What’s the purpose of this release?
Bypassing the product activation requirement of Microsoft Windows Vista x86.
How does it work?
Microsoft allows large hardware manufacturers (e.g. ASUS, HP, Dell) to ship their products
containing a Windows Vista installation that does NOT require any kind of product activation as this might be considered an unnecessary inconvenience for the end-user.
Instead these so-called ‘Royalty OEMs’ are granted the right to embed certain license information into their hardware products, which can be validated by Windows Vista to make obtaining further activation information (online or by phone) obsolete.
This mechanism is commonly referred to as ‘SLP 2.0′ (‘system-locked pre-installation 2.0′) and consists of the following three key elements:
1. The OEM’s hardware-embedded BIOS ACPI_SLIC information signed by Microsoft.
2. A certificate issued by Microsoft that corresponds to the specific ACPI_SLIC information.
The certificate is an XML file found on the OEM’s installation/recovery media,
ususally called something like ‘oemname.xrm-ms’.
3. A special type of product key that corresponds to the installed edition of Windows Vista.
This key can usually be obtained from some installation script found on the OEM’s
installation/recovery media or directly from a pre-installed OEM system.
If all three elements match Windows Vista’s licensing mechansim considers the given
installation a valid system-locked pre-activated copy (that does not require any
additional product activation procedures).
So the basic concept of the tool at hand is to present any given BIOS ACPI_SLIC information to Windows Vista’s licensing mechanism by means of a device driver.
In combination with a matching product key and OEM certificate this allows for rendering any system practically indistinguishable from a legit pre-activated system shipped by the respective OEM.
How do I use it?
Preliminary hint:
Most operations described below require elevated privileges, so disabling UAC (Run->MSCONFIG.EXE->Tools->Disable UAC) for the time being is recommended, Of course, it can be safely re-enabled after all steps have been performed. Otherwise OEMTOOL.EXE and some SLMGR.VBS operations must be explicitly run with adminstrative privileges.
1. Install the Windows Vista x86 edition of your choice without entering any product key during setup. Basically any Windows Vista x86 installation media will do, regardless if it’s MSDN/Retail/OEM/…, MSDN/Retail are recommended though.
2. Install the emulation driver.
Run OEMTOOL.EXE, select the OEM BIOS information to emulate (ASUS might be a good choice given the fact that it’s the only OEM for which a complete set of product keys is provided 
) and hit the ‘<Install Emulation Driver>’ button.
Alternatively you can just right-click the ROYAL.INF file and chose ‘Install’ from the appearing menu. This only allows for installing the default OEM BIOS information (ASUS) though and is strongly discouraged unless OEMTOOL.EXE fails for some unknown reason.
When prompted about whether to install an unsigned driver, allow it. (For some odd reason Microsoft didn’t wanna sign this one…;))
3. Reboot your machine.
4. Install the OEM certificate matching your OEM selection during driver installation by running
SLMGR.VBS -ilc <OEMNAME>.XRM-MS
(e.g. “SLMGR.VBS -ilc C:\ASUS.XRM-MS” if you chose to install the default driver and extracted the certificate file to C:\)
Note that this operation might take quite a while depending on your system, so be patient.
5. Install an OEM product key matching the installed edition of Windows Vista x86 by running
SLMGR.VBS -ipk <OEM_PRODUCT_KEY>
(e.g. “SLMGR.VBS -ipk 6F2D7-2PCG6-YQQTB-FWK9V-932CC” if you’re running Windows Vista Ultimate using the default emulation driver)
Note that this operation might take quite a while depending on your system, so be patient.
See PKEYS.TXT for a list of OEM product keys published by different OEMs.
6. Run ‘SLMGR.VBS -dlv’ or right-click ‘Computer’ and chose ‘Properties’ to verify your licensing status.
Due to the variety of possible combinations of different earlier Vista activation hacks we’re not gonna provide details on ‘persuading’ existing installations to accept this method.
During our test the general procedure depicted above worked out fine though, i.e. installing the emulation driver, rebooting the machine and then using the officially documented ways of installing a matching OEM certificate and product key should do the trick in all but the most messed up cases.
What’s that ‘<Dump OEM BIOS Information>’ button in OEMTOOL.EXE for?
It dumps the BIOS ACPI_SLIC information of any SLP 2.0-enabled OEM system.
The dump can consecutively be used to emulate (‘clone’) that information on any other system by specifying the ‘Custom’ option. Using this function on a system booted using the emulation driver will give a dump identical to the currently emulated OEM BIOS information, so be sure to uninstall the driver and reboot the source machine first if you intend to dump the actual hardware-embedded OEM BIOS data.
