You do not need a valid key to use Windows Vista freely. Vista provides a 30 day eval period that can easily be reset indefinitely.
Do not enter a product key when installing Vista
First and foremost, we need to set change the date to 2099, and rearm the eval period.
1. Open command prompt as an administrator. (Windows Key & R -> 'cmd')
2. Type
date
You should be prompted with:
The current date is: Fri 13/02/2009
Enter the new date...
Enter the new date as: 31/12/2099 (or 12/31/2099 depending on what part of the world you're from).
3. Rearm Vista:
cscript slmgr.vbs -rearm
4. Change date back to original. (Obviously:
date, then whatever today's date is.
5. Download
TimerStop.
6. Unpack the archive, run install.exe as administrator.
7. Click Test. A dialogue box will pop up, do not close it - yet.
8. Again, open command prompt as an administrator and type:
slmgr.vbs -dlv. In 5s, you should be prompted with a pop message, and right down the bottom will be the number of minutes left in the eval period for Vista. Note it.
9.
Wait a couple of minutes.
10. Run
slmgr.vbs -dlv again. Once again, look at the last line and the number of minutes remaining. If the number of minutes left is still the same as before, close the dialogue box in TimerStop and then press Install.
11. Go update Vista :)
This is simply a work-around for recycling Vista's evaluation period. GamerzPlanet will not be held responsible or liable for any damages that may occur to your PC through attempting this, either directly or indirectly. If you are unsure, go to a retail store and buy Vista.