Windows Custom Loader, Installer, and Activation Resource

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This is a compilation of many individual pages on a relative subject.

  • Installing various versions of Microsoft Windows
  • Slipstream Service Packs
  • Automate custom install
  • Automatic activation without Internet connectivity
  • Laboratory testing environment
  • Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1 all versions
  • Office and other MS software relevant

Do not misuse any information here to circumvent paying for a software product you are using.

Windows 95 Lucky 7's Key

The algorithm to the validation routine used by Microsoft for Windows 95 has been dubbed "Lucky Sevens" due to its simplicity. Hackers soon figured out the routine. In fact, people could actually generate keys in their head it was that simple.

Example Key: 666-0077700 (Lucky 7's Key)

Explained:

  • Strip off the 1st 3 digits (irrelevant placeholders).
  • Take each digit left over and add them together. 
0 + 0 + 7 + 7 + 7 + 0 + 0 = 21
  • Now divide the result by 7 and take the fractional part. If it is 0 then the key is considered to be authentic. 
21 / 7 = 3.0

source: Microsoft CD Key Validation Explained

 

 

Windows XP: The Devil's Own Key

In warez circles there has been much talk over the years about a pirate version of Windows XP, often referred to as "The Devil's Own" version. What this refers to specifically is a full version of Windows XP Pro Corporate,

Windows XP was first released on October 25, 2001. It required an online activation, with an option to call Microsoft by phone if no Internet connection was available, in order to use the product beyond an initial limited period.

Although beta versions of Windows XP existed prior to the release of the final version, the notion that The Devil's Own version of XP was a beta is not true. Any hacked beta releases came prior to the actual Devil's Own version appeared in the wild.

According to experts within the warez community, The Devil's Own version of Windows XP is a complete, non-beta version of Windows XP Pro Corporate and a special volume license key, or VLK, that allowed the version of Windows to work without activation. This eliminated the need to activate online or call Microsoft for the version of Windows XP to work indefinitely.

The Devil's Own Version and the associated VLK leaked prior to the October 25 official release date of the operating system. It is speculated that the leak came from a major computer manufacturer, namely, Dell, as they received the final version ahead of the official release date.

The famous Windows XP Devil's Own Key is:

  • FCKGW RHQQ2 YXRKT 8TG6W 2B7Q8

Although Microsoft states they started blocking leaked VLK's as early as the release of Service Pack 1 (SP1) it wasn't until SP2 was released that the famous Devil's Own key was blocked. Using the key above will prevent you from being able to install SP2 on Windows XP. Microsoft basically created a new key verification engine for Windows XP Service Pack 2 that could detect illicit keys that they have in their blacklist database.

The Devil's Own Key has been blocked to the point that it will not work with any of the later releases of Windows XP, namely the version with SP2 already integrated, or "slipstreamed" into the operating system. The Devil's Own key has been officially blocked by Microsoft since August 2004.

Individuals that were using The Devil's Own key found an effective workaround. By using a special "key changer" application developed in the warez underground, the Devil's Own key could be changed to another key that had leaked, however, was not within the SP2 internal blacklist.

The final defense Microsoft used against leaked keys was the introduction of the WGA update.

In August of 2005, individuals still using the Windows XP Devil's Own key were locked out of MS Windows Update. Microsoft started requiring users to verify their serial number before using Windows Update. This effort to force users to either buy XP or tell them where you got the illegal copy is called ‘Genuine Advantage.’

Microsoft left a door open to bypass the serial number verification process using a JavaScript. To get the free version of Windows, a customer must fill out a counterfeit report identifying the source of the software, provide a proof of purchase and send in a counterfeit CD of the software. If customers don’t have all of that information, they can still fill out a counterfeit report and receive a copy of Windows XP Home Edition for $99 or a copy of Windows XP Professional Edition for $149. 

javascript:void(window.g_sDisableWGACheck='all')

However, a few months later Microsoft patched the javascript hole so that there was no further work around to bypass the WGA check when manually running Windows Update on Windows XP. Microsoft made a press release stating the following, "Customers who discover they have a counterfeit copy of Windows will either be given a free version of the operating system or can purchase it for a discounted price."

