5/7/2023
Reports say that it seems to work on Windows 11! Another year, another OS!
1/24/2022
Folks, I am blown away. It been over 10 years since I posted this random bit of info I discovered on a long-gone piece of hardware for an end-of-life OS and I am still getting comments from people able to apply it to today's software. Blown! Away!
Yes, this fix reportedly works on Windows 10 according to the latest comment from a user. I love hearing the success stories!
I wonder about Windows 11?
Six years and still getting reports that the fix is still helping others get the most from their hardware! Please keep the comments coming as I love reading the success stories!
8/24/2016
By popular demand, here's a couple of how-to links on editing the registry.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/registry/ht/open-registry-editor.htm
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/learn-how-use-windows-registry-editor-regedit-one-easy-lesson.htm
Editing the registry My favorite guide! :-)
And George T. has a provided another link to the drivers
https://extranet.toshiba-tro.de/en-us/supportquality/bluetoothinfopage/news/downloadtoshiba.aspx
Thanks for the kind works and be sire to read thru the feedback comments below for updated and improved information. I have long since retired the laptop so I can't offer new info or insight, but I love hearing the success stories!
3/1/2016
I am gobsmacked that this site is still getting traffic and still helping people get the most from their bluetooth. Thank you so much for the updates and feedback on working configurations as you discover them. Please keep the comments coming- they make me happy knowing others are still benefiting!
Mike
Original post below:
For those running Toshiba's bluetooth stack and encountering the infamous 'License has expired' message, I have a workaround that seems to be working.
After downloading version 8.00.12(T) of Toshiba's BT stack (from Toshiba Bluetooth Portal), I began getting this message:
"Bluetooth Manager: Thank your for evaluating the Bluetooth Stack for Windows by Toshiba. The evaluation period has expired. Please obtain a license for this version of Bluetooth Stack for Windows by Toshiba."
I did a little digging and found that this was quite common. Now, my BT adapter from Dell in my Inspiron 9300 is made by Toshiba. I used the last version of the stack without problems. So...I want my BT back.
Simple fix- edit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Toshiba\BluetoothStack\V1.0\Mng. Add a new DWORD key called TestVersion. Set it equal to 1. Message gone.
This key will probably have to be added to each user account on the computer that need BT functionality.
Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for a solution to this for ages. And, looking at all the other pleas resulting from my Google searches, so have many others.
It works on my 5 year old Sony Vaio AR 21S (so far), which came with Windows XP, but labelled "Vista Ready". I updated to Vista and it worked ok, but when I installed Windows 7 - no more BT.
I found the driver on the Toshiba Portal, but then got the 30 day message.
This tip is a little gem. Thanks for posting it for us. It really needs to appear at the top of the Google Search.
I'm glad I could help. And I'm glad to know it's working for someone else and wasn't just an isolated fluke.
ReplyDeleteMike
Does this just disable the pop-up or does it actually allow the BT to work after the 30 days??? This could be life-changing!!
DeleteI'm thinking that it is an old evaluation hook that toshiba added for vendors/debugging. The software works fine with no issues. Been stable since the original post date (12/12/2011). Almost a year now.
DeleteMike
The 350 gives the expire message to any laptop bought with vista...older xp models have a toshiba licence in the firmware, so this message can also be fixed if you down grade the 350 module with older firmware there is a link and expanation at the bottom of this dell forum page .
ReplyDeletehttp://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/18142450.aspx
Interesting, DB. What a PITA. I really wouldn't have too much issue with this fact (Toshiba not liscensing the stack with Dell BT modules in Vista) if they offered the BT stack for purchase as an option- but they have shut that option down, leaving us with legacy hardware that isn't legacy. Toshiba got their license fees when we bought the laptop. Just because we upgraded to a different OS should not be a reason for them to lock us out.
ReplyDeleteSorry...I rant... I appreciate the insight. This might prove useful in the future.
My thoughts exactly Mike. To disable a top-end laptop after a few short years, for the sake of a license fee for one tiny component in that laptop (which they won't let you buy) is a sad reflection on Toshiba. And, in my case at least, Sony, for going along with this.
