Reduced Functionality Mode

How to Get Out of Reduced Functionality Mode in Vista​

   Information

This will show you how to get out of Reduced Functionality Mode if you did not activate Vista within the 30 day activation trial period and the period has expired, Vista determines or thinks that it is installed on a different computer than it was originally activated on, or you have a non-genuine version of Vista.

For more information, see: Microsoft Help and Support: KB925582 Article and Genuine Microsoft Software

   Warning

Microsoft no longer provides support for OEM copies of Vista. If you have one of these, then you must contact the OEM, instead of Microsoft in this tutorial, to activate your OEM Vista. OEM contact information should be included in the documentation that came with your computer or OEM Vista installation CD/DVD package.

METHOD ONE

If you Have Vista SP1/SP2 Installed

NOTE: For more information, see: Windows Genuine Advantage : Taking the next step with Windows Vista SP1

1. Whe you logon to Vista, you will see this message with a window with the options below if Vista is running in reduced functionality mode. To use Vista again, select the option (see table below) in the window that you want to do. (See screenshot below table)​

NOTE: You will have to wait 15 seconds for the Activate Later option to not be grayed out.​

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[TABLE=class:-grid,-width:-500][TR][TD]
Option
[/TD]
[TD]
Description
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Activate now
[/TD]
[TD]
This will attempt to activate Vista now.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Activate later
[/TD]
[TD]
This will take you to the desktop again, but with reduced functions and features available in Vista until you activate Vista.
[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]

​

​

2. If you click on Activate Later, then you will notice that you will have a message in the lower right corner of the desktop that says Windows Vista ™ Build 6001 This copy of Windows is not genuine.​

A) Features like DreamScene will not longer function until you activate Vista. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: DreamScene is only available for the Vista Ultimate edition. ​

​

​

METHOD TWO

If You DO NOT Have Vista SP1/SP2 Installed

1. You will see this message with a window with the options below at the startup of Vista if Vista is running in reduced functionality mode. To use Vista again, select the option in the window that will best resolve the problem. See the table below the screenshot for a description of each option.​

WARNING: If you click on the Cancel button, you will be taken to the logon screen. However, after you logon, you will be taken back to this window.​

​

​

[TABLE=class:-grid,-width:-700][TR][TD]
Option
[/TD]
[TD]
Description
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Activate Windows online now
[/TD]
[TD]
If you did not activate Windows within the 30-day activation period, or you typed a valid product key but might have ignored previous activation notifications, select this option to activate Windows on the Internet.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Access your computer with reduced functionality
[/TD]
[TD]
If you need to buy another product key, or you’re running a version of Windows that was detected as non-genuine and you did not activate Windows within the 30-day activation period, select this option to go to a website where you can buy a new product key. You can also use this option to extend the 30-day activation period. (See step 1 below)
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Retype you product key
[/TD]
[TD]
If you mistyped your product key, or have not yet typed a product key, select this option.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Show me other ways to activate
[/TD]
[TD]
If you did not activate Windows within the 30-day activation period, or you typed a valid product key but might have ignored previous activation notifications, select this option to activate Windows with a modem or by phone. Also select this option if you made a hardware change that requires activating Windows again and you did not activate Windows within the allotted 3-day activation period.
[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]

​

2. Click on Access your computer with reduced functionality.​

NOTE: This option will get you out of the Reduced Functionality mode for now and extend you trial period to 30 more days so you can activate Vista later.​

​

3. This will open Internet Explorer.​

​

4. Check the Do not show me the warning for this program again box. (See screenshot below)​

​

5. Click on the Allow button in the IE Security Warning prompt.​

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​

​

​

6. Type C:\ into the address bar and press Enter. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: This will open a Windows Explorer window.​

​

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7. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32 (See screenshot below)​

​

8. Scroll down until you find the file cmd.exe.​

​

9. Right click on cmd.exe and click Run as administrator.​

NOTE: This will open a elevated command prompt window.​

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​

10. Click on the Continue button in the UAC prompt.​

​

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

NOTE: This will only work if you have not already did this 3 times, or installed the Vista SP1 (Service Pack). If you have, you will receive a denied error.​

​

​

12. It will take a few moments, but you will hear a ding and get a pop-up success prompt soon. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: If you do not see it, then minimize the IE7 window to be able to.​

