- Oct 23, 2012
- 12,527
How to backup and restore your activation in a few easy steps in case you have to reinstall Windows.
Before starting please not the following:
Users should remember that any changes in machine’s Hardware and Software are not allowed whatsoever.
Users can't activate one edition of Windows 8 thinking you can use the backup for another edition later. The activation is only applicable to your specific hardware and OS edition.
Users first have to re-install windows and then install their drivers first and then apply restoration method of Windows 8 Activation. You must install drivers before the restoration of Windows 8 Activation Genuine Key.
If you want to check the status of Windows 8 Activation before and after, than you can use Volume Activation Management Tool 2.0 from Microsoft available here.
Step 1: Go to C:\Windows\System32\spp\ and backup the Store folder as this turned out to be the only folder you need to make backup of.
Note:
The store folder might be hidden, open up Folder options from Control panel and choose View tab, select Show hidden files and folders + uncheck Hide protected system files. You must verify that the store folder contains following files and folders:
1 file named data.dat which is hidden
1 file named tokens.dat which is visible
1 folder named cache containing a file named cache.dat
Step 2: Now Re-install Windows
Step 3: After Windows is re-installed I suggest running a new Command Prompt as Administrator where you need to type in slmgr -upk to uninstall the key so the status changes to Unlicensed
Step 4: After step 3 you need to reboot in Safe mode and easiest way is by using msconfig via Run. Choose the Boot tab and then Safe boot-Minimal, apply and restart when prompted
Step 5: After the PC has rebooted in Safe mode open a new Command Prompt as Administrator and type net stop sppsvc to stop the Software Protection Platform service (sometimes you can get a message that it's already stopped and not running)
Step 6: Go to C:\Windows\System32\spp\ and replace the current store folder with the backed up one (just copy the folder and paste over the old one replacing the files altogether)
Step 7: Go to Run and use msconfig and choose Normal boot under General tab this time, apply and click restart when prompted
Step 8: When restarted you can see that the watermarks are gone and by checking the usual slmgr -dli/dlv/xpr commands in Command Prompt you'll see that it worked and you're activated + by checking the Volume Activation Management Tool 2.0 you'll see License Status: License renewed and Genuine Status: Genuine.
There is a backup and restore tool that is out which requires no restart,no boot in safe mode and has full support for phone activation restore,{means no need to call again}
Adavance Tokens Manager v3.5 RC 2 [2012/11/20]
Can be downloaded from the link below at your own risk
Advanced Tokens Manager - The Activation Backup Solution
Latest Hashes for Advanced Tokens Manager.exe
CRC32: C8BE87FA
MD5: 7C77542466213046C3B30DDBBF5EFB39
SHA-1: 5C2FE3CF76BA0BBF3CEB8A58B5E3C08A018D5057
100% Clean with KIS & MBAM
VirusTotal Results
Before starting please not the following:
Users should remember that any changes in machine’s Hardware and Software are not allowed whatsoever.
Users can't activate one edition of Windows 8 thinking you can use the backup for another edition later. The activation is only applicable to your specific hardware and OS edition.
Users first have to re-install windows and then install their drivers first and then apply restoration method of Windows 8 Activation. You must install drivers before the restoration of Windows 8 Activation Genuine Key.
If you want to check the status of Windows 8 Activation before and after, than you can use Volume Activation Management Tool 2.0 from Microsoft available here.
Step 1: Go to C:\Windows\System32\spp\ and backup the Store folder as this turned out to be the only folder you need to make backup of.
Note:
The store folder might be hidden, open up Folder options from Control panel and choose View tab, select Show hidden files and folders + uncheck Hide protected system files. You must verify that the store folder contains following files and folders:
1 file named data.dat which is hidden
1 file named tokens.dat which is visible
1 folder named cache containing a file named cache.dat
Step 2: Now Re-install Windows
Step 3: After Windows is re-installed I suggest running a new Command Prompt as Administrator where you need to type in slmgr -upk to uninstall the key so the status changes to Unlicensed
Step 4: After step 3 you need to reboot in Safe mode and easiest way is by using msconfig via Run. Choose the Boot tab and then Safe boot-Minimal, apply and restart when prompted
Step 5: After the PC has rebooted in Safe mode open a new Command Prompt as Administrator and type net stop sppsvc to stop the Software Protection Platform service (sometimes you can get a message that it's already stopped and not running)
Step 6: Go to C:\Windows\System32\spp\ and replace the current store folder with the backed up one (just copy the folder and paste over the old one replacing the files altogether)
Step 7: Go to Run and use msconfig and choose Normal boot under General tab this time, apply and click restart when prompted
Step 8: When restarted you can see that the watermarks are gone and by checking the usual slmgr -dli/dlv/xpr commands in Command Prompt you'll see that it worked and you're activated + by checking the Volume Activation Management Tool 2.0 you'll see License Status: License renewed and Genuine Status: Genuine.
There is a backup and restore tool that is out which requires no restart,no boot in safe mode and has full support for phone activation restore,{means no need to call again}
Adavance Tokens Manager v3.5 RC 2 [2012/11/20]
Can be downloaded from the link below at your own risk
Advanced Tokens Manager - The Activation Backup Solution
Latest Hashes for Advanced Tokens Manager.exe
CRC32: C8BE87FA
MD5: 7C77542466213046C3B30DDBBF5EFB39
SHA-1: 5C2FE3CF76BA0BBF3CEB8A58B5E3C08A018D5057
100% Clean with KIS & MBAM
VirusTotal Results