DeleteIf you hadn't posted this fix, and I had found DB's alternative fix, then I'd have used it. But why drag your device back several generations in FW, just to get some utility from that device. Why not make use of developments in the latest FW / Driver?
Thanks again Mike.
I'm glad I could help out.
DeleteMike
I really appreciate you posting this tip. It worked for me on my Acer Aspire 5532 Windows 7 64-bit laptop. It doesn't have bluetooth built in so I got a Bluetooth mini usb adapter and the only driver that would work is the Bluetooth Stack for Windows by Toshiba. It worked great until the 30 days was over. I tried several other drivers and none worked. I reinstalled the Toshiba version and immediately got the 30 day message. I was furious. I narrowed down my google results to just the last year and your link came up on the first page. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteDoes this edit just disable to pop-up or will the BT actually work after the 30 days??
DeleteIt just works. Been working for me for over a year.
DeleteMike
Great to hear, ChasSquirrel. Glad I could help out.
ReplyDeleteMike
Thank you for your help! This worked perfectly!!
ReplyDeleteDoesn't work on Windows Server 2008 R2 with the version 7 Toshiba drivers. Tried installing the version 8 drivers and they don't seem to work at all. The version 7 drivers worked until the trial expired.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that. Maybe someone will figure out a fix and help you out.
DeleteGood luck, Mike.
Super! Thank you for your help!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear someone else has been helped. I never imagined the traffic this fix would generate!
DeleteMike
Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteYou solved very clearly. No problem anymore..
Tried it on Windows XP no luck any other suggestions?
ReplyDeleteYou are the only one I have heard from that has not had success. I would double-check that you are in the right location in the registry and using the right kind of key (DWORD). Other than that, there is another possible (untested by me) solution a couple of comments down below.
DeleteMike
Thank you so much for posting this! I have a Gateway P-6860FX that now has XP Home on it...I spent months getting drivers for the onboard hardware that would work in XP. I had no idea how lacking my Bluetooth divers were tho.. I downloaded the Toshiba Stack for Windows with NO indication that it was a 30 day demo..And was further dismayed to find the license process had been discontinued. I applied this Simple Fix, and was pleased to see that on rebooting, the driver no longer snivelled about the days remaining. :-) :-) And I agree with other posters, this fix needs to show up way sooner in the Search lists! :) Thank you for sharing!! :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. Hopefully the additional "traffic" will make it show up in searches sooner, eh? ;)
This is great to hear! I'm glad I could help.
DeleteMike
Quick fix for this is to Hex Edit TosBtChk.dll
ReplyDeleteEdit byte 000028C0 from 02 to 01
This works for both 32bit & 64bit
Interesting. Thanks for the find. Can anyone else confirm this? I am guessing this is an alternative to the registry change? Probably changes the hex value that the software is looking for from the registry?
DeleteGlad to see this page still helping others out!
Mike
Same issue. How I dislike Toshiba more each day!
ReplyDeleteNot sure how to do this:
Add a new DWORD key called TestVersion. Set it equal to 1. Message gone.
Do I highlight "Mng: then EDIT > NEW > KEY and enter "TestVersion"?
If so not sure of the proper command to set it equal to 1?
Thanks for any help.
Dave
Yes- create a new DWORD key, rename it to TestVersion. Double-click on it and change the value to 1.
DeleteThanks a lot! Toshiba stack finally get worked!
ReplyDeleteYou can create and run "reg" file with the content:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Toshiba\BluetoothStack\V1.0\Mng]
"TestVersion"=dword:00000001
Haha- that's true. That way never crossed my mind. If I find time, I may need to add a downloadable. Thanks for the idea!
DeleteMike
that worked thanks ,you are genius
ReplyDeletebut I still has the msg in the notification bar ' the evaluation period has 20 days remaining ' !!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, Enas. I don't have any other suggestions other than to double-check the registry changes and make sure they are in the correct location. It's been so long, I don't know, but IIRC the change doesn't go into effect until after a reboot. Just a thought in case you haven't. Good luck!
