Windows 7 Update Closes 70 "Activation Hacks"
Windows 7 Update Closes 70 "Activation Hacks"
Posted 02/12/2010 at 9:00am
| by Paul Lilly
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Microsoft will soon make it more difficult for pirates to pillage Windows 7 when it closes a whole bunch of activation workarounds via an upcoming update. According to Microsoft, the Windows Activation Technologies Update for Windows 7 will close more than 70 "activation hacks.
Perhaps less appealing to the mainstream consumer, the update will also dial into a Microsoft server every once in awhile to help detect and root out any further hacks. Of course, this comes with the standard claim that no personally identifiable information about the user will ever be sent, but nevertheless, we can't see privacy advocates being too thrilled with this one.
Joe Williams, general manager of Microsoft's Genuine Windows unit, justifies the measures by calling attention to all the malware that's associated with non-genuine versions of Windows.
"We do see malicious code -- everything from easily discoverable malware to keyboard recording," Williams said. "There's all sorts of things we've seen that puts our customers at risk and their data at risk."
For those who want to get a jump start on the update, it will be made available as a manual download starting February 16th from Microsoft's genuine website, and the Microsoft Download center a day alter. Later on this month, it will be classified as an "important" yet optional update through Windows Update.
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BAMT
April 08, 2010 at 