Activating Windows

When you upgrade your computer’s operating system to Windows Vista, or the first time you start a new computer on which Windows Vista has been installed by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), you are prompted to activate your copy of Windows.

Each copy of Windows Vista must be activated within 30 days of the first use. After that grace period expires, you will not be able to use all the functions of Windows. You can activate Windows over the Internet or by telephone, or it will activate itself after a few days, if you have an active Internet connection. You don’t have to give any personal information about yourself or your computer during the activation process.

The goal of Windows Product Activation is to reduce a form ...

Get Windows Vista™ Step by Step now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.