​

13. Click on OK.​

​

​

14. Click on the Cancel button on the window in the example at the top. (See screenshot below step 1)​

NOTE: This will log you off and take you back to the logon screen.​

​

15. In the log on screen, click on the red box arrow at the bottom right corner to expand it. (See screenshot below)​

​

16. Click on Restart.​

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17. When the computer restarts, you will see another window with these options:​

NOTE: Choose the option you want to do. See the table below the screenshot for a description of each option.​

​

​

​

[TABLE=class:-grid,-width:-700][TR][TD]
Option
[/TD]
[TD]
Description
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Activate windows online now
[/TD]
[TD]
This will attempt to activate Vista now.
[/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD]
Ask me later
[/TD]
[TD]
This will take you to the desktop again.

• You will have 30 days, or how long it gives you, to activate Vista.
• If you want to extend the trial period further, then see: How to Extend Vista Trial Time for Up to 120 Days

[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]

​

​

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Activate Vista Normally and by Phone Activation
• How to See Windows Vista Current License Information
• How to Do a Clean Install of Vista From a Upgrade Version
• How to Do a Clean Install with a Full Version of Vista
• How to Perform a Repair Installation for Vista
• How to Extend Vista Trial Period for Up to 120 Days
• How to Uninstall the Product Key Number and Deactivate Windows 7 and Vista

 

[Brink]

Is this the method below that you are using to do a factory recovery with your Acer computer?

Acer Support: Frequently Asked Questions list for Recovery media and Restoring a system to factory load
​

Go ahead and download and run the Genuine Diagnostics tool (MGADiag.exe) at this link http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012. Click Continue, click the Copy button then Paste the report into a reply in this thread.

If you do not have access to the Start Button:

1) Login to Vista and click the 'Buy & get a new product key online;' option. Clicking that option will open an Internet Browser.
2) Type: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012 into the browser address bar.
3) A window will come up asking if you want to “Run” or “Save”, Select “Run”
4) When the program runs, click the “Continue” button, then click the “Copy” button.
5) Return to this thread: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/121866-reduced-functionality-mode-2.html
6) In a reply post, paste the Diagnostic Report.

 

[noelcwt]

Hi,

Yes, that was the method I used for recovery.

This is the diagnostic report.

However the last 12 digits of product key I got here is entirely different from the sticker that is on the back panel of my laptop? Mine is xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-CTYW9-GBGKT

If this copy of windows vista is OEM licensed, the product key can only be used on and only my laptop right?

Windows Product Key: *****-*****-XY9X3-JDXYP-6CJ97

Diagnostic Report (1.9.0027.0):
-----------------------------------------
Windows Validation Data-->
Validation Status: Invalid License
Validation Code: 50
Cached Online Validation Code: N/A, hr = 0xc004f012
Windows Product Key: *****-*****-XY9X3-JDXYP-6CJ97
Windows Product Key Hash: xFQJU8srKsovk6p1Lk1yW93in4E=
Windows Product ID: 89578-OEM-7332157-00211
Windows Product ID Type: 2
Windows License Type: OEM SLP
Windows OS version: 6.0.6000.2.00010300.0.0.003
ID: {59B4260D-0610-4319-BFB5-A0AA66D9808C}(1)
Is Admin: Yes
TestCab: 0x0
LegitcheckControl ActiveX: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Product Name: Windows Vista (TM) Home Premium
Architecture: 0x00000000
Build lab: 6000.vista_gdr.100218-0019
TTS Error: 
Validation Diagnostic: 
Resolution Status: N/A
 
Vista WgaER Data-->
ThreatID(s): N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
 
Windows XP Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
File Exists: No
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaTray.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
WgaLogon.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
 
OGA Notifications Data-->
Cached Result: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Version: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAExec.exe Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
OGAAddin.dll Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
 
OGA Data-->
Office Status: 102
Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 - 100 Genuine
OGA Version: N/A, 0x80070002
Signed By: N/A, hr = 0x80070002
Office Diagnostics: 77F760FE-153-80070002_7E90FEE8-175-80070002_025D1FF3-364-80041010_025D1FF3-229-80041010_025D1FF3-230-1_025D1FF3-517-80040154_025D1FF3-237-80040154_025D1FF3-238-2_025D1FF3-244-80070002_025D1FF3-258-3_B4D0AA8B-920-80070057
 
