unlocking registration key

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lau
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Lau

With registration of a program that I got through internet I received a
register key to make the use of the program possible. After clicking on it I
got the message that Vista would not allow opening it since it extension .reg
is considered a possible risk. I have been using the program with WindowsXP
though without any problems. How do I unlock this key? I have tried the
program Unlocker, but without succes.
 
So, you obtained an illegal copy of a program and the reg hack to make it
work is not functioning. Is that correct?

No legally purchased program makes you hack the registry to enable the
programs operation. All registry changes are taken care of during the
install procedure.

Maybe it is time you purchased the program.
 
In message <[email protected]> "Richard Urban"
No legally purchased program makes you hack the registry to enable the
programs operation.
Click to expand...

A swing and a miss, there are several out there that distribute a reg
file to handle the registration.

WinRAR is the most obvious I can think of.
 
In 20 years I have never run across a legitimate program distribution that
was distributed as a WinRah file. Hacked programs (illegal) - yes!

The programs I acquired (purchased) either had a setup.exe file that started
the install where you put in the install key at the requested time, OR, I
just unpacked the files into a folder of MY creation and ran the program
(free - without any reg hack).

I would certainly like a download link to one of the programs you are
talking about so I can see for myself, if it isn't too much trouble.
 
A Registration Key for a Program will normally be obtained/sent to you by
email.
Then you copy and paste it into the Program.
Vista accepts that.
 
In message <[email protected]> Lau
With registration of a program that I got through internet I received a
register key to make the use of the program possible. After clicking on it I
got the message that Vista would not allow opening it since it extension .reg
is considered a possible risk. I have been using the program with WindowsXP
though without any problems. How do I unlock this key? I have tried the
program Unlocker, but without succes.
Click to expand...

You should be able to use the .reg file even though it's considered a
security risk, but you'll need to authorize it to run as an
administrator, as well as confirm that you trust the file.
 
In message <[email protected]> "Richard Urban"
In 20 years I have never run across a legitimate program distribution that
was distributed as a WinRah file. Hacked programs (illegal) - yes!

The programs I acquired (purchased) either had a setup.exe file that started
the install where you put in the install key at the requested time, OR, I
just unpacked the files into a folder of MY creation and ran the program
(free - without any reg hack).

I would certainly like a download link to one of the programs you are
talking about so I can see for myself, if it isn't too much trouble.
Click to expand...

You misunderstand -- WinRAR was the example. http://www.rarlabs.com/

Older versions came out with a .reg file, newer registrations come out
with a .key file inside a specially coded .RAR, the key is actually a
..reg file internally, but WinRAR recognizes the .key version and
attempts to register itself based on the specially coded .RAR.

There is absolutely no way to enter any sort of registration code into
the program directly, nor is the registered user release any different
then the trial release (in other words, registered users grab the latest
trial from the website to re-install or upgrade)

Depending on your security settings and version, this self-registration
based on a RAR'd .key file may or may not succeed as it's done on a
per-machine basis rather then per-user basis.

I had another package that was similar, some MP3 tagger back in the day
when there weren't any decent open source solutions, although the
company has long since gone under. I've still got the .reg file
somewhere.

I can't think of anything else, but I don't tend to register much
commercial software, I prefer finding an open source alternative if
possible or a free version then donating the cost of the commercial
package to the O/S or free product instead.

It's not particularly common, but it's not an automatic sign of
something amiss.
 
DevilsPGD said:
newer registrations come out
with a .key file inside a specially coded .RAR, the key is actually a
.reg file internally, but WinRAR recognizes the .key version and
attempts to register itself based on the specially coded .RAR.
Click to expand...

You say "WinRAR recognizes"; in other words, registration is accomplished by
executing WinRAR. The details of what is done internally is not important.
 
I receiced the .reg file in the regular way from the manufacturer of the
software some 6 years ago. As told by this manufacturer, I just doubleclicked
on the file and the the software could be used. I have done this again when I
got a new machine with WindowsXP. Now I bought another PC, this time with
Vista preinstalled on it. to which I want to transfer the software. But with
Vista this turns out to be impossible. Vista just refuses to execute the .reg
file since it considers it a threat. You said that this problem could be
circumvented. But how can I do this?
 
Sorry I don't know a for sure answer, but have you tried opening the
registry editor and importing the reg file?
 
I have tried to read the content of the file by changing the extension by
..prn, but the content makes no sense for introducing something in regedit.
 
I have tried to read the content of the file by changing the extension by
.prn, but the content makes no sense for introducing something in regedit.
Click to expand...

What is the actual extension of the file? If it is truly a .reg file then
it will open in Notepad if you right-click it and choose open. Again, if it
is a .reg file, the default action (noted in bold when you right-click it)
will be Merge.
 
he actual extension is .reg. If I open it the way you said I keep getting the
message from Vista that it will not open the file since it considers it
unsafe.
 
Vista refuses to open the .reg file. It says that it considers it
potentially dangerous. But I know for sure that it is not dangerous at all. I
have used it for many years in WindowsXP without any problems. Vista seems to
be made for dummies who do not know how to protect themselves against
unwanted intruders.
In order to get some idea on the content of the file I have changed the
extension to .prn. The text that then appears is like
"Key"="0lCz1kz1oiITB88gPE2mBMg+DkeHUH etc.. .To me this does not look like a
text for the register. Or do you think it does? Where should it then be
located in the register?
I could ask the manufacturer of the software to get me a new registration
key that will be accepted by Vista. But in some way I object to the way Vista
is restricting the freedom of computer users. It considers us all dummies.
 
In message <[email protected]> "Sam Hobbs"
You say "WinRAR recognizes"; in other words, registration is accomplished by
executing WinRAR. The details of what is done internally is not important.
Click to expand...

