If you are planning to get your hands dirty on the new Windows 7 Pre-beta build, beware that it will automatically expire after a trial period of 30 days.
Unless you attended the PDC 2008 and got an activation key, there is no method to activate Windows 7 forever yet but what we can do is extend the trial time period from 30 to 90 days which is way enough as we shall soon have Windows 7 Beta in our hands in almost less than 2 months.
This is the same hack used by most users to reset the activation expiry date twice in Windows Vista Pre-Beta and luckily it works for Windows 7 too.
Here is what you need to do.
- Download Windows 7 Pre-beta and burn the ISO to a DVD.
- Install Windows 7 Pre-beta using the DVD and while installation make sure to not put any activation key.
- Once the installation is complete, open Command Prompt.
- Type any of the following three commands.
sysprep /generalize or slmgr.vbs –rearm or rundll32 slc.dll,SLReArmWindows - Hit Enter
- Reboot Windows 7 and enjoy another 30 days of free trial.
Note: This method only works twice so make sure to use it only when your 30 day trial period is about to expire.
Saad Hamid is a blogger and technology enthusiast from Pakistan. Connect with him on
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
This equals to 60 days
btw, the slmgr.vbs -rearm also works in wndows vista for extending the trial period by 30 days, and is reusable 3 times for a total of 90 days
… and that windows7 is based on vista 
Thanks for sharing the information mate!
Havn’t tried it yet. Will be nice to read some reviews. Good info
This is actually identical to the rearm method present in windows vista.
Does it tell you that you only have x number of days left?
If it doesnt then microsoft gives you a key when you download it from their site.
sysprep / generaliseren of slmgr.vbs herbewapenen of rundll32 slc.dll, SLReArmWindows
sysprep / generaliseren of slmgr.vbs herbewapenen of rundll32 slc.dll, SLReArmWindows