Microsoft went a step further, encouraging individuals to turn in others they knew were using a pirate key. The "nark" would be rewarded with a free license for Windows XP.

An equivalent such key has leaked for Windows Vista. This devils key has also been blacklisted by Microsoft and will cause the WGA notification on systems utilizing it. The Vista Devil's key is:

  • YFKBB-PQJJV-G996G-VWGXY-2V3X8

See all Microsoft Windows Installation Keys for further information.

 

 

Windows Test Keys for "Testing" Only

Windows XP

Windows XP Pro Corp 32 bit -w- SP3 Slipstream

  • Key 1: KWTDY-HYHVW-M9TGD-WYBPT-H7HGQ
  • Key 2: MR49R-DRJXX-M6PX2-V96BF-8CKBJ

 

 

Windows Genuine Advantage: Skip the WGA Check

Is Bill Gates harassing you? Is he stalking you, inside your computer, telling you that “This copy of Windows is not genuine” with annoying little popup messages? Then you are not alone. This latest Microsoft stunt basically installs a virus, created by Microsoft, through Windows Auto Update. The WGA Virus will present users of unregistered or unofficial Windows installations with an alarming warning message. What Microsoft calls a “Genuine” copy of Windows is one that has a unique key, identified by their database, and registered to a specific user or company. Whether you have a pirated copy of Windows or have simply not registered for reasons of privacy, you will be harassed by WGA Notifications (Windows Genuine Advantage), unless you take precautions. If it is already too late, then there are some things you can do to undo the damage caused by the new Microsoft WGA Virus.

Microsoft has assigned several popular yet important downloads such as Internet Explorer 7 RC1 for Windows XP SP2, Windows Defender Beta 2, DirectX End-User Runtime, Windows Media Player 10 and etc as software that available only to users running genuine Microsoft software products. Thus Microsoft protects these software apps with Windows Genuine Advantage program and restricts the download of the these software programs by required users to go through genuine Windows validation test and check.

Windows Genuine Advantage protects the software products available from Microsoft by requiring users to validate their copy of Windows before downloading start and before installing of the application. With the release of WGA Validation Tool 1.5.708.0, Microsoft has also made it harder for any crack, fix, patch or hack to bypass, disable and remove the WGA genuine Windows validation required before allow users to download the software. If for whatever reason you’re unable to pass the validation test even though you’re using the genuine Microsoft Windows products, you still able to download the WGA-protected software, without any crack, hack or patch, by download directly from Microsoft download link.

WGA: External Resources

WGA: HowTo Download Popular Microsoft Software from Microsoft and Skip the WGA Check

After installing Windows XP you notice a message in the bottom right, "30 days left for activation" in the icon tray. This indicates that you must activate your windows XP because the Windows key you used is not a match with the CD installer product.

Remove Windows Activation

  1. Disable Internet access
  2. START -> RUN -> Type: regedit.exe and click RUN
  3. Navigate the registry to the following hive and key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WPAEvents
  4. On the right panel, find "OOBETimer" and double click it.
  5. Delete and replace the values with the following: FF D5 71 D6 8B 6A 8D 6F D5 33 93 FD
  6. Click "OK"
  7. Next, on the left panel, right-click "WPAEvents"
  8. Click on "permissions"
  9. Click "SYSTEM"
  10. Click the box "Deny Full Control"
  11. Click "OK"
  12. Click "YES" and exit Registry Editor.
  13. Reboot

Testing: Try to activate windows by clicking "Activate Windows" wither under the START menu or under ALL PROGRAMS.

The procedure does not guarantee that your Windows installation will cease to fully function after 30 days. It will remove the warning. In some cases it will allow Windows to continue running fully after the 30 day trial period. Results vary.

Troubleshooting: In some cases after 30 days the user is presented with the message, "This copy of Windows must be activated with microsoft before you can log on. Do you want to activate Windows now?" when first booting windows, then after selecting "yes" presented with another message, "Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit." This can happen when the registry hack failed to work. User is prevented from using Windows. A workaround is presented below under the heading, "Another 30-days to try Windows."