If you buy a registration key today, then yes. My first purchase was
just a .REG file that had to be manually installed, and this is still
the copy I use right to this day.

My second purchase is for my work machine, it included the newer
specially coded RAR file which WinRAR recognizes -- However, this only
works in some cases, not all, depending on your machine's security
settings.
 
In message <[email protected]> Lau
I receiced the .reg file in the regular way from the manufacturer of the
software some 6 years ago. As told by this manufacturer, I just doubleclicked
on the file and the the software could be used. I have done this again when I
got a new machine with WindowsXP. Now I bought another PC, this time with
Vista preinstalled on it. to which I want to transfer the software. But with
Vista this turns out to be impossible. Vista just refuses to execute the .reg
file since it considers it a threat. You said that this problem could be
circumvented. But how can I do this?
Click to expand...

In my case, when I attempt to import a .reg I get a UAC prompt which I
confirm, then a warning from regedit that the file might be harmful,
which I also confirm, and at this point the changes are made.

Another option might be to run "Regedit" first, then go to File -->
Import, this might give some more useful clues.
 
Lau, does it still bring up the error message if you right click on it and
select 'run as administrator' from the drop down list?

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
Lau said:
I receiced the .reg file in the regular way from the manufacturer of the
software some 6 years ago. As told by this manufacturer, I just doubleclicked
on the file and the the software could be used. I have done this again when I
got a new machine with WindowsXP. Now I bought another PC, this time with
Vista preinstalled on it. to which I want to transfer the software. But with
Vista this turns out to be impossible.
Click to expand...


Have you considered the very real possibility that the application in
question simply isn't Vista-compatible, and that no amount of tinkering
will make it work? What did the software manufacturer's technical
support have to say when you asked them how to port their product to an
OS for which it was not designed?

Vista just refuses to execute the .reg
file since it considers it a threat.
Click to expand...


And possibly that software, particularly if incompatible with Vista,
would be a "threat" to the stability of a Vista system.

You said that this problem could be
circumvented. But how can I do this?
Click to expand...


If the File truly is a Vista-compatible registry file, simply open
Regedit.exe with an administrative account, select File > Import, and
select the desired *.reg file. (Mind you, if this isn't a
Vista-compatible file, then you may do untold damage to your system; be
sure to back up all of your data, as well as the the registry, and
create a restore point before proceeding.)


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
Lau said:
Vista refuses to open the .reg file. It says that it considers it
potentially dangerous. But I know for sure that it is not dangerous at all. I
have used it for many years in WindowsXP without any problems.
Click to expand...


The fact that it worked on WinXP is absolutely *NO* reason to believe
that it would work on Vista. They're two _different_ operating systems.

Vista seems to
be made for dummies who do not know how to protect themselves against
unwanted intruders.
Click to expand...


Perhaps, but then, that is what exactly what the overwhelming majority
of Microsoft's target customer base is.

In order to get some idea on the content of the file I have changed the
extension to .prn. The text that then appears is like
"Key"="0lCz1kz1oiITB88gPE2mBMg+DkeHUH etc.. .To me this does not look like a
text for the register. Or do you think it does? Where should it then be
located in the register?
Click to expand...


Who can say? If you'd simply open the file with a plain text editor,
such as Notepad, as you've already been advised to do, someone should be
able to help.

I could ask the manufacturer of the software to get me a new registration
key that will be accepted by Vista.
Click to expand...


While you're at it, why not ask them if their product is even
Vista-compatible, to start with? (Had you taken this elementary and
obvious step this first, you probably wouldn't have even had a problem
to post, you know.)

But in some way I object to the way Vista
is restricting the freedom of computer users.
Click to expand...


How does preventing the installation of incompatible and possibly
damaging software "restrict the freedom of computer users?" If Vista
had permitted the installation of potentially harmful software that then
tanked your system, you'd just be whining that Microsoft doesn't do
enough to protect your system and data.

It considers us all dummies.
Click to expand...

In this case, I'd have to say that you're proof of concept.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
 
If what you show as being the text within the file, that file would not have
even worked under Windows XP. That file only shows a program key that looks
like it manually has to be entered into the registry in the requisite
position.

What you show is not a .reg file. The following text is from a .reg file
that hides the delete entry from the recycle bin (courtesy of
www.winHelponline). Note the following format:

**************************************************

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

;Hides the "Delete" context menu entry for Windows Vista Recycle bin
;Replaces the "Delete" entry with "Search..." option
;Created on Feb 14,2007
;© 2007 Ramesh Srinivasan
;http://www.winhelponline.com

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\shell\Delete]
"Description"="Overrides the \"Delete\" option"
@="Search..."

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\shell\Delete\command]
@=hex(2):25,00,77,00,69,00,6e,00,64,00,69,00,72,00,25,00,5c,00,65,00,78,00,70,\
00,6c,00,6f,00,72,00,65,00,72,00,2e,00,65,00,78,00,65,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\shell\Delete\ddeexec]
@="[FindFolder(\\\"%l\\\", %I)]"
"NoActivateHandler"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\shell\Delete\ddeexec\Application]
@="Folders"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{645FF040-5081-101B-9F08-00AA002F954E}\shell\Delete\ddeexec\topic]
@="AppProperties"

*************************************************

When you run the above .reg file all the information stipulated is
automatically entered in the registry in the requisite areas. What you show
in your file will not do this.

What you show is ***Key"="0lCz1kz1oiITB88gPE2mBMg+DkeHUH***. That looks like
a program key and you have to figure out what to do with it and where to
place it so the program runs.

Time to contact the programs author for assistance.

But you say that you have already run this key under Windows 98 (6 years
ago) and again under Windows XP.

HOW?
 
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