DeleteMike
Thanks brother. Stupid toshiba
ReplyDeletePersonally I wouldn't consider Toshiba and that's why I have ended up looking for your solution - THANK YOU MIKE!! Worked like a charm.
ReplyDeleteI would have happily bought a license from Toshiba, but since they're not offering.... we gotta do what we do!!!
Amazing fix. I had been looking for months, given up, and next time I looked I found this post. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you a thousand times for your patch for the Toshiba Bluetooth stack. Apart from the angst of trying to install and configure different Bluetooth chipsets and obscure drivers, I have also spent the last 3 days (and nights) looking for this 'expiration' fix, and your post finally appeared. Congratulations on your work! Most excellent!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Another satisfied user - now I can continue to use the tiny, cheapo generic Bluetooth adapter I got from Ebay.
ReplyDeleteWow! Thank you so much! Extremely helpful! And I concur with JimK...I had the exact issue!
ReplyDeleteHi, I don't understand how to do this:
ReplyDeleteSimple fix- edit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Toshiba\BluetoothStack\V1.0\Mng. Add a new DWORD key called TestVersion. Set it equal to 1. Message gone.
Would you mind giving some more instructions?
It's not hard, but if you have never done anything related to editing the registry, I suggest you spend some time researching on google.
DeleteA place to start is
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/learn-how-use-windows-registry-editor-regedit-one-easy-lesson.htm
Mike
Thanks for your reply. I think that I've managed to do it correctly. Thanks for the helpful blog post :D
DeleteI was little confused at first but that linked really helped thank you
DeleteWow, this was extremely helpful, thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteClassic post.
ReplyDeleteWish I knew about this years ago.
Like many noobies I thought you had to have to have a Toshiba Computer and Toshiba Bluetooth adapter. Nope.
I use this on Win7 with HP x64 PC with GlovePie, FreeTrack and Wii Remote.
Goodbye BlueSoliel.
Excellent!! Thanks for the hack!! I upgraded my OS to Windows 7 and after spending 3 days trying to find a working stack for my Sony Vaio UX-390N, I kept getting the same message (30 day trial). Performed the edit and Presto!! Yea!!
ReplyDeleteThank You for this Info.
ReplyDeleteI knew there had to be a registry edit for this timer but wasn't sure what it would be called. Works great for version 9.10.01.
Ok question i haven't expired yet and i am using the newest version now 1. did i do this too early and 2. is there a chance that since i'm newer it won't work? :D anyway thanks for your effort! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info!
ReplyDeleteI've been having this issue, just did what u suggested, without even restarting my computer ( had to reopen the app) it works again!
Just had to jump in and add my thanks to Mike! For those that are trying this method, once you make the regedit change, close the Bluetooth application and then re-start it. You should no longer see the "X" Days Pending expiry notification. Thank you again Mike and Happy New Year!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I did a Windows update earlier this week and it updated the Toshiba Bluetooth driver. The update didn't go well and next thing I know, my bluetooth is gone.
ReplyDeleteI hunted high and low before Windows provided a download link for the bluetooth stack. Upon installing I got the famous 30 days evaluation message. I decided to see if that will cause me a problem and found this site.
Your suggestion worked perfectly. Thank you!
THIS REALLY WORKS!!! Now, just to get the resolution posted on the Toshiba forum....
ReplyDeletethanks, worked like a charm :)
ReplyDeleteWorks with CSR 4.0 generic usb dongle on win 7 64x
stack version 9.10.01
the original CSR software was giving me problems and rarely connected.
Thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteI got a CSR8510A10 BT dongle and your trick helped me installing a Toshiba Bluetooth Stack that does NOT conflict with Remote Desktop Client of Windows 8.1!!!
May the Force and farces be with you!
FYI, the CSR Harmony 2 Bluetooth Stack caused Remote Desktop Client to crash!
