Removal of Activation Overlay/Watermark in unactivated RTM. Need Help!

Discussion in 'Windows 8' started by dummekuehe, Aug 7, 2012.

  1. Mrx47

    Mrx47 MDL Addicted

    Apr 6, 2011
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    If you do that, Explorer will Crash after 3 hours.
     
  2. woot332

    woot332 MDL Senior Member

    Feb 18, 2011
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    @chbaldo: no problem, create automated installer if you want.

    @LiveFreeDead: x86 code patched, might be usefull locating the x64 code
    aww.jpg
     
  3. UnknownRE

    UnknownRE MDL Junior Member

    Aug 8, 2012
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    #84 UnknownRE, Aug 10, 2012
    Last edited: Aug 28, 2012

    Attached Files:

  4. dummekuehe

    dummekuehe MDL Senior Member

    Jan 11, 2009
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    just a guess? a joke? or did you try? ;)
     
  5. dummekuehe

    dummekuehe MDL Senior Member

    Jan 11, 2009
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    Did you try this? For how many hours?
    Did you check if it does weird things with memory?

    Thanks for your work.
     
  6. UnknownRE

    UnknownRE MDL Junior Member

    Aug 8, 2012
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    It works for me on both machines
     
  7. UnknownRE

    UnknownRE MDL Junior Member

    Aug 8, 2012
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    just don't post the link as a link and you can post it :)
    FYI : paste this in notepad en put it in the registry :

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\runas]
    @="Take Ownership"
    "NoWorkingDirectory"=""
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\runas\command]
    @="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F"
    "IsolatedCommand"="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F"
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\runas]
    @="Take Ownership"
    "NoWorkingDirectory"=""
    [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\runas\command]
    @="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" /r /d y && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F /t"
    "IsolatedCommand"="cmd.exe /c takeown /f \"%1\" /r /d y && icacls \"%1\" /grant administrators:F /t"
     
  8. DaveMurray

    DaveMurray MDL Junior Member

    Apr 18, 2009
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    one foolish question from me if you don't mind :)

    What will be happen if windows update install updates for that file for example...?
     
  9. DaveMurray

    DaveMurray MDL Junior Member

    Apr 18, 2009
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    #90 DaveMurray, Aug 10, 2012
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2012
    as I expected for the result. The problem is with the patching of system files, you must be there, again and again, doing the same procedure after some updates which may affect the patched files :)

    Another "prob" is the possibility, when updated file which comes with the Windows Update, adding more features, is more stable, adding more security etc. When copying an older file, is a possible security breach. Hackers searching many times in that... areas.

    Anyway, I want to thank from my side, UnknownRE for his work. Thank you, i'll try to use it. Personally, I don't care if the windows will be stay unactivated, just I cant live with the annoying watermark :p

    For the activation ok, I can wait like the rest of us, or maybe buying is the best solution. For now, until windows 8 will be released to the public on October, the watermark is really.... pain on the.... a#2#@#@# :p
     
  10. WinFührer

    WinFührer MDL Novice

    Jun 17, 2011
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    You tested it above than 3 hour?
     
  11. ashoktvm

    ashoktvm MDL Addicted

    Jul 29, 2009
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    after replacing this file. Will it be possible to activate after a KMS server comes online?
     
  12. UnknownRE

    UnknownRE MDL Junior Member

    Aug 8, 2012
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    I tested it for now im using it 3.5 hours or so everything is still working fine
     
  13. dummekuehe

    dummekuehe MDL Senior Member

    Jan 11, 2009
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    shouldn't be a problem
     
  14. Chris123NT

    Chris123NT MDL Expert

    Oct 23, 2010
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    Yes, this file does not affect activation in any way, it just gets rid of the naggy watermark.
     
  15. ashoktvm

    ashoktvm MDL Addicted

    Jul 29, 2009
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    can anybody post the exact steps and path to copy this file.
     
  16. DaveMurray

    DaveMurray MDL Junior Member

    Apr 18, 2009
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    #97 DaveMurray, Aug 10, 2012
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2012
    well, I'm reporting back, according to the UnknownRE file.

    I have take the ownership of the file in C:\Windows\System32. I have rename it, and copy the patched file there. I have kill explorer, and run again explorer from Task Manager. The key watermark disappeared.

    Now... the sad is, after reboot, windows metro apps going crazy... Weather cannot opened at all, others can opened but boing to... the background after some seconds, (they do not close, just is there in background. when you going left to the screen to select them again, the same thing again and again...)

    It seems, the patched file affecting the use of Windows Metro apps. (in my case of course...)

    Can someone have the original x64 file, because after the reboot, I delete it accidentally, and I want it back, to test if... the problem with metro Is by.... this change...

    Update: I was copy the patched file, in the wrong place? for that windows metro apps going crazy? My god... I didn't see other posts where I was have to copy it. Anyway, From System32 someone which may have the file?
     
  17. DaveMurray

    DaveMurray MDL Junior Member

    Apr 18, 2009
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    no i delete original bak file, accidentally after the reboot.
     
  18. Stannieman

    Stannieman MDL Guru

    Sep 4, 2009
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    #99 Stannieman, Aug 10, 2012
    Last edited: Aug 11, 2012
    When you're going beyond patching strings and images in resources anyway and have started to add jump instructions and skip entire routines, why not directly patch the activation checking code?
    If the activation check always returns activated you won't have the watermarks and get a working customization as a surplus. Both are then handled instead of having to fix them separately.

    They might have used different ways of checking activation, but in the end there should be 1 function (or some more who work together) that rules them all. Of other things, like what does the ruling function check and patch those things.

    @ odiebugs: syswow64 contains x86 files. System32 is the usual folder with all the x64 files, but the original name is kept. x86 programs use functions and stuff from the x86 twin files in syswow64.

    EDIT: Lol, now I accidentally switched x64 and x86 myself :rolleyes:
     
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  19. WinFührer

    WinFührer MDL Novice

    Jun 17, 2011
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    #100 WinFührer, Aug 10, 2012
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2012
    "syswow64 contains x64 files"

    WHAT? xD

    syswow64 contains x86 files, for WOW64 emulator
    syswow64 contains ONLY 32-bit libraries and executables