RemoveWAT and Windows Seven SP1

Disclaimer: your mileage may very well vary.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purpose only.


Windows 7 SP1 has been out for a few days. I wanted to try it so I downloaded the full 2gb iso image with the complete 32/64 bit Service Pack. It turned out that I tested it  on a 64 bit Windows Ultimate PC, which had Hazar's RemoveWat installed (and not a problem with it for months and months). The dreaded KB971033 was not installed.


In this scenario, SP1 installed without a hitch. On rebooting:


- KB971033 was installed
- Windows showed the 30 days to activation warning


Actually, KB971033 seemed to be installed on another reboot, this method to remove it worked only later. Trying to reapply RemoveWAT (2.2.6) had these quaint results:


- KB971033 was reinstalled!
- Windows still showed the 30 days to activation warning


The activation process in itself seemed not work (SLUI.EXE reported a problem).


Trying Windows Loader 1.9.7 by Daz (for diagnostics) reported a 'another crack installed, uninstall it'.


RemoveWat 2.2.6 wasn't unable to actually uninstall it. I had to dig out 'RemoveWAT 2.1', presumably the exact RemoveWat that was installed in the first place to revert Windows (with SP1 installed) to an 'untouched trial' according to Daz's Loader.


With this, it is possible to apply a legit license to the installation (or apply Windows Loader 1.9.7 and then remove KB971033 for good with:


dism /online /remove-package /PackageName:Microsoft-Windows-Security-WindowsActivationTechnologies-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~7.1.7600.16395


from an elevated command prompt and live a life of crime).