Windows Software Licensing Management Tool (Vista SLMGR.vbs) Usage Hack Guide

If you have played with Vista activation or attempted to activate Vista with cracks or tried to prolong trial period (rearm) of using Vista for free without buying product key, you should have familiar or at least came across the command of “slmgr” or “slmgr.vbs”. SLMGR stands for Software License ManaGeR, or its full name, Windows Software Licensing Management Tool. SLMgr is the main component in Windows Vista that manages system activation and product key, the license to use Windows.

All functions of SLMgr is provided by slmgr.vbs, a command line utility based on VBScript. Most activation related commands available in graphics user interface such as System Properties will call slmgr.vbs VBS script to perform the licensing operation. And even if you trigger or run SLMgr commands in command line, the results or any error details will display in pop-up dialog window in Vista explorer. Here’s some hack and usage guide for slmgr in Vista,a useful reference when you facing activation or not activated problem, or when you have been force into Reduced Functionality Mode.

Where and How to Use SLMgr.vbs

There are several ways actually to access and run SLMgr.vbs commands.

1. Command prompt window. This is the way to to run SLMgr with options which requires elevated administrator privileges.
2. Run command (Guide: Display Run command in Vista).
3. Start Search box integrated in the Start Menu. Using this method will require user to type in full script name - SLMgr.vbs into the search box so that the command looks like “slmgr.vbs -ato” and etc.

The most famous and common use of SLMgr is to perform a “slmgr.vbs -rearm” to extend the trial period of Vista for another 30 days. However, other than this popular switch, SLMgr.vbs actually supports a list of other options, which you can also view by using “SLMgr.vbs -?” command. You will see a result window displayed at below.

SLMgr Usage

Syntax

slmgr.vbs [MachineName [User Password]] [<Option>]

* MachineName: Name of remote machine (default is local machine)
* User: Account with required privilege on remote machine
* Password: password for the previous account

Global Options

-ipk <product key>
Install product key (replaces existing key)

-upk
Uninstall product key

-ato
Activate Windows

-dli [Activation ID | All]
Display license information (default: current license)

-dlv [Activation ID | All]
Display detailed license information (default: current license)

-xpr
Expiration date for current license state

Advanced Options

-cpky
Clear product key from the registry (prevents disclosure attacks)

-ilc <License file>
Install license

-rilc
Re-install system license files

-rearm
Reset the licensing status of the machine

-dti
Display Installation ID for offline activation

-atp <Confirmation ID>
Activate product with user-provided Confirmation ID

KMS Options

-skms <KMS activation server name>
Set KMS server name

-skms <KMS activation server port number>
Set KMS server port number

-skms <KMS activation server name:port number>
Set KMS server name and port number in single command

-ckms
Clear KMS server name and port number to default

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This entry was posted on Sunday, September 2nd, 2007 at 10:57 pm 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.