Datasheet

44 Chapter 1
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Planning for the Installation of Windows 7
At this writing, it appears as though everything in Windows 7 still works in this
reduced-functionality mode. The desktop background goes black with text indicating the
copy of Windows is not genuine. You can change the background, but it will change back
within about an hour. Periodically, an Activation window appears, informing you the acti-
vation period has expired and prompting you to activate, buy a new product key online,
retype your product key, or view other ways to activate.
On Windows Server 2008 R2 (the server companion to Windows 7), the server shuts
down hourly after the activation period expires.
All of this can be frustrating when you use a system that isn’t activated, but there is a
simple solution—ensure the software is genuine and activate it.
You can activate Windows from the System page. Click Start, right-click Computer,
and select Properties. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you’ll see a Windows
Activation menu similar to Figure 1.11.
FIGURE 1.11 Viewing the Windows Activation status
If your system is connected to the Internet, you can simply click this link. Your system
will connect to Microsoft’s servers, some information on your computer will be trans-
ferred back and forth, and a moment later you’ll be notified that activation was successful.
Microsoft stresses that the information transferred during the activation process can be
used to identify your computer, but it does not include any information on the user.
Once the system is activated, the countdown to activate will be replaced with a message
saying, “Windows is Activated.” Windows activation is considered permanent, although
Windows does periodically check to ensure that the system is the same.
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