Remove Windows Activation with Dummy Key

If the above procedure fails you may need to supply a bogus key along with the activation patch.

  1. Disable Internet access
  2. Click "ACTIVATE ON THE PHONE" and then "CHANGE Product Key"
  3. Enter a Dummy Key such as: THMPV – 77D6F – 94376 – 8HGKG – VRDRQ
  4. Click "UPDATE"
  5. Click "REMIND ME LATER"
  6. Restart the computer
  7. Log in to Windows and click START -> RUN and type "%system"
  8. Click "OK"

See all Microsoft Windows Installation Keys for further information.

Another 30-days to try Windows

How about if you could have another 30 days in your trial period?

In this process we will load Windows in Safe Mode with Command Prompt, which is an option that can be made available when you turn on the computer by pressing the F8 key. You may have to press the F8 key more than once. Typically you will be able to enter the Windows boot selection menu by pressing F8 right after the initial logo and bios information is posted to the monitor.

  1. Reboot or turn on computer
  2. Press F8 on boot to goto boot options, Boot into Safe Mode With Command Prompt.
  3. Type: "rundll32.exe syssetup,SetupOobeBnk"
  4. Now reboot by pressing Control-Alt-Delete which opens the Task Manager, select Shut Down from the toolbar menu, and choose reboot.

This process can be repeated every 30 days indefinitely.


some related pages

 

 

Windows XP Pro Black Edition

Similar to the label "Devil's Own" which relates to just a key, the Windows XP Black Edition is a pseudonym for one of the various pirate releases of Windows XP that do not require the entry of a product key during installation, and does not require activation. The most notable Windows XP Black Edition is a version that installs without needing a key, and includes all 3 service packs. Black Editions are complete installation images rather than simply a key or crack.

One notable risk with installing a Windows XP Pro Black Edition is that of malware. Windows XP Pro Black Edition is commonly available on file sharing services. Some of the downloads available will be bundled with malware. There are many that are malware free and in use by people without issue. Tips for how to discern the good from the bad and where to get the Black Edition are beyond the scope of this document.

Change Windows XP Home to Pro

Windows XP Professional Edition has several features that are intentionally disabled in the Home Edition. Microsoft sells the Home Edition for a low price. Since Microsoft Windows contains a massive amount of uncharted code, including layers of legacy code going back to MS-DOS, it is easier for them to simply disable features in XP Home Edition rather than remove those features. Basically, Microsoft is greedy so they ask people to pay more in order to have all of the features enabled and available to the user.

Features only found in XP Pro

  • Complete support for security between multiple users on the same machine.
  • Complete peer-to-peer networking capability
  • Ability to join NT domain or Active Directory
  • Windows Administrative Tools (in the Start Menu and Control Panel)
  • Automated System Recovery (ASR)
  • Boot Configuration Manager
  • DriverQuery
  • Group Policy Refresh Utility
  • Multi-lingual User Interface (MUI) add-on
  • NTFS Encryption Utilitiy
  • Offline Files and Folders
  • OpenFiles
  • Performance Log Manager
  • Remote Desktop
  • Scheduled Tasks Console
  • Security Template Utility
  • Taskkill
  • Tasklist
  • Telnet Administrator
  • SMP Multi-processor support (2 or 4 CPUs)
  • Dynamic Disks
  • Fax.

Windows XP Home Limitations in Networking and Security

Computers running Windows XP Home Edition cannot join corporate domains. For this reason, features that require machine accounts within a domain, such as Group Policy, are not available in Windows XP Home Edition.

Features such as Encrypting File System (EFS) and computer domain account support add complexity that is primarily for business use and therefore is not supported in Windows XP Home Edition.

Domain-based credentials cannot be stored on a computer running Windows XP Home Edition. However, when connecting to a domain by using Remote Access or virtual private networking (VPN), the user’s remote access credentials are stored during that session to allow user access to domain resources.

