Extend Activation Grace Period Using VBS

You may use the rearm argument of the slmgr tool to Reset the licensing status of the machine. If un-activated, this will essentially rest the period by which you must activate. You can do this three times, which (including the original 30 days you are allowed) means that you can extend activation for a total of 120 days using this command as opposed to the advertised 30 day requirement.

So what is this slmgr tool? It is the "Software Licensing Service" manager which is actually a Visual Basic script that you will find in your Windows/System32 directory.

If you wanted to have your scripted installation process complete by activating Vista over the internet, you would use the following command:

cscript \windows\system32\slmgr.vbs –ato

In fact, the script may be used to configure KMS hosts for KMS activations and can even be modified to assist in manual telephone activations. Microsoft recommends adapting this built-in script to suit your needs if you have a need to perform activation frequently or activate multiple computers.

The following arguments are supported by slmgr…

ipk = Install product key (replaces existing key)
upk = Uninstall product key
ato = Activate Windows
dli = Display license information (default: current license)
dlv = Display detailed license information (default: current license)
xpr = Expiration date for current license state
cpky = Clear product key from the registry (prevents disclosure attacks)
ilc = Install license
rilc = Re-install system license files
dti = Display Installation ID for offline activation
atp = Activate product with user-provided Confirmation ID
rearm = Reset the licensing status of the machine
skms = Set the name and/or the port for the KMS computer this machine will use
ckms = Clear name of KMS computer used (sets the port to the default)
sai = Set interval (minutes) for unactivated clients to attempt KMS connection. The activation interval must be between 15 minutes (min) and 30 days (max) although the default (2 hours) is recommended.
sri = Set renewal interval (minutes) for activated clients to attempt KMS connection. The renewal interval must be between 15 minutes (min) and 30 days (max) although the default (7 days) is recommended.
sprt = Set TCP port KMS will use to communicate with clients
sdns = Enable DNS publishing by KMS (default)
cdns = Disable DNS publishing by KMS
spri = Set KMS priority to normal (default)
cpri = Set KMS priority to low

Run slmgr -dlv to view your activation details. It will take a couple of seconds, then a Windows Script Host dialog will appear which shows several details. Naturally your own values may differ, but as an example:

Software licensing service version: 6.0.6000.16386
Name: Windows(TM) Vista, Ultimate Edition
Description: Windows Operating System - Vista, RETAIL channel
Activation ID: [GUID]
Activation ID: [GUID]
Extended PID: [GUID w/DateTime]
Processor Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=57201
Machine Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=57203
Use License URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=57205
Product Key Certificate URL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=57204
Partial Product Key: [Last 5 Characters of the Product Key you provided]
License Status: Licensed

The URLs above are to web services that support an IssueToken method (via XML/SOAP).

Find more details on slmgr usage at:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/plan/volact1.mspx