DeleteDescription:
Faulting application name: mstsc.exe, version: 6.3.9600.16384, time stamp: 0x5215e2b5
Faulting module name: ntdll.dll, version: 6.3.9600.17630, time stamp: 0x54b0e17a
Exception code: 0xc0000374
Fault offset: 0x00000000000f1240
Faulting process id: 0xee0
Faulting application start time: 0x01d04605a78aee4e
Faulting application path: C:\WINDOWS\system32\mstsc.exe
So, the fix worked for you on 8.1, or you thought it did, but it didn't?
DeleteThank you very much, worked perfect. And for all who don´t know how to find HKEY_CURRENT_USER: just Start-> type in redegit -> choose regedit.exe
ReplyDeleteI didn´t knew that, maybe others have same problems
ty so much!
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome!
DeleteHad the same issue with Windows 7 and the Toshiba stack, now fixed! Over three years later, and your post is still helping people - thanks!!
ReplyDeleteGare
No one is more amazed than me! I am humbled by all the traffic this little fix has received over the years.
DeleteThanks to everyone for the kind words.
Mike
Mike, thank god for google finding this post, your post was a godsend for me, my hair was thinning because of this.....many thanks for helping us minnows
ReplyDeleteYou sir, are a wizard. This should be at the top of the Google results.
ReplyDeleteLEGEND.
ReplyDeletehello mike , I m useing xp , 8.00.03 version toshiba bluet. stack. I added new DWORD key called TestVersion, value data 1. now not says evaluation 30 days etc. I m from Kurdistan. very thank you
ReplyDeleteit worked , thank you
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! I think you saved me from an aneurism! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou da man!!!! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYeah! Thank-you! It works after the re-boot!
ReplyDeletefunny thing is I had this same notification come on my laptop running Toshiba Bluetooth stack and after a while it just went away ... ? Still have the program and working fine ..... but when I added it to my PC the notification came and I wanted a fix and this is it :) Thanks again :)
ReplyDeleteWorks great on my Win7 machine - Thx for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHello Sir,
ReplyDeletei have window7 L850-B433 Toshiba laptop and this does not work.
i have created the DWORD and named it TestVersion but still get the message :S.
any help please.
Best Regards,
Hi Ali,
DeleteThis is a print screen of the key on my PC that works fine, check if its the same as yours, on the task bar you can see the path.
http://prntscr.com/9f9d47
Hi George,
Deletethanks alot replying man.
it is the same but still getting the same message :S.
Regards,
Ali, I would delete all Bluetooth drivers from your laptop and reinstall the Toshiba stack, then make the new dword I installed the toshiba reference stack that I downloaded from their site, if you cant find it let us know and I can either post the link or send you the zip
ReplyDeleteDear George,
Deletekindly share the zip plz.
Hello, you can still download the drivers from this link
Deletehttps://extranet.toshiba-tro.de/en-us/supportquality/bluetoothinfopage/news/downloadtoshiba.aspx
I am running Win10 pro 64 bit OS. The version I installed was the PC Bluetooth Stack 8.00.12 Windows 2000 / XP / Vista / Windows 7 x32 version and its working fine.
Good Luck
Thanks for the update, George.
DeleteThank you very much, this was REALLY helpful. Have a great day, sir!
ReplyDeleteMike, thank you very,very much for this great tip.
ReplyDeleteMy best regards.
This still works with v9.10.32(T)! Thank you for this post! I had tried several possible solutions, including trying to edit the EvalParameters binary key (never could properly decipher it). Your solution worked perfectly on BOTH of my USB BT nubs (one Belkin, one Roadrunner) on Windows 2012 (which has NO builtin BT stack).
ReplyDeleteThe thing that pissed me off about the Roadrunner is the fact that their driver download page just redirects to the toshiba stack page and the stack doesn't see the nub as an authorized device and maintain the 30 day limit...SOOOO helpful!
I am amazed every time I get a comment that it is still working and helping people!
DeleteBy Windows 2012, do you mean Windows Server 2012?