Windows XP Home Edition uses a slightly different scheme than Windows XP Professional to identify security groups. Backup Operators, Power Users, and Replicator groups are removed from Windows XP Home Edition. Instead, Restricted Users are added as a group to Windows XP Home Edition, and the Administrators group is replaced by the Owners group.

The following security featurse are disabled in Windows XP Home Edition:

  • Encrypting File System (EFS)
  • Computer domain account support
  • Access Control List (ACL) Editor
  • Administrative shares (available only when joined to a domain)
  • Log on using dial-up connection option in Log On to Windows dialog box
  • Security-related Group Policy settings

Windows XP Professional allows up to 10 simultaneous file-sharing connections.

Windows XP Home Edition allows up to five connections only.

Some advanced network components designed for corporate networks-the user interface for the IPSec manual configuration are not enabled in Windows XP Home Edition.

Hack to Change Windows XP Home to Windows XP Pro

Convert and turn Windows XP Home Edition to Windows XP Pro Edition, from within the operating system without re-installation. This is a partial conversion due to limitations in the scope of the process.

  • This will not provide all of the features available in XP Pro.

Enable the features found in Windows XP Professional on your Windows XP Home Edition installation with this hack. It will allow you to turn your Windows XP Home CD into a Windows XP Professional CD. The hack doesn’t actually install and add in all the features from Windows XP Professional that Windows XP Home has disabled. It will not provide Remote Desktop Server or Group Policy Editor, since those are features that are actually absent from XP Home rather than just being disabled.

In Windows XP Home edition many advanced features are simply disabled. Of those not altered from within the code, many can be switched back on via the Windows registry.

  1. Open Registry Editor (regedit).
  2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/ControlSet00X/Control/ProductOptions, where ControlSet00X is the one with the highest number.
  3. Delete the ProductSuite registry key.
  4. Then, create a new DWORD value and named it as Brand.
  5. Set the “Brand” value data as 0.
  6. Reboot the system.
  7. On boot up after the BIOS screen, press F8 to display Windows XP Startup Menu.
  8. Choose Last Known Good Configuration (LNG) and hit Enter.

Windows XP will start up as usual. After logging into the desktop, check the system properties to verify that it’s now Windows XP Professional.

You can now burn the data on your hard drive to a CD to make a new Windows XP CD. Then use the CD to install Windows XP. Be sure to make the CD bootable. You can use the instructions here to help you do that.

Joining an NT Domain with a Converted Windows

According to the source, this hack WILL NOT allow the converted Windows to join an NT domain. According to user reports, after running Windows Update on a converted machine, it WAS able to join an NT domain. This may depend on the service pack level and what updates follow the conversion.

 

 

 

 

Switch from Office Click-to-Run to MSI-based Office

This is a version of Office that runs in a manner that can be described as "virtually, via the Internet." With click-to-run there is no installed .exe file on the system. Microsoft describes it as a streaming and virtualization technology. It allows Microsoft to control your access to the software. You never truly have the software installed on your system. An executable is cached to the system only when Office is in use.

One advantage to click-to-run is that it allows users to sample a newer version of Office while at the same time having an older or different version of office already installed on the system. Microsoft states, the virtualization technology provides an isolated environment for Office to run on your computer. This isolated environment allows you to run the latest version of Office side-by-side with an earlier version of Office that is already installed on your computer.

Click-to-Run is an alternative to the traditional Windows Installer-based (MSI) method of installing and updating Office. If you install Office by using MSI, you have to wait until the whole Office product is installed before you can open and start to use the product. But with the streaming capabilities in Click-to-Run, you can open and start to use the product before the whole product is installed. While you are using the product, the rest of the product is being downloaded in the background. If you try to use a feature that is not yet downloaded and installed, Click-to-Run immediately downloads and installs that feature.

Using click-to-run requires an active Internet connection during the Office session. If you do not have Internet access, you cannot use click-to-run. After the product is completely downloaded and installed, users can disconnect from the network or Internet and continue to use the Office product. This is because the Office product is installed on the local computer.

MS Office 2010 click-to-run Technical Notes

There is no way to extract a product key from Microsoft Click-to-Run.

