Windows vista activation 2022?

[BOB-101]

Hi I have just put vista back on my only laptop which originally had it on it but I unistalled to do something it I have now put it back on using a usb stick but the issue I now have is it needs activation and I have tried putting in the product key because it is on the bottom of the laptop but it keeps coming up with an error and I have tried the automated phone system but it seems to be for windows 10 only. So does anyone know how I can activate my windows vista

 

[lmacri]

Hi BOB-101:

As far as I know the automated phone activation method using slui4.exe as instructed in Brink's tutorial How to Activate Vista Normally and by Phone Activation (see Step Two / Option Two) should still work. Note that Step # 9 of Step Two / Option Two states:

9. If Automated Service is Unsuccessful

If the activation service informs you that it was unsuccessful and cannot help you with activation, then STAY ON THE LINE and your call will be transferred to an activation operator who will assist you in activating your copy of Vista. The operator will give you the set of Confirmation ID numbers if they agree your copy of Vista is legitimate.

NOTE: Just explain to the operator your situation and what you did to require activation. (EX: hardware upgrade, installed Vista on a new computer after uninstalling it from the old one, etc...).

I haven't tried this method myself lately but I know of a few people who have successfully used this slui4.exe method in the past few months to re-activate their Vista operating system after a clean reinstall.

Just be aware that Microsoft deactivated the Windows Update server for Win XP and Vista on 03-Aug-2020 - see the Microsoft support article Windows Update SHA-1 Based Endpoints Discontinued for Older Windows Devices for more information about the typical errors Win XP and Vista users will typically see when they run Windows Update after this date. If you need to patch your re-install VIsta OS back to end of support (11-Apr-2017) see the discussion in skeezix's Feb 2022 thread WinVista HomePremium-X86 (SP1) Reinstallation Question about using the Dism++ utility to patch Vista SP2 with any missing security updates prior to end of support.
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32-bit Vista Home Premium SP2 * Firefox ESR v52.9.0 * Malwarebytes Premium v3.5.1.2522-1.0.365 * MS Office 2003 Professional SP3
HP Pavilion dv6835ca, Intel Core2Duo T5550 @ 1.83 GHz, 3 GB RAM, 256 GB WD SATA HDD, NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
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Dell Inspiron 5584 * 64-bit Win 10 Pro v21H2 build 19044.1826 * Firefox v103.0.1 * Microsoft Defender v4.18.2205.7-1.1.19400.3 * Malwarebytes Premium v4.5.12.204-1.0.1725 * Macrium Reflect Free v8.0.6867 * MS Office 2019 Home and Business Version 2206 (Build 15330.20264 Click-to-Run)

 

[SIW2]

@BOB-101

What is the exact machine? Check for a slic table with rweverything

Click ACPI then the slic tab

RWEverything – Read & Write Everything