How to Recover from Reduced Functionality Mode (RFM) in Vista

Microsoft allows you to install and use Windows Vista for evaluation without license or product key for up to 30 days. Within these 30 days, you must activate the Vista system with a valid product key. Else, if you forget to activate your computer, or you’re using illegal and pirated product key, Windows Vista will go into Reduced Functionality Mode (RFM), where you basically can no longer use the system for productivity works until you successfully activate Vista with a licensed product key.

Vista Activation

Windows Activation

Activate Windows Now

Your activation period has expired and Windows is no longer working.
To use Windows you must activate this copy of Windows.

If you’re still not yet ready to activate your copy of Vista and want to further extend the activation period another 30 days, and also want to exit or recover from Reduced Functionality Mode so that you can continue using Vista without reinstalling, here’s a simple hack to crack the RFM. The trick is made possible by Microsoft which still allow users to use Internet Explorer in RFM (probably do so so that you will can buy a license online), which can be used to break out of Reduced Functionality mode by running an explorer interface to open an administrative level command prompt and run the commands required to reset your activation period and recover use of your computer and desktop.

This crack RFM trick is simplified from previous recover from RFM guide to make it easier to understand.

  1. On the Windows Activation – Activate Windows Now screen shown above, click on Access your computer with reduced functionality option.
  2. Once the Internet Explorer loads, click on File on menu bar and then select Open on the pull-down menu.
  3. On the Open dialog window, type in C:\Windows\Explorer.exe and then click OK.

    Recover from Vista RFM

  4. Click OK button on “IE needs to open a new window to open this webpage” confirmation prompt.

    Recover from Vista RFM

  5. Click Run button on “File Download – Security Warning” dialog prompt.

    Vista Reduced Functionality Mode Recovery

  6. Click on Run button on “File Download – Security Warning” warning dialog related to unknown and not verified publisher.

    Vista Activation in RFM

  7. User shell will load, and the desktop, taskbar, start menu and etc will be restored.
  8. The computer has recovered from Reduced Functionality for this session. To permanently stop RFM to happen again, Vista has to be rearmed.
  9. Click on the Start button.
  10. Type Cmd in Start Search box.
  11. A program shortcut will show up in the Start panel search results. Right click on the shortcut and select Run as Administrator.
  12. In the Command Prompt window, type in the following command and then hit Enter:

    slmgr.vbs -rearm

  13. Restart computer.

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 7th, 2007 at 2:43 am and is filed under Windows Vista. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

13 Responses to “How to Recover from Reduced Functionality Mode (RFM) in Vista”

  1. Rulas
    August 13th, 2009 09:31
    13

    I find how to do it in chrome, in the bookmarks manager, try ti import some bookmarks, it will open a explorer.exe window =)

  2. Jhelo Cruz
    June 16th, 2009 17:07
    12

    This doesn’t work in Google Chrome. Even Oliver’s advise won’t work. Anybody here how to do this one in Google Chrome?!
    Thanks in advance!

  3. Olivier
    May 30th, 2009 20:52
    11

    Good news !!!

    solution for google chrome :

    Open the downloads tab.
    try to open a picture or a pdf from the previous downloads.

    from there you can open in windows picture viewer the explorer.exe…

    have fun.

  4. Scott
    March 27th, 2009 05:59
    10

    I am in the boat with Mielu – Google chrome is my default browser and for some reason it won’t even navigate to any website under reduced functionality mode :-(

  5. Ibrahim52
    March 21st, 2009 20:58
    9

    Genius Post.Love it.Worked for me.You are just simply genius.

  6. Slight Problem. - Toyota MR2 Message Board
    February 6th, 2009 06:23
    8

    [...] for your help. I figured itout after a bit of searching, I came up with this. How to Recover from Reduced Functionality Mode (RFM) in Vista My Digital Life Free Vista w00t. **Disclaimer, I’m not a cheapass. It’s my wife’s Cousin’s computer, I do not [...]

  7. mielu
    January 4th, 2009 19:16
    7

    i can’t do it under google chrome. explorer wouldn’t start ? any recommendations ?

  8. Mark
    August 14th, 2008 21:58
    6

    Thanks buddy!

    Works in firefox 2 as well!

  9. yanin
    August 4th, 2008 21:37
    5

    so the desktop and icons and toolbar are all restored, but the start button won’t open up. what do i do?
    thanks in advance.

  10. PB
    June 16th, 2007 01:54
    4

    it didnt work 4 me. It said cannot rearm after I used the cmd. What should I do?

  11. spyker
    June 7th, 2007 15:01
    3

    or just navigate to CMD in system32 run as adimistrator and use the normal command.

  12. Joefloyd
    June 7th, 2007 12:59
    2

    I have vista but it is in chinese, how do change this if possible

  13. Delay or Extend Windows Vista Trial Install and Activation (WPA) Grace Timeout Period Hack » My Digital Life
    June 7th, 2007 02:45
    1

    [...] and updated tutorial on how to recover from RFM. Get help or contribute tips or tricks at My Digital Life [...]

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