Click-to-Run has several known glitches which can render it nonfunctional.

Users have the option to Switch from Office Click-to-Run to MSI-based Office without having to pay for an upgraded license. The user will have to know their Microsoft account credentials.

Switch from Office Click-to-Run to MSI-based Office

The license is the same. You do not need a new Product Key. If you have any questions, contact Microsoft Support.

  1. Save all work, and then close all programs.
  2. In Control Panel, open Programs and Features to see a list of installed programs.
  3. Click Microsoft Office Click-To-Run 2010, and then click Uninstall.
  4. To remove Microsoft Office Click-to-Run, click Yes.
  5. Go to the Microsoft Office alternative fulfillment page.
  6. Click My account.
  7. Click Download, and then click Advanced options.
  8. Follow the instructions.
  9. To install the MSI-based Microsoft Office edition, run SingleImage.exe.
  10. When prompted, type your Product Key to continue.

Online Resources

MS Office Bootleg Installer: SetupConsumerC2ROLW.exe

SetupConsumerC2ROLW.exe is a bootleg installer for Microsoft Office 2010. It uses the original binary developed by Microsoft Corporation which has been modified for broad installation. It is not sanctioned by Microsoft. Some copies floating around may contain malware. The original bootleg distribution was safe (contained no malware.)

Since OEMs are not including the Office Starter / Office Click-to-Run in their System Recovery image, users have found that SetupConsumerC2ROLW.exe is an option to get MS Office back on the restored machine.

MS Office Starter / Click-to-Run Clarification

MS Office Starter is now Click-to-Run. There are older versions of Office Starter. Here is a quick tip on Office Starer repair:

  • Launch Program and Features from Control Panel
  • Right-click on Microsoft Office Starter Edition 2010 and choose Change
  • On the next screen click Yes to start the repair
  • Once the repair completes click OK

Office Click-to-Run has no exe file on the drive. If you see something that looks like the following then you have a full version of Microsoft Office and not Click-to-Run, or you have both, because with Click-to-Run you can still have another version installed.

  • Word: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\WINWORD.EXE
  • Access: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\MSACCESS.EXE
  • Excel: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\EXCEL.EXE
  • Publisher: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office14\MSPUB.EXE

 

 

Activating Windows and Microsoft Office without Internet

Windows Loader is a program developed by Daz crew to programmatically activate most of the Microsoft products such as Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1, Office 2010, Office 2013 and Office 365 for free of cost.

Warning! - There are custom versions of Windows Loader that do not require an Internet connection to activate. One example is that used by [TeamOS-HKRG] to activate Windows 7. The version of Windows Loader from the Daz Download does require an Internet connection according to Daz developer.

  1. Download the appropriate windows loader
  2. Run the loader and complete the installation.

The developers claim: "It may look illegal to most of people but this is a security hole in their operating system that they didn’t pay much attention to. "

You should never use this to circumvent paying for software. It is for testing purposes such as testing a system hardware before paying for and installing before regular use.

 

 

Installing Windows from a USB Flash Drive

USB Flash Drive, Pen Drive, Thumb Drive. To install from flash memory you can use a bootable flash drive utility that creates for you a bootable flash drive with the ISO installer onboard.

Rufus

Rufus is a portable utility that allows you to create bootable USB drives for Windows and Linux. It also allows you to check the USB device for bad blocks, using up to four passes. Rufus runs in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Microsoft Windows. You can create bootable USB drives for the listed versions of Windows, as well as almost all popular Linux distributions. You can also use Rufus to put utilities on USB drives, such as Parted, Ultimate Boot CD, and BartPE.

Example: To create a bootable Windows 7 installer from Rufu’s settings, Choose NTFS as the file system. Then check the option for "Quick format" and "Create extended label and icon files." Now check "Create a bootable disk using" and select your ISO file.

Syslinux

Make A USB flash drive bootable.

UNetbootin

UNetbootin allows you to create bootable Live USB drives for Ubuntu, Fedora, and other Linux distributions without burning a CD. It runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X. You can either let UNetbootin download one of the many distributions supported out-of-the-box for you, or supply your own Linux .iso file if you've already downloaded one or your preferred distribution isn't on the list.

