Windows 8 Developer Preview (Build 8102) Expiration Date

Windows 8 expiration date


Like many of the geeks out there I downloaded the Windows 8 Developer Preview last week so that I could play around with it. There is a watermark on the desktop just like there always is for preview releases of Windows, but Microsoft doesn’t put the date on the watermark indicating when the build expires.

When Microsoft released this Developer Preview of Windows 8 they said that there is no activation or key needed to get it working, and that is true. As you can see in the screenshot above my copy shows that it was activated, but looking a little further into the OS reveals that it will still expire on March 11th, 2012.

What happens when March 12th sneaks up on you? Hopefully at that point Microsoft will be at least on the Beta and will have an extended expiration date, but if you continue running the Developer Preview build it will deactivate itself. Any attempt to try and activate the system will result in a “Windows is not activated” message, and your computer will begin restarting every two hours:

Windows is not activated

I’m sure some of the hackers out there will come out with ways to remove this timebomb, but I’m skeptical that anyone would want to continue using such an early build past March 2012 anyway.

Windows 8 build I’m referencing in this article: 8102.winmain_win8m3.110830-1739

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September 20th, 2011 Written by
  1. NichelSeptember 25, 2011 at 8:53 pm

    Well i didn’t get this expiration UI yet, The tiles don’t have a way to get out as i can see, the programs are missing don’t know why. The ~windows button for tiles is cool but the app needs to go and the explorer bar below looks too bold, someone needs make it small!

    Reply
  2. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2012 at 9:59 am

    I’m using time bomb for build 7850. 100% working.

    Reply
  3. rohanFebruary 16, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    I’ve build 8102. how can I remove watermark from it?

    Reply
  4. DrewMarch 21, 2012 at 11:42 am

    Hey guys, when I downloaded I didn’t keep a backup of windows 7. Am I screwed or is there some way to get it back when the trail is done. Thanks

    Reply
    • JohnApril 22, 2012 at 8:29 am

      yes you are screwed! i made the same mistake as you. the only way to do it is to back up your pc and format it or buy windows 7 again and reinstall it……good luck

  5. omarMarch 28, 2012 at 11:23 am

    hey guys any one with a solution coz ma comp restarts every 1hr? and it sucks

    Reply
  6. pinkfloydApril 15, 2012 at 7:14 am

    hey guys i find something !!!!
    jast run cmd : run as administrator
    and type
    slmgr.vbs -ipk 6RH4V-HNTWC-JQKG8-RFR3R-36498
    slmgr.vbs -ato
    Windows 8 Developer Preview (Build 8102) actived !!!
    sorry my bad english !
    work for my !
    or type on notepad and save x.bat and run as administrator.
    good luck

    Reply