Browser Data-->
Proxy settings: N/A
User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Win32)
Default Browser: C:\Users\noelcwt\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
Download signed ActiveX controls: Prompt
Download unsigned ActiveX controls: Disabled
Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins: Allowed
Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: Disabled
Allow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser control: Disabled
Active scripting: Allowed
Script ActiveX controls marked as safe for scripting: Allowed
 
File Scan Data-->
 
Other data-->
Office Details: <GenuineResults><MachineData><UGUID>{59B4260D-0610-4319-BFB5-A0AA66D9808C}</UGUID><Version>1.9.0027.0</Version><OS>6.0.6000.2.00010300.0.0.003</OS><Architecture>x32</Architecture><PKey>*****-*****-*****-*****-6CJ97</PKey><PID>89578-OEM-7332157-00211</PID><PIDType>2</PIDType><SID>S-1-5-21-1452431073-894921329-421322938</SID><SYSTEM><Manufacturer>Acer           </Manufacturer><Model>Aspire 4710                    </Model></SYSTEM><BIOS><Manufacturer>Phoenix Technologies LTD</Manufacturer><Version>V1.18          </Version><SMBIOSVersion major="2" minor="4"/><Date>20080221000000.000000+000</Date></BIOS><HWID>E5313507018400FA</HWID><UserLCID>0409</UserLCID><SystemLCID>0409</SystemLCID><TimeZone>Malay Peninsula Standard Time(GMT+08:00)</TimeZone><iJoin>0</iJoin><SBID><stat>3</stat><msppid></msppid><name></name><model></model></SBID><OEM><OEMID>ACRSYS</OEMID><OEMTableID>ACRPRDCT</OEMTableID></OEM><GANotification/></MachineData><Software><Office><Result>102</Result><Products><Product GUID="{91120000-002F-0000-0000-0000000FF1CE}"><LegitResult>100</LegitResult><Name>Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007</Name><Ver>12</Ver><PidType>19</PidType></Product></Products><Applications><App Id="16" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="18" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="1B" Version="12" Result="100"/><App Id="A1" Version="12" Result="100"/></Applications></Office></Software></GenuineResults>  
 
Spsys.log Content: 0x80070002
 
Licensing Data-->
Software licensing service version: 6.0.6000.16509
 
Windows Activation Technologies-->
N/A
 
HWID Data-->
HWID Hash Current: OAAAAAIAAwABAAEAAwABAAAAAgABAAEAJJS4mXcWZNDkTPwfSOQqhg4kBPwIavL0ZHJOGaxWKoU=
 
OEM Activation 1.0 Data-->
N/A
 
OEM Activation 2.0 Data-->
BIOS valid for OA 2.0: yes, but no Windows marker
Windows marker version: N/A
OEMID and OEMTableID Consistent: yes
BIOS Information: 
  ACPI Table Name    OEMID Value    OEMTableID Value
  APIC            INTEL         CALISTGA
  FACP            INTEL         CALISTGA
  HPET            INTEL         CALISTGA
  BOOT            PTLTD         $SBFTBL$
  MCFG            INTEL         CALISTGA
  TCPA            PTLTD         CALISTGA
  SLIC            ACRSYS        ACRPRDCT
  APIC            INTEL         CALISTGA
  SSDT            SataRe        SataAhci
  SSDT            SataRe        SataAhci
  SSDT            SataRe        SataAhci
  SSDT            SataRe        SataAhci

 

[Brink]

The *****-*****-XY9X3-JDXYP-6CJ97 number is the SLP number that you are currently using. You need to change the product key number to be the one on the COA sticker instead, then activate it.

 

[noelcwt]

Hi,

I have tried both options, but it seems that the product key is not working. I got this error : 0xC004F050

I am really not sure if I have misread the product key or what but it seems impossible? I don't really know what is wrong with my product key.

Can I send you a PM of a screen shot of the COA sticker of mine and can you please help double-check that if I have keyed in the wrong product key? (since it's an OEM license I assume it's safe because only my laptop can use it?)