What are all those files for?
- DIFXAPI.DLL - a runtime dll for Microsoft’s DIFx API used by oemtool.exe
- OEMTOOL.EXE - an application for installing/uninstalling the emulation driver and dumping BIOS ACPI_SLIC information from any SLP 2.0-enabled Windows Vista OEM system
- PKEYS.TXT - contains a list of validated OEM product keys
- ROYAL.INF - driver .INF file, can be (ab)used to install the emulation driver in case oemtool.exe fails to perform this task
- ROYAL.SYS - the emulation device driver
- CERTS\ACER.XRM-MS - the certificate that corresponds to the ACPI_SLIC information emulated by the driver when ‘Acer’ has been selected during driver installation
- CERTS\ASUS.XRM-MS - the certificate that corresponds to the ACPI_SLIC information emulated by the driver when ‘ASUS’ has been selected during driver installation
- CERTS\HEWLETT-PACKARD.XRM-MS - the certificate that corresponds to the ACPI_SLIC information emulated by the driver when ‘Hewlett-Packard’ has been selected during driver installation
- CERTS\LENOVO.XRM-MS - the certificate that corresponds to the ACPI_SLIC information emulated by the driver when ‘Lenovo’ has been selected during driver installation
Download the Paradox Crack or Use the auto-activator. Enjoy.
Instructions above are straight out of Paradox’s nfo file. Want help? Post a comment and we will try help you out 
[Comment ID #3273 Will Be Quoted Here]
Need to run it in Command Prompt as an Administrator SLMGR.VBS -ilc C:\ASUS.XRM-MS or you will get an error.
I have an Asus P5N-e SLI moterhboard with Intel Dual Core e6750 and a XFX Geforce 8800GTS. I ALWAYS get BSOD when I try to activate usin g Paradox. Until I activate everything works fine. If I try to gp Safe mode I can that the last line when loading is “CRC DISK.SYS” and then i just stops. PLEASE HELP!
Waht should I do? Anyone have a solution?
Hi everyone, is there an activator out there that can activate VISTA Ultimate on an nforce5 mobo (royal.sys BSOD)? I need the nforce drivers coz im gonna use the ntune software from nvidia.
BTW my Vista is activated, however mobo drivers are not installed just to stay away from BSOD (royal.sys). I Hope there is a new Activator available
Thanks!
mais pour l’activation vista x64
search for this file,(Make Your Windows Genuine – For XP,Server 2003, Vista – iNGEn). lookout it did have a virus attached,my virus software removed the trogan and left the rest intact,took a chance and used it seeing i had 1 day left and was getting the royal.sys BSOD,used this one and even installed the latest Nforce 570 sli drivers and also am current on windows updates.
How does the crack work if the trial expires? I had this installed and had a bad spyware hit. Did an upgrade ontop of itself and now it’s asking for the key again. Can’t install this crack in safemode and can’t get past the activation screens even if I set the clock back a few months.
Ugh
bsod for me also with nforce 4 had to format to fix vista is ok now but i dont have the chipset drivers installed
any other options anyone
Help me please..
I am running a Windows Vista Ultimate. And crack it with Paradox. Everything was fine. I also updated the Vista with SP1. Everything went well too. But just now, a Windows Activation window suddenly showed up and said that the product key is invalid for activation. And it leaves me with 3 choices : buy a new product key; type a different product key; contact microsoft. I have also checked slmgr -dlv and it is written unlicensed. Help me please. I am afraid to turn the computer off now because I am afraid I can’t log on again. Help please.. Sorry for my bad English. Thanks..
First, regards and best wishes to PARADOX team. Really good job. The best idea, the best method and the BEST crack I have ever used.
But, since they release this crack I didn’t heard any further information from them. I hope they are still working on this project, fixing current problems with BSOD and releasing x64 compatible version. But also I’m afraid that Bill Gates used his power and richness to hire professional killers to find and kill all PARADOX members.
