What is idm-activation-script?

This is a Windows batch script tool for Internet Download Manager (IDM), a paid download management application for Windows. The script offers three options: freezing the 30-day trial so it never expires, activating the software without purchasing a license, and resetting the trial period. The project is archived and no longer maintained, as the author has switched to a different application. The freeze trial option is the one the author recommends, as the activation option is noted as not currently working for all users. The freeze method locks the registry keys that IDM uses to track the remaining trial days, preventing them from counting down. Once frozen, IDM updates can be installed without needing to reapply the fix. The tool works by interacting with the Windows registry. IDM stores its trial and activation state across multiple registry keys, some of which it locks to protect from changes. The script triggers a few downloads to generate those keys, identifies them, and then locks them in a state that prevents IDM from reading or modifying them, which stops the software from displaying license warnings. Running the tool requires Windows 7 or newer. There are two ways to use it: a one-line PowerShell command that downloads and runs the script automatically, or a manual method where you download and extract the repository and run the included batch file directly. Command-line flags are available for running the options without interactive menus. The project is open source and the batch script code is readable. The last release was version 1.2 in February 2024. Because the project is archived, no further updates or fixes are planned.