on remote device even if desktop or laptop is turned off, or in sleep mode.

Windows SideShow compatible devices have not been popular in the marketplace, and even if somebody has a device that supports Windows SideShow, Windows 7 or Windows Vista users may not want to link and connect with the SideShow-compatible device.

Follow the guide below on how to disable or turn off and enable or turn on Windows SideShow:

1. Open Local Group Policy Editor.
2. Expand to the following tree branch:

   User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows SideShow

3. Double click on the Turn off Windows SideShow option in the right pane.
4. Select the radio button of Enabled to disable and turn off SideShow.

   Or,

   Select the radio button of Disabled or Not Configured to enable and turn on SideShow.

5. Click OK button.

How to Windows 7 Not Restart Continuously

Windows 7 operating system is not "magic" trouble-free. Although already much better than its predecessor, there were shortages here and there. Problems that arise can vary, ranging from application crashes because of not supporting, hooked up to restart his own illness.

Automatic restart this incident is not a bug, but rather facilities that are owned by Windows when it detects a problem with the system. However, instead of helping, this feature could be made even disgust.



To prevent this, consider the following steps.
1. Click "Start> Control Panel> System and Security> System".
2. Click on "Advanced system settings", then click the "Settings" in the box "Startup and Recovery".
3. A new window titled "Startup and Recovery" will appear. Find the check box "Automatically restart" in the box "System failure", then remove the check mark in front of him.
4. Click "OK" and "OK" again to save changes and exit the "System Properties".

How to access files faster on windows 7

NTFS is the file system that operating system built with the foundation NT. Because Windows 7 uses the kernel, or core of the OS Windows NT, the operating system also supports NTFS.

Now, as the OS that can use the NTFS file system, it requires a functioning cache holds information about files contained in a folder. Like what does it work?
When you open a folder for the first time, Windows will read and contain detailed information about the folder that you open it in a cache. This information will then be used if you open the same folder in the future so that the process will be faster.
with the case of increase of course, the speed of your Windows folder in the reading of a will increase as well. To do this, practice the following steps.
1. Run the Registry Editor via the "Start", and type: regedt32.
2. Go to the sub key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE-SYSTEM-CurrentControlSet-Control-FileSystem.
3. In the sub key "FileSystem", click the right mouse button on the right window, then click "New> DWORD (32 bit) Value".
4. Rename the new DWORD Value with the name "NtfsMftZone Reservation".
5. Right-click DWORD Value NtfsMftZone this Reservation, then select "Modify".
6. Fill in the Value Data requested by the value 2.
7. Click "OK", close the Registry Editor window, then restart the PC.

How to access files faster on windows 7

NTFS is the file system that operating system built with the foundation NT. Because Windows 7 uses the kernel, or core of the OS Windows NT, the operating system also supports NTFS.

Now, as the OS that can use the NTFS file system, it requires a functioning cache holds information about files contained in a folder. Like what does it work? When you open a folder for the first time, Windows will read and contain detailed information about the folder that you open it in a cache. This information will then be used if you open the same folder in the future so that the process will be faster.

With this cache increases, of course, the speed of your Windows folder in the reading of a will increase as well. To do this, practice the following steps.
1. Run the Registry Editor via the "Start", and type: regedt32.
2. Go to the sub key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE-SYSTEM-CurrentControlSet-Control-FileSystem.
3. In the sub key "FileSystem", click the right mouse button on the right window, then click "New> DWORD (32 bit) Value".
4. Rename the new DWORD Value with the name "NtfsMftZone Reservation".
5. Right-click DWORD Value NtfsMftZone this Reservation, then select "Modify".
6. Fill in the Value Data requested by the value 2.
7. Click "OK", close the Registry Editor window, then restart the PC.

How to Windows 7 Not Restart Continuously

Windows 7 operating system is not "magic" trouble-free. Although already much better than its predecessor, there were shortages here and there. Problems that arise can vary, ranging from application crashes because of not supporting, hooked up to restart his own illness.

Automatic restart this incident is not a bug, but rather facilities that are owned by Windows when it detects a problem with the system. However, instead of helping, this feature could be made even disgust.



To prevent this, consider the following steps.
1. Click "Start> Control Panel> System and Security> System".
2. Click on "Advanced system settings", then click the "Settings" in the box "Startup and Recovery".
3. A new window titled "Startup and Recovery" will appear. Find the check box "Automatically restart" in the box "System failure", then remove the check mark in front of him.
4. Click "OK" and "OK" again to save changes and exit the "System Properties".