[German]Within the blog post I will cover a question, which was brought to me a while ago by a blog reader. What happens to the cyclic license check (genuine check) in Windows 7 if the machine is running without Internet?
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On January 14, 2020 the extended support of Windows 7 SP1 by Microsoft expires. Then there will be no more new security updates available via Windows Update. If you are still dependent on Windows 7, you could cut off your Internet connection and run your software without Internet access. But in this scenario the question arises whether Windows 7 will stop its service at some point because the cyclic license check (Windows Genuine Check) can then no longer be performed.
A reader inquiry
I confess, I haven't thought about the question of a license exam yet. But a blog reader wrote to me many months ago about the subject.
Windows 7 PC without Internet – License check?
the upcoming end of support of Windows 7 raises the question for me (certainly also other readers), can I use a Windows 7 PC (or even multiple, as in my case) permanently in a in an isolated environment, so WITHOUT an Internet connection?
Background is, I use software, which mostly only runs under Windows.
is executable and performance-dependent, such as a DAW with many music libraries.In my case, I use 2 desktop PCs (Win7 Pro x64) for different
productive tasks. One for music production only, the other for 3D, graphics and video editing. Other computers, also Win 7, for various other "normal" tasks.These two productive PCs run without issues and the installed software was expensive, so there was no reason to change anything, not even after the end of support!
[…]
After the end of Windows 7 support, I would like to continue using the two productive computers in the same way, but disconnected from the network, i.e. isolated from each other.
Now, however, the cyclic Windows license check (genuine check) comes into play! Are there any other possibilities besides MAK & KMS?
During my research I unfortunately only found something about Microsoft's MAK and KMS. (Must read me in this regard still)Meanwhile, I thought I'd ask you this question, maybe a topic for your blog? With my neighbors I have already had many a discussion about the end of Win7 support. Surprisingly, I often heard the answer, "…just pull the network cable and you're done…"! But it's not that trivial!
This outlines what is bothering the blog reader. Does Windows 7 SP1 stop operating when there is no longer a cyclic license check?
Ask the Internet
I searched the Internet and found this Microsoft forum post addressing the same question of a user in 2013.
Is it possible to disable Windows 7 Validation on a standalone PC?
I'd like to configure Windows 7 on a standalone PC that will be used in an industrial environment and won't be connected to the Internet (or any network). The Windows 7 installation will be activated in the usual way, but once the application software has been installed, the PC will be "locked down" and the configuration will be frozen.
Is it possible to disable Windows 7 Validation so that the PC doesn't attempt to contact Microsoft every 90 days? What happens if the PC is unable to contact Microsoft? According to the Genuine Microsoft software privacy statement, "these tools are designed to be a permanent part of the Microsoft software", so it's not clear if they can be disabled without causing problems – hence, my question.
He wants to run a Windows 7 system in an industrial environment without an Internet connection and is worried that the 90-day license check (Genuine Check) will cause issues. The background is that Windows 7 performs a license (genuine) check cyclically. If this cannot be confirmed, that Windows 7 is genuine, it goes into a reduced notification mode in which a black background appears with the message that Windows 7 is not genuine/not activated. And after some time, the system starts rebooting every hour. Of course, this would be the end of the Windows 7 system. However, there is a clear statement in the Microsoft forum:
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Windows 7 will only perform a validation check if it senses an activate internet or network connection. If none exists, there will be no check.
And a 2nd poster wrote:
Is it possible to disable Windows 7 Validation so that the PC doesn't attempt to contact Microsoft every 90 days – the WAT update kb971033 is what contacts Microsoft every 90 days. it is an optional update so you can uninstall it. But as Cary says, if there is no internet connection there is no check.
Microsoft's document About Genuine Windows describes also the genuine check. The document says for validation check:
Validation is an online process. It verifies that your copy of Windows is genuine and that critical Windows licensing files haven't been damaged, deleted, or removed. It takes only a few moments and lets Microsoft create a match between your PC's hardware profile and your 25-character product key or digital entitlement.
Your copy of Windows may need to be validated before you can get downloads and the updates which are reserved for PCs that are running genuine Windows. Windows might also prompt you to run genuine validation if activation isn't properly completed.
If there is no online connection and Windows 7 is activated, there is no authentication. Or did I miss something and there is other information?
This is a very interesting read, but even if windows is not being checked for validation if no internet is present, what about the programs you are trying to use? Maybe they will fail for similar reason, cannot receive handshake of approval, and perhaps not have the need for handshake disabled if no internet present? Software developer may not be interested in the problem if there is no money in it either. Maybe an occasional connection to internet may be necessary after all?
Maybe some software requires a Internet connection to work – but it seems it's not a broad issue.