Thanks for posting,
Mike
thanks it work for my bluetooth v2.0 dongle..on win xp sp3
ReplyDeletehardware id :USB\Vid_0a12&Pid_0001&Rev_0100
thank you very much for this !!! But how tf did you found that out !!!? very helpfull intemporal tip
ReplyDeleteThank You so much worked for me very easy
ReplyDeleteMy adapter was working just great. I'm a bit peeved at Toshiba.
ReplyDeleteLet's just say I won't have warm happy thoughts when I see their name in the future.
Thank you very much Mike!!!
ReplyDeleteThe fix works perfectly :)
You are a great man!
ReplyDeleteThis work only with TOSHIBA bluetooth.
ReplyDeleteWhat about others?
I would guess it only works with Toshiba, but I don't think anyone has tested it.
DeleteMike
Thanks for this guide. However it'd be good if you could include instructions for those who are new to editing registry files like I was. Maybe you could like people here for example ... http://pcsupport.about.com/od/registry/ht/open-registry-editor.htm
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. God bless you always!
ReplyDeleteAwesome guide, can now hook up my shinny new bluetooth speaker with the old dell 350 module :) thx
ReplyDeleteExcellent, Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteTurned my cheap Bluetooth Dongle to a better range than the original software supplied. Now using 9.10.27(T)... Thank you for your guidance.
ReplyDeleteEven just for a kid like me trying to use his Wii U Pro controller on PC, this is still a godsend. Mike, you are the hero this city deserves.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU! I'm so happy to have functional bluetooth from my laptop!
ReplyDeleteToshiba Portege R835-P55x (circa 2011), Windows 7, 64bit, i5, 4gb ram. Laptop didn't come with bluetooth. Installed Soundbot USB bluetooth transmitter (amazon) and bluestack v9.10.32T 81mb.
For external/internal speakers(and now also bose bluetooth Q35!) I boosted audio amp/sound quality with free software called Equalizer APO 1.1.2 that I found over a year ago from another forum.
Cheers!
Thank you very much..It worked in my windows 7. For those who doesnt know how to get to HKEY_CURRENT_USER..
ReplyDelete1) Click Start, type: CMD.
2) Right click on CMD, then click "Run as administrator"
3) At the command prompt type "regedit" then press Enter.
You will see the Registry editor and HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Thanks for the addition!
DeleteThanks for the fix man. I have to use Toshiba stacks so that I don't have to enter a pin when I pair a WiiMote to my computer for playing guitar hero. I'm glad I no longer have to reinstall the program every 7 days just to use it. The guy who posted above me helped a lot too with finding the regedit program.
ReplyDeleteStill amazed people are getting use of this! Great to hear you got it working!
DeleteMike many thanks for this. I finally succumbed to upgrade my old Sony Vaio from Vista to W7 and sure enough my Tosh blue tooth stack stopped functioning. Downloaded version v9.10.27(T) then followed your instructions and 'hey presto' no 30 day trial countdown. You certainly helped a lot of people with this guide.
ReplyDeletecool!
ReplyDeleteitsfineEEEEEE =))))
Over 5 years later and this tip is still coming in handy... got tired of reloading the bluetooth stack every 30 days, so I googled and found this tip, worked like a charm!! :)
ReplyDeleteYep, just worked for me in win7(32) with a generic BT dongle from amazon!
ReplyDeleteHaven't used BT on the netbook in probably a year, decided to play around with it today, got the dreaded 30 day expiration!
I am stunned that this tip is still generating traffic almost 6 years later! I love reading the comments and appreciate the feedback from everyone. Keep it coming!
ReplyDeleteHaha =)
DeleteWell, here's another one - Mike, I really appreciate your help with this thing.
I'm using Grand-X BT dongle to connect my Dualshock4 to Win7, default drivers are causing epic input lag, but with drivers from Toshiba everything seems to be a lot better.
For some reason only drivers from Toshiba Stack are working great (tried Realtek - installed, but with no success), so - respect to Toshiba for this, but evaluation stuff made me sad till I found your solution =)
Nice Blog Post !
