Compiling ARM desktop applications for Windows 8 RT?

Microsoft has disabled compiling ARM desktop application on Visual Studio 2012 even if it is possible technically and the binaries can run without an issue (provided that they are signed by Microsoft).

In order to re-enable the support for ARM desktop application building in Visual Studio 2012, you have to follow these two steps :

• Edit the file "C:\Program Files (x86)\MSBuild\Microsoft.Cpp\v4.0\V110\Platforms\ARM\Microsoft.Cpp.ARM.Common.props" and add the following line to the section PropertyGroup : "< WindowsSDKDesktopARMSupport > true < / WindowsSDKDesktopARMSupport > "
• Add the following define to your project, Makefile or command line through the /D switch: _ARM_WINAPI_PARTITION_DESKTOP_SDK_AVAILABLE.

Backup and restore Windows 7 activation status (Offline activation after reinstall)

This post is just a reminder of the necessary steps in order to backup Windows 7 activation status before doing a clean re-install and then restoring it back.
They are taken from post on the following link : http://www.mydigitallife.info/how-to-backup-and-restore-windows-7-and-server-2008-r2-activation-status-activate-offline-on-reinstall/

1. Copy and save or backup the following activation-related files to external storage medium such as USB flash drive or portable hard disk drive: C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetWorkService\
   AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SoftwareProtectionPlatform\Tokens.dat
   and,C:\Windows\System32\spp\tokens\pkeyconfig\pkeyconfig.xrm-ms
   Note: For 64-bit (x64) OS, C:\Windows\SysWOW64\spp\tokens\pkeyconfig\pkeyconfig.xrm-ms have to be backed up too.
2. Retrieve and record the product key used to install and activate the current Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.
3. Reinstall Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2. When installation wizard prompts for a product key for activation, leave it blank (do not enter anything).
4. In the newly installed Windows operating system, stop the Software Protection Service in Services.msc or with the following command (run in elevated command prompt): net stop sppsvc
   
5. Navigate to the following folder: C:\Windows\System32\spp\tokens\pkeyconfig\
   Note: In 64-bit (x64) operating system, also perform the action in C:\Windows\SysWOW64\spp\tokens\pkeyconfig\ folder.
6. Take ownership and give user full control permissions (alternatively add grant full control right click menu item) to pkeyconfig.xrm-ms file.
7. Delete the original default pkeyconfig.xrm-ms file, and replace with the backup copy.
8. Navigate to the following folder: C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetWorkService\
   AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SoftwareProtectionPlatform\
   
9. Take ownership and give user full control permissions (alternatively add grant full control right click menu item) to tokens.dat file.
10. Delete the original default tokens.dat file, and replace with the backup copy.
11. Restart the Software Protection Service in Services.msc or with the following command (run in elevated command prompt): net start sppsvc
    
12. Register the product key for Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 with the following command (run in elevated command prompt): slmgr.vbs -ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx
    Replace xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx with the actual product key.
13. Windows will activated instantly, off-line. To check activation status, uses of of the following commands: 
• slmgr.vbs -dlv
• slmgr.vbs -dli
• slmgr.vbs -ato