Remove and Delete TimerStop Grace Timer Activation Exploit or Crack

Timer Stop Windows Vista activation exploit is a memory crack that stop the grace period countdown timer and thus allows user to bypass activation requirement to continue using Windows Vista with activate within 30 days ‘free look’ period. Microsoft describes this kind of activation crack as grace timer activation exploit, and recommends users to remove the exploit as it may interfere with Windows normal operation (read: activation).

Users can uninstall or delete and remove the TimerStop (aka StopTime, TimeStop and etc) grace timer activation exploit, as the activation bypass method is now obsolete with the release of KB940510 WGA exploit detector, which can identified the grace timer activation exploit and prompt users for the detected activation exploit, although it won’t remove the crack automatically.

Users can use the following steps to manually remove the TimerStop grace timer activation exploit. Note that if you’re using TimerLock auto patcher to stop activation timer from counting down, use the guide here to uninstall TimerLock based TimerStop driver, as the TimerLock has changed the name of the driver.

The last few steps of the guide will delete WGAER_W WGA genuine information related registry key. If you have not installed KB940510 update, the steps can be skipped and ignored.

1. Locate the TimerStop.sys file in the following folder:

   Drive:\Windows\System32

   Note that Drive represents the drive on which Windows Vista is installed.

2. Delete the TimerStop.sys file.
3. Click Start button, type regedit in the Start Search box, and then click regedit in the Programs list. If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
4. Locate the following registry subkey, and then right-click it:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\TimerStop

5. Click Delete to delete this subkey.
6. Locate the following registry subkey, and then right-click it:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Genuine Advantage\WGAER_W\GenuineInfo

7. Click Delete to delete this subkey.
8. Exit Registry Editor.
9. Restart the computer.

Note that you may need to enable the Show hidden files option, and then disable the Hide Protected Operating System Files option in Folder and Layout Options’ Advanced Settings to view the files required to be deleted. However, before removing or deleting the OEM driver exploit, make sure you have already purchased a license for Vista and has valid product key in order to activate Vista, else your Vista system will be deemed not genuine.