Activating VS 2008 Professional

  1. Download WinSpy - Catch22
    1. Run as Admin
  2. Goto Control Panel -> Uninstall a Program
    1. Search for Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition
    2. Right Click and then click Uninstall/Change
  3. Click next after loading finishes
  4. Use WinSpy to make the activation boxes visible
    1. Drag the finder tool to one of the hidden controls of the Maintenance Window
    2. In WinSpy go to the Styles tab
    3. Click the three dots next to Window Styles
    4. Remove WS_DISABLED
    5. Add WS_VISIBLE
    6. Click Apply
    7. Repeat for the remaining controls
  5. Enter a licence key (can be found online)
  6. Click Upgrade

After step 4 the window should look like this:

References

🗺️ OpenZDK