 

[Brink]

Sure, I'll take a look at it.

 

[noelcwt]

Argh, I don't have the authority to pm anyone yet . Think I will just post it here.

I have just attached to this reply.

I tried the to change the product key in system and in cmd but it just won't work. And when I click change product key in system, it will redirect me to the windows activation wizard.

Please have a look and tell me what you see. Thanks!

 

[Brink]

Yep, you would want to use the xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-CTYW9-GBGKT number on your COA sticker like in the boxed in red area below. If it will not activate online, then you might give a phone activation a try.

 

[noelcwt]

I thought Microsoft does not support OEM version of windows through phone activation?

Microsoft no longer provides support for preinstalled OEM (recovery) copies of Vista. If you have one of these, then you must contact the OEM, instead of Microsoft in this tutorial, to activate your OEM Vista. OEM contact information should be included in the documentation that came with your computer or OEM Vista installation CD/DVD package.

Is taking this laptop back to acer is my only choice now? It seems that there is no way this product key is going to work and I don't even know why.

 

[Brink]

A phone activation is worth a try since it's a COA key number.

 

[noelcwt]

The problem is there is no option for me to choose, I mean I don't have the options of ' use the automated phone system to activate'.

Nor the slui.exe 4 working, when I click that, it will re-direct me to the windows activation wizard which only have one option which is to key in the product key, but it clearly won't work.

Any chance that Malaysia don't have phone activation support?

 

[Brink]

Yep, there's a Malaysia phone number available in the list. Which screenshot under what step in the tutorial are you getting when you type in slui.exe 4 in the Run (Windows+R) dialog and press Enter? Make sure all other activation windows are closed 1st though.

 

[noelcwt]

None of the steps available in your tutorial. Here's the screen shot of what I get when I key in slui.exe 4, it just basically brings me to another same wizard which only have one option which is to key in the product key.

 

[Brink]

Give slui.exe 5 a try to see if you get this below to then select Show me other ways to activate, then on Use the automated phone system to call.

 

[noelcwt]

It's the same wizard I get as I posted earlier, no other options are available other than key in the product key. Is it possible to get phone assisted activation without having to go through the wizard?

 

[Brink]

Well, at this point, I'd say it may be time to take it to Acer.

 

[noelcwt]

I guess so, hopefully I will not be charged as I think it's their responsibility to ensure that their COA/OEM licensed windows should work.

 

[Brink]

Agreed. Please let us know how it went and what they found.

 

[NoelDP]

To properly analyse and solve problems with Activation and Validation, we need to see a full copy of the report produced by the MGADiag tool
(download and save to desktop - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012 )
Once saved, run the tool.
Click on the Continue button, which will produce the report.
To copy the report to your response, click on the Copy button in the tool (ignore any error messages at this point), and then paste (using either r-click/Paste, or Ctrl+V ) into your response.
- **in your own thread**, please
Please also state the Version and Edition of Windows quoted on your COA sticker (if you have one) on the case of your machine (or inside the battery compartment), but do NOT quote the Key on the sticker!
How to Tell

(<BG>)

 

[noelcwt]

Hi NoelDP, the MGADiag tool report was posted on page three.

The version and edition of my windows is Windows Vista HmPrem OA (EM)-(SEA) Acer Incorporated

The service center is close on weekends, will bring it there next Monday.

 

[NoelDP]

Sorry - I was obviously even later to the party than I thought
Try this - the Licensing Store may be corrupt.


Recreate the Licensing Store with the correct data.
1) Open an Internet Browser window.
2) Type: %windir%\system32 into the browser address bar.
3) Find the file CMD.exe
4) Right-Click on CMD.exe and select 'Run as Administrator'
5) Type: net stop slsvc (it may ask you if you are sure, select yes)
6) Type: cd %windir%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SoftwareLicensing
7) Type: rename tokens.dat tokens.bar
8) Type: cd %windir%\system32
9) Type: net start slsvc
10) Type: cscript slmgr.vbs -rilc (It may take a long time for this to complete, please be patient)
11) Restart your computer twice.
You may be asked to enter your COA Key and/or Activate. – if asked for the Key, use the one on your COA sticker on the machine’s case (you may need to activate by telephone).

Once complete, run another MGADiag report and post back with the results.