How to Use Windows Vista and 7 for Approx. One Year Without Activation?

Recently we told you how to use Windows Vista and 7 for 120 days without activating or using Product key. Now we'll tell you another method to extend this period for approx. one year.
First read the previous topic:
Extend Windows Vista and 7 Trial Period from 30 Days to 120 Days
You have to use the same slmgr -rearm command in this method too.
So here is the step-by-step method:
1. Click on “Start button -> All Programs -> Accessories“. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run As Administrator“. If you are prompted to enter password, enter the password and continue. You can also open Command Prompt in Administrator mode by typing “cmd” in Startmenu Search box and press “Ctrl+Shift+Enter“.
2. Now provide following command:

slmgr -rearm

3. You'll be prompted to restart Windows, restart it and the trial period will be reset to 30 days again.
4. You can use the same command 3 times. In this way you'll be able to use Windows for 120 days without activation.
5. Now its time for the main trick. Open regedit and goto:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\ SL

6. In right-side pane, change value of SkipRearm to 1.
7. Now you'll be able to use the slmgr -rearm command 8 more times. So you'll get total 360 days for using Vista and 7 without activation:

120 days by using slmgr -rearm command before registry editing

+

240 days after registry editing

||

360 days

My question is, why go to all this trouble when you can just use the RC through next year, pending official release of the RTM later this year for everyone without a technet or MSDN subscription?

Also, as others have asked, why would you bother changing the Ultimate version for anything else?

To answer a question with a question, why use the RC when you have access to the RTM? Granted the company pays for the technet subscription but if it's there and being paid for why not use it? I get to play with the RTM version and can use it to get a head start on setting up a test system at work so that once we're ready to buy our volume licenses we can roll out Windows 7 right away. Besides I had more problems with the RC then with the Beta (drivers mostly), the RTM seems to have cleared these up.

As for your other question it's more convience then anything else. Again I have the licenses through technet and while I may never use a version other than ultimate it's nice to know that if for some unknown odd ball reason I decide to install home basic on my netbook that I don't have to go looking for another disc, or have to download another ISO, I have it setup on a flash drive so I just pop that in and install whatever version I feel like installing at the time.

Plus I was bored and may not be completely sane, but thats beside the point.

James

If you have a technet or msdn subscription, you already have access to all the versions. You also have a multi-use key. I don't get what you are saying based on what you get through the subscription versus your goals.