When they release this tool, I try it immediately and activation was 100% successful. Shiny blue “ask for genuine Microsoft software” logo appears without problem. I used it on my, 4 years old, no name/brand desktop PC. Configuration is: ASUS A7N8X-X deluxe motherboard with nForce2 chipset, AMD Athlon 2600+, 512 MB Ram, 80 GB Maxtor. Now, I’m studing outside my country and using Acer Aspire 4520 notebook (based on AMD and nVidia). I tried to install Vista from the same DVD and I got BSOD for the first time. Fortunetly, I found a solution. First I guess, but it seems, that my laptop already has Acer’s hardware-embedded BIOS ACPI_SLIC information signed by Microsoft so I don’t need to emulate it using “OEMTool.exe”. I just done step 4 (install OEM certificate) and thats it. I also try to complete step 5 to change the product key to Acer Home Premium: 2TYBW… because during setup I used ASUS Ultimate: 6F2D7… (I thought it wouldn’t work) but I get error. So guys, all of you who owned ASUS, Acer, HP or Lenovo. Your machine is probably SLP 2.0-enabled Windows Vista OEM system. You shouldn’t care about your nForce motherboard. Install Vista using key provided by PARADOX. I think it doesn’t matter which key you are using because I use ASUS key on Acer notebook. Install appropriate certificate and you are done.
AMD x64 X2 3800+ with MSI K9N Neo nForce.
Works great for me.
Does anyone know if SP1 messes it up?
(I´ve seen one yes, but…)
yes sp1 does make a mess…hope paradox team is working for a fix
Ms is on to this they have an update that dissables this. I installed the update by mistake. I rebooted windows is still activated… maybe they can’t actually do anything, just scare.
Hi. I used the paradox crack before and it worked perfectly, software license status said “licensed”. It was okay for a while then, when I checked again, the countdown restarted. I kept autoupdate off and never installed any updates. Now, I can’t get the crack to work again. Can anyone help, please? Thanks.
[Comment ID #3273 Will Be Quoted Here]
I got that same Error! You need to make sure that the Certificate (located in the CERTS Folder) is in the C:\ Directory, in order for it to work correctly. So if you downloaded the files, and the ASUS.XMS file isn’t in the C:\ Directory, then that is why you are getting that error!
Hope this helps!
Thanks Paradox!!!
Ok, I have tried several diff cracks, I have had no issue cracking atleast 3 other Vista systems, I have an HP V6000 with NForce Drivers, I don’t get a BSOD but it does not activate, anyone got a fix?
whew! finally! thank you almir_me.
i have been trying to crack my acer 4520 for quite some time now. i have tried every cracks out there and nothing works for me, timerstop, change system date to 2099, etc. i’ve even used this crack before, for like 4 times already and all i’m getting is bluescreen.. but now, hell yeah! your method works! i never thought its that simple 
tnxtnx..
note: i nearly format my laptop and switched back to windows xp. if i had, it would be my 5th time reformatting my 6 months old laptop
fortunately, i just gave it one last shot. oooops! its passed midnight. gotta sleep.. tnx again almir! i can kiss you right now, dude! lol..
hehe microsoft is in trouble now but this wont last long give it another year or so lol
I CANT OPE THE OEMTOOL.EXE PLSS HELP ME!
hello!
Hello I have a slight problem… Like u I have installed vista on my dell dimension 2300 and can’t find a video driver for it! I was just wondering what driver you used or were I can get one?!?
Thanks,
Dicko
[Comment ID #7170 Will Be Quoted Here]
hi I’m running vista on my dell dimension 2300 as well do u know were I can get a compatible vista video driver….what did u use!?!? Thanks
[Comment ID #14353 Will Be Quoted Here]
I just installed Vista Ultimate with SP1 on my Acer 5100 laptop and used this crack. It now says Windows Activated in Computer Properties. Seems to be working fine !
I got a recommendation for all the ones that doesn’t know your drivers you can install Everest Ultimate and the program will tell you the driver name, then you can go to http://www.driverguide.com/ there you will find any driver that you need for anything or try looking for the manufacture driver for example; Intel i946GZ Video adapter go to intel.com and that’s it… i hope i can help anyone… by the way great job PARADOX Team i am a big fan of yours… Great Job!!
By the way I hope that this patch works in SP1 cause I am kind of nervous to try it… If anyone knows you can send me an e-mail… [email protected]… also maybe i can solve some problems…
Tried to find the file and it was removed. Where can I locate the files referenced?
not working here.. I had it installed for more than a year.. I got sp1 before trying this…
[Comment ID #6310 Will Be Quoted Here]
Install Nvidia drivers using custom and not auto, typical or default. Select only the graphics card and Ethernet and you’ll be fine. Dont install the rest.
Does anyone know if installing SP1 on nvidia boards install Nvidia PCI update? And does it affect royal.sys after installing SP1?
[Comment ID #17024 Will Be Quoted Here]
Uninstall all Nvidia drivers including graphics and ethernet using Programs and Features on Control Panel. Reboot and BSOD is gone. Now reinstall just the graphics and ethernet. Reboot. No need to rename royal.sys workaround.
