You need tobackup and restorean activation because every time you format and reinstall Windows you need toactivate Windowsagain. This tutorial explains how tobackup and restoreanactivation license of Windows 8 & 8.1. For activation you look for a validMAK key, calling Microsoft or waiting for a KMS server to go online etc. Sometimes when youactivate Windowswith a previous key then you have a problem with activation and get the error message "This key has limit of activation".
But if you want to reinstall Windows and don't want to lose the activation then you cancreate a backup of the activationand then reinstall Windows thenrestore the activation. This activation methodbacks up and restores the Windows 8 & 8.1 activationas well asMicrosoft Office activation.
Method 1: Handy Backup and Restore Activation License of Windows 8 & 8.1(NO software required) This method only works on thesame machine,the same Windows edition.Before activation, the machine hardware should not be changed.
Step 1
Go to ->"C:\Windows\System32\spp\"and COPY to the"store"folder andsave it on another drive. The store folder may be hidden so first enable "Show hidden files and folders".
Image has been scaled down 23% (505x147). Click this bar to view original image (650x189). Click image to open in new window.
Step 2
Now reinstall Windows.The Windows edition must be the same.
Step 3
After reinstalling Windows, open a command prompt asAdministratorand type "slmgr -upk" and press Enter. A message will be shown "Product key successfully uninstalled".
Step 4
Restart your computer insafe mode; for that go to the search box or hold Windows button and press R button then type "msconfig" and press Enter.
Step 5
The System Configuration window will be opened. In this window go to the boot tab and enable "safe boot" then click on "OK".
Image has been scaled down 23% (505x337). Click this bar to view original image (650x433). Click image to open in new window.
Step 6
After restarting Windows inSafe Moderun a command promptasAdministratorand type "net stop sppsvc" to stop the Software Protection Platform service and press Enter. Sometimes you can get a message that it's already stopped and not running.
Step 7
Go to "C:\Windows\System32\spp\" andREPLACEthe current "store" folder with thebacked "store"folder in thestep 1
Step 8
Now restart Windows in normal mode using "msconfig" and open a command prompt as Administrator and type "slmgr.vbs -ato" and press Enter. Your Windows will be activated!
Method 2: Backup and Restore Activation License of Windows 8 & 8.1 using Advanced Tokens Manager
Move the fileAdvanced Tokens Manager v3.5 RC 5.zipto another drive (Different Windows drive) and unzip it. Then runAdvanced Tokens Manager.exe:
Step 3:
Click toActivation Backup
Sorry, the Product Key not match error:
1. The application did not detected the correct Product Key in the registry and you need to enter it manually. 2. Product Key is required for correct Activation Restore, the Product Key is stored on Config.ini file. 3. If the error appears, you need to enter the Product Key manually for a proper restore. 4. Primarily occurs with MAK Product Keys that are hidden from the Registry. 5. Are the last five characters of the real Product Key detected.
All backup data is stored on the root of the application in separate folders.(In the folderAdvanced Tokens Manager v3.5 RC 5)
Step 4:
After reinstalling Windows, run theAdvanced Tokens Manager.exeand click to Restore Activation, done!
Advanced Tokens Manager is a safer application that helps you with the Windows and Office Activation Backup and Restore. Microsoft imposes one limit of activations online and by phone for all licenses on your products. This application is able to make the full backup of all activation data stored on the computer for a trusted restore without damage or modification of the activation system.
WARNING ABOUT WINDOWS 8.1 COMPATIBILITY 1.Windows 8.1is NOT fully supported. All the activation data can be saved, but only those that were activated by Phone will be restored properly. In other words, the Online activated backups can not be restored until now, ONLY if your OS is the Windows 8.1 – Other OS(es) are NOT affected !
2. You canNOTrestore the Windows 8 activation on Windows 8.1. Microsoft was made hard changes on the Windows 8.1 activation system.