deactivation before windows re install

[Dave317]

I'm going to re install Windows 7 in the next few days as i haven't done it in a few years and my pc is getting a bit cluttered. Do i need to deactivate dcs and all my modules before i wipe everything or is this not necessary?

[BIGNEWY]

Yes make sure you deactivate

[Dave317]

Ok thanks

[Rudel_chw]

... Do i need to deactivate dcs and all my modules before i wipe everything or is this not necessary?

 

 

On theory, a change in Windows is not enough to trigger the starforce activation, it accounts for 3 change points and the activation is triggered on 12 points.

 

 

So, if you take care to not change other things, in particular:

 

 

- Keep the PC name the same as before.

- Install Windows on the same letter drive as before (for example, C:/ )

- Keep RAM amount the same

- Keep the same processor and motherboard

 

 

if all of this is true, then you could backup this registry key (and its subkeys): HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Eagle Dynamics

 

 

Backup also the Saved Games/DCS.openbeta folder (where your settings are), backup Program Files/Eagle Dynamics and also backup the DCS shortcut that you use to start DCS.

 

 

With all of those backed up, then you can reinstall Windows (remember to give it the same name as before), restore the folders Program Files/Eagle Dynamics and Saved Games/DCS.openbeta, restore the shortcut and finally restore the registry key

 

 

Then you will be able to start DCS using the shortcut and all should work just as before ... if you plug your HOTAS on a different USB port the axis settings may not be correct, so take care to mark which USB port you use for it.

 

 

EXCEPTIONS: The MiG-21 and the Viggen will need an activation if you use this method, so if you have those two planes, deactivate them prior to reinstalling Windows, they will have to be activated again after the new Windows is installed.

 

 

If any of the steps I've outlined (registry key backup, backup and restore folders, restore shortcut) sound like chinese to you, then play it safe and do as BIGNEWY says instead ... better safe tan sorry :)

 

 

Best regards

[BIGNEWY]

I'm always playing it safe, that is how I survived my military service and my wife's cooking :)

[Rudel_chw]

I'm always playing it safe, that is how I survived my military service and my wife's cooking :)

 

 

 

:) I fully agree ... I've just tried what I described and know it works, but it needs someone that is at ease with copying folders back and forth and using REGEDIT to backup/restore keys

 

 

... it's a pity that both Leatherneck aircrafts have something different about their implementation of StarForce, I own all of DCS aircraft, campaigns and maps, and those two are the only ones that needed activation after a Windows reinstall :( ... I lost an activation on these two, pity.

 

 

Best regards

[bin801]

Helpful to me, also.

 

Thank you!!!!

[BlacleyCole]

If I replace the harddddrivee and clone the harddrive. Will I neeeed to deactivate and reactivate dcs or since it’s a backup of the complete hard drive and Nothing But the hard drive is changing so I’m good. The existing hdd is a m.2 sata 500gb. I’m installing a 2tb nvme m.2 drive. Will I be. Ok ? Can you backup the above and re store them to keep from having to redownload everything since I own every aircraft except the hawk, map And campaign plus a ton of Mods installed. If that’s The case I might install win10 fresh or do a manufacture restore and copy the folder over and run repair/clean/update from dcs utility app by SkateZilla