[Comment ID #21258 Will Be Quoted Here]
Ntune or now commonly called Nvidia System Tools don’t affect the drivers that cause that PCI update error. You can go ahead and try it out, I was similarly hesitant to use it but it’s royal.sys error free.
hi i installed windows vista home premium in my HP520 with SP1 but non of the activation crack for SP1 worked…but i installed the same copy in my intel based home pc but the activation for SP1 was successful….the same crack… but not for my laptop….is there any prob with my laps BIOS…
help me ..
this paradox doesn’t work for my dell laptop
Vista sucks, windows sucks. Microsoft sucks anyway! Use mac instead because vista sucs
Mac has more quality
I can’t download the file, where did you download the crack beside this site? Also Why can’t I install XP on a Vista computer an error appears during setup of XP, huhu
Putang ina…
How about using an operating system that not only doesn’t treat the user like a criminal, but actually encourages copying and sharing?
How about an operating system that does the above but also offers significantly more power, flexibility, stability, and performance?
Stop wasting your damn time with Windows and use Linux.
I ahve to change a my mobo and I have vista activated with a dell simulated BIOS. If I install the new mobo drivers while still running on the old mobo and then I install the new mobo and boot, will the old hack still work?
Some people claim that the program leads to errors. Which could be true. I know that Dell Computers ship with a Vista version which you can install on whatever system. The Vista version on the DVD is somehow pre-activated with some sort of company key. The key is even different from that one stated on the label on the computer.
People astound me…. I own two copies of Vista Home Premium, one copy of XP Pro and two copies of XP home but All of my five boxes run hacked Windows versions (4 x Vista Ultimate 64Bit & 1 x Windows Home Server). It has nothing to do with affordability, I personally like to think that I should pay for my OS’s so that Software manufacturers can at least continue producing stuff for people to hack!! Again, I own a legitimate copy of Windows for each of my boxes that are all retail versions, it’s just the right thing to do. If you don’t feel it nescessary to purchase them then don’t but before you decide to install a hacked copy of Windows, maybe you should try a free OS; Linux types for instance, I’ve also used many different flavors of Linux with great success.
The above suggested Activation bypass shouldn’t even be considered a hack being that it is standard practice by OEM builders, instead look at it like this; I own a legit copy of Vista that I have already had installed and activated, now I need to replace my Hard Drive but can’t be bothered to go through the nightmare of re activation (Remember the days of XP activation, the internet automatic activation never took so you had to call and feel like a criminal the entire time you were trying to get your legit XP activated, what a pain), Vista has yet to give me this same type of trouble the 10 or so times I have reinstalled a legit copy of Vista Home Premium but the memories are still there.
As for the folks that claim Vista’s 64Bit editions are garbage or problem filled, I urge you to give it a go now, there have been great strides to make it more useable in the past year or so and I have yet to run into any major problems on any of my machines; three of them being at least three years old. The hardware support is there by way of drivers and 64Bit even offers the flexibility to install and run 32Bit applications without fail
does anyone have a product key for Vista Ultimate? My system doesnt like mine…
can any body please send me the serial no of the vista please please…………..
Vista is an excellent OS noobs.. it runs very fast and super smooth on my system:
AMD 64 X2 dual core 5600+ , (4 sticks x1GB) 4GB DDR2 800 dual channel RAM, 500GB Seagate hard disk, nvidia 9600GT video card..
you just don’t really know how to use vista and how to setup your rig to be able to run at an excellent speed!!! I’m using vista ultimate 32bit.. I’m only using 2GB of RAM before but vista runs great with only 2GB of RAM..
2WP98-KHTH2-KC7KG-4YR37-H8PHC
Working Product Key for Vista Home
you wouldn’t happen to have a Vista Home Premium product key would you? <3<3<3
There’s a way to reset the password and it doesn’t involve reformatting and reinstalling Windows.
The program that I recommend is the Windows Password Key 8.0, it is very easy to create a
recovery disk that you can use on any Windows PC. It works perfectly to reset any local user account to a blank password. Just an easy to use bootable CD/DVD . It can also be used on a USB Flash Drive. http://www.lostwindowspassword.com/
[Comment ID #1498 Will Be Quoted Here]
You guys rule!!!!!!!
Download the Paradox Crack or Use the auto-activator
provided links are not working ………….files not available ……..so boring………
Hey guys, Praveen gave a Vista Home product key, but it’s not a Vista Home Premium product key. Therefore it won’t work on mine. Anyone want to help a sister out and give a working product key?? ^_^
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