Windows 7 SP1 to Kill Illegal Activation Bypass Methods

Last Updated on Monday, 8 February 2010 09:55 Written by Mire_B Monday, 8 February 2010 09:55

For Windows Vista, Service Pack 1 brought the end of such illegal activation circumvention methods as 2099 Grace Timer and OEM BIOS. SP1 for Windows 7 will have a similar role, according to Wzor:

Microsoft is actively working on the creation and the first service pack SP1 for Windows 7, the work is in progress in the fight against piracy, ie c is not a legal activation of the operating system with the use of all kinds of downloaders as well as OEM SLP keys.

So for example in SP1 for Windows 7 will be added:

KB971033 Windows Activation Technologies, thanks to this update will activate the loader to fly and not only part of the OEM SLP keys just been placed in the “black list” (blacklist) including key from LENOVO, DELL.

But replacing a serial on the other hand, activation immediately returned.

In fact, it is not possible to lock system activated with the OEM SLP key, SLIC 2.1, and a certificate.

The montage 7700.0.100122-1900 no longer possible to activate the loader, but with the OEM SLP key, SLIC 2.1 and the certificate system is activated.

Download Office Professional Plus Beta 2010 Build 14.0.4536.1000 from MSDN and TechNet

Last Updated on Wednesday, 18 November 2009 09:48 Written by Mire_B Tuesday, 17 November 2009 09:50

I’m downloading Office 2010 Beta Build 14.0.4536.1000 from MSDN right now. I’ll make sure to provide you with a little information as soon as I’ve finished installing it. TechNet subscribers can get it from here. I’ve also received an invitation to test Office 2010 Beta on Microsoft Connect, but haven’t really checked it out yet, although I’m going to, later today. However, I can’t really make public details from Microsoft Connect limited, invitation-only testing projects, I never have, in fact. Those of you that have ever seen the nondisclosure agreements from Connect projects already know why. I could just leak info of course, but that’s not the way I roll. I’ve never done it before, and I’m not going to start now.

I’m done installing Office Professional Plus 2010 Beta, and I’m going to start using the applications on a day-to-day basis. As soon as I get a feeling of Build 14.0.4536.1000 I’ll post some additional details. There are new icons, a new Backstage and a new activation mechanism.

Hack/Patch/Workaround for Forced Upgrades to Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8089.726 – Continue Using Windows Live Messenger (WLM) 8.5

Last Updated on Wednesday, 11 November 2009 10:00 Written by Mire_B Wednesday, 11 November 2009 10:00

As of November 9th, Microsoft has started upgrading all Windows Live Messenger users not running the latest release of the instant messaging client to version 14 full build string 14.0.8089.726. From the volume of comments on forums and various blogs including the official Windows Live Messenger blog, as well as from the wave of requests that I received, it is painfully obvious that users are not happy with Microsoft’s decision to force them to upgrade. Mandatory upgrades to Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8089.726 are the only way for users of versions 8.1, 8.5 and 14 (with the exception of 14.0.8089.726) to continue being able to sign in.

Now there is a very simple workaround to the mandatory Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8089.726. I have tried it myself and it works as a charm. But first, I actually advise users to upgrade. I know that a forced upgrade to Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8089.726 might not be exactly a move to warm up to, but from a security perspective it makes perfect sense.

Windows Live Messenger blog: The upgrade will provide customers with the latest software updates including code fixes and feature enhancements; as well address vulnerabilities discussed in the Microsoft Security Advisory 973882 that existed in previous versions of Windows Live Messenger.

Also from the Windows Live Messenger blog: All Windows Live Messenger clients with versions 8.1, 8.5 or 14.0 will receive the upgrade notification. Beginning August 25, customers of Messenger 8.1 or 8.5 were prompted to upgrade their client. Customers who installed the latest Windows Live Messenger client (14.0) before August 19, 2009 will start receiving an upgrade notification in September 2009. Customers of older versions of MSN Messenger on Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 95, Windows Me or Windows 98 will not receive an upgrade notification.

To clarify, if you are running Messenger 8.1, 8.5 or 14.0 on the following operating systems: Windows XP 32bit, Windows Vista (32bit/64bit), Windows 7( 32bit/64bit) or Windows Server 2008, you will receive the upgrade notice. See this link for the system requirements of the latest version. http://download.live.com/SystemRequirements.

Solution/Hack/Patch/Workaround for mandatory upgrades to Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8089.726 that will allow you to keep running Windows Live Messenger (WLM) 8.5.

It’s very simple, and the key is the operating systems supported by Windows Live Messenger 14.0.8089.726: Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (32-bit edition only), Windows Vista (32-bit or 64-bit editions), Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit editions), or Windows Server 2008.

You don’t see Windows 2000 anywhere on the list do you? First of all, make sure that Windows Live Messenger 8.5 is turned off completely – kill the process if you have to. For the next step, right click the Windows Live Messenger 8.5 icon and select Properties. Then go to the Compatibility tab, and choose to “Run this program in compatibility mode for” Windows 2000. And that’s it! Now Windows Live Messenger 8.5 will sign in without any issues. Take a look at the screenshots if you need additional guidance.

Attention: Windows Live Messenger 8.5 and earlier contain security vulnerabilities that can allow attackers to take over control of your computer! Continue using said versions of Windows Live Messenger at your own risk!