Ask The Admin

Microsoft allows you to run Windows Server 2008 as a trial for 30 days to get the feel of it just like Vista. If you have gotten caught out there and went past the 30 days you realize you can't get at your stuff. You are in reduced functionality mode - and thats just not fun.

By now, I'm sure you have heard about the slmgr "hack" (From Download Squad) that allows you to run Windows Vista for up to 120 days without activation (instead of 30). Well, it appears that the exact same hack works on Windows Server 2008 (RC0).



If you wait too long and it prompts you to activate upon boot, select reduced functionality mode. When the IE window opens use the address bar to navigate to C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe. Enter the slmgr text from there, wait for the confirmation box and reboot.

After some testing we were able to get this working 8 times on a Vista install - not practical but great in a bind. Will this work on Server 2008 as well? Let us know!