Universal USB Installer

UUI is a Live Linux USB Creator that allows you to choose a Live Linux Distribution, the ISO file, your Flash Drive and, Click Install to have a bootable Live working Linux on the flash drive.

See also: Ubuntu Installation from a Flash Drive

Windows 7 USB download tool

  • free from Microsoft

When you purchase Windows 7 from Microsoft Store, you have the option to download an ISO file or compressed files. The Windows 7 USB/DVD Download tool allows you to create a copy of your Windows 7 ISO file on a USB flash drive or a DVD. This is an official Microsoft product.

WiNToBootic

A standalone tool that supports an ISO file, a DVD, or a folder as the boot disk source.

WinToFlash

A portable tool that allows you to create a bootable USB flash drive from a Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, Server 2003, or Server 2008 installation CD or DVD.

WoeUSB

Create Bootable Windows USB drive from Linux. WoeUSB is a fork of the obsolete WinUSB. You are running linux and you need to take a MS Windows ISO image to create a bootable USB drive (for the purpose of installing Windows) then WoeUSB is a quick and easy solution. WoeUSB can create bootable USB media for Windows from Windows ISO images or DVDs.

Ubuntu 14.04 and Ubuntu 16.04 to 17.04, Linux Mint 17.x and 18.x 

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8
sudo apt update
sudo apt install woeusb

To create a Windows 7 boot:

  • from console execute: 
sudo bash
echo $((16*1024*1024)) > /proc/sys/vm/dirty_background_bytes
echo $((48*1024*1024)) > /proc/sys/vm/dirty_bytes
exit
  • ensure ISO is on the local disk, not a network drive or mounted from another medium, this seems to cause problems
  • using an ISO, run WoeUSB, and select NTFS as the file system for the flash.
  • If you get an exit code 256 error after the NTFS format, dont worry. Just start the process over. It seems to be a conflict between automount and woeusb. The second time around it starts copying files after it realizes the drive is NTFS formatted already
  • monitor the progress from console with nmon

Note: This process is not verified, and failed during testing.

Etcher / balena Etcher

balenaEtcher is a free and open-source utility used for writing image files such as .iso and .img files, as well as zipped folders onto storage media to create live SD cards and USB flash drives. Uses a GUI Etcher Bootable USB Creator.

When I downloaded Etcher for Linux from the main web page the program came as an AppImage file. They also provide external links to deb package and other options such as RPM.

The dd Command in Linux

Here are some examples using dd. 

sudo dd if=./linuxmint-19.2-cinnamon-64bit.iso of=/dev/sdc bs=4M status=progress oflag=sync
sudo dd if=./linuxmint-19.2-cinnamon-64bit.iso of=/dev/sdc bs=4M status=progress conv=fdatasync
sudo dd if=./linuxmint-19.2-cinnamon-64bit.iso of=/dev/sdc bs=4M && sync

These are from different sources. Sometimes this works. Sometimes it just sits there forever and you don't get a prompt back even if you try to break.

When you insert the USB flash drive into the Linux PC it is immediately recognized as a block device, not not necessarily auto mounted even when auto mount is enabled. It will be auto mounted if there is a partition that has a compatible file system. If it is auto mounted you need to unmount it from the command line while not "ejecting" it. We want the kernel to see the block device, however, we do not want any partition mounted.

The block device will show up in fdisk -l and if it does not, then you will not be able to write the ISO to the flash drive. If the flash drive auto mounts, then simply unmount it by a command 

umount /dev/sdc

With the block device recognized, and the partition(s) not mounted, I found this command to work best: 

sudo dd if=./linuxmint-19.2-cinnamon-64bit.iso of=/dev/sdc bs=4M status=progress oflag=sync

can detach a USB drive with the following commands 

sudo eject /dev/sdc

After invoking the eject command the USB flash drive is no longer a block device visible with fdisk -l

Related

     

       

  keywords: activate windows activation activated license product key

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