What If Systems Are Not Activated?

Activation is designed to provide a transparent activation experience for users. If activation does not occur immediately after the operating system is installed, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 still provide the full functionality of the operating system for a limited amount of time (a grace period). The length of the grace period is 30 days for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. After the grace period expires, both operating systems remind the user through notifications to activate the computer.

Grace Period

During the initial grace period, there are periodic notifications that the computer requires activation. Computers in this grace period have a set period of time to activate the operating system. ...

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