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike It worked
ReplyDeleteWorked on Windows 10. Thank you kindly
ReplyDeletethanks!
ReplyDeleteSo simple, yet so effective solution. This blog has saved me so much hassle! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteRunning WIN 8 and didnt work. Is a restart required?
ReplyDeleteMe again from the post above, I updated from Toshiba Bluetooth Stack Version 8 to 9 and also closed and reopened the program after reg editing and seems it might have worked, EVALUATION VERSION message is gone!!! THANK YOU VERY MUCH :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteThanx man! Oddly enough, it has worked for years in the past on my Samsung R540 (Windows7, 32bit), but I bought a new bluetooth stick couple of days before and suddenly a 'license expired' popped up and the bluetooth stack stopped working.
ReplyDeleteFantastic thank you
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this solution,that was also easy to find via Google engine, you saved my time, possibly a lot of time.
ReplyDeleteI am an atheist but... May Good bless you with best of luck!!
Thanks so much. I never edited the registry before but this was real easy, and still works!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Still working in April 2019 with Windows 10 and my old Toshiba. You are genius!
ReplyDelete17 hours. That's how long I spent searching for a solution to my bluetooth issues. As it turns out Toshiba bluestack was my only solution but alas I couldn't find any crack to get rid of the 30 day message. Thankfully you found a way that bypasses that. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteGreat work!!
ReplyDeleteI had sucess to active again the Bluetooth stack!!
thank you so much man it worked!
ReplyDeleteThank a lot Mike. Your solution worked just fine. Super! Happy me!
ReplyDeleteThis is what is needed for running Sony's top wireless headphones WH-1000XM3! Shame of Sony, but fantastic that this exists.
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much. awesome Work.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. This worked on latest Insider version of Win10 Pro.
ReplyDeleteDevice is a generic bluetooth adapter I got from eBay for 99 cents.
The regedit made the trial period message disappear even without a reboot.
Thank you so much for this, I was going crazy with my Bluetooth Headphones. Nothing but Bluetooth Stack made them connect to my PC, but when I saw the 30 day trial period I knew my success wouldn't last long. Now thanks to you I can keep using them, I appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteStill saving people today, Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm on Blue Stack for Windows by Toshiba v9.10.32T on Win10. Just run the registry editor and add the DWORD with a value of 1 as instructed above. Had to reboot before the evaluation message disappeared but it works as of Jan. 2022. Thanks a whole bunch!
ReplyDeleteSaved the day again. An old offline WIndows Vista 32bit computer running some legacy shop hardware. Thanks for the fix!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! I built this pc back in 2015, and like the previous one I built the Windows Bluetooth drivers didn't work right. It wasn't till I had a Toshiba Bluetooth adapter that I found drivers that worked, but I kept getting that stupid message. THIS worked. Thanks!
ReplyDelete2022 November 29 - Thank you so much for this from the bottom of my heart. thank god i found this suggestion from "https://answers.informer.com/3305/obtain-license-this-version-bluetooth-stack-windows-toshiba". There are literal saint living among us who help the needy in their time. sorry i went on rant there so again thank you for this.
ReplyDeleteHi , just an update for win11 os, I had to rebuild my Pc to latest OS , and successfully added the toshiba Bluetooth functionality, all worked fine on Win11 OS, it's amazing this post is still helping others out there, cheerio
ReplyDeleteADDITIONAL HELP: If the solution is implemented but stops working, then uninstall and reinstall the stack anew WITH a hard restart between.
ReplyDeleteWorking on a trusty windows 7. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou should get an award for the most valuable blogpost in the world. =)
ReplyDeleteI have the toshiba drivers as the link i posted many years ago has since been removed, if you need them let me know
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteOld XP system (reverting it from Linux to run old games).
ReplyDeleteThe Registry change didn't work for me but the hex editing TosBtChk.dll changing byte 000028C0 from 02 to 01 as mentioned earlier in the comments did.
Thanks for the update. Glad it worked for you!
Delete