How to Extend the Windows 7 Activation Trial Period Up to 120 Days

When you install Windows 7, you will have 30 days (trial period) to activate by default. Microsoft has allowed this rearm option to extend this grace period for another 30 days for up to 3 times.

3 (rearms) x 30 (days) = 90 (days extended) + 30 (default days) = 120 days total grace period.

It is recommended to wait until you only have only 1 day to activate left before doing this to make the most out of the 3 times you have to use this rearm option.

With or without a product key, all pre-release versions of Windows 7, but not earlier than the 6801 build, can only be used up until August 1, 2009. At this point the time bomb will activate and the prerelease of Windows 7 will stop working as per the End User License Agreement with Microsoft: “This software will stop running on August 1, 2009. You may not receive any other notice. You may not be able to access data used with the software when it stops running.”.

If you would like to have this done automatically every 30 days for you, then see how to with the steps provided by Darkassain

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/875-activation-trial-period-extend-up-120-days-post9782.html#post9782

Here's How:

1. Open the Start Menu.

2. In the Start Menu search box, type regedit, and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

3. In the registry, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform

4. In the right pane, see if SkipRearm is set to 0 (number 0) . (See screenshot above)

A) If it is not set to 0 - Right click on SkipRearm and click on Modify. Type 0 and click on OK. (See screenshot below)

B) If it is set to 0 - Skip this and go to step 5.

5. Close regedit.

6. Open a elevated command prompt.

7. In the elevated command prompt, type slmgr -rearm and press Enter. (See screenshot below)

8. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)

WARNING If you get one of these errors below, then do what is above the error:

• You will need to restart the computer first, then repeat steps 6 to 8 again.

• You have used up your 3 times. You will need to activate or reinstall Windows 7.

9. Close the elevated command prompt. (See screenshot below step 7)

10. Restart the computer to apply the changes and reset your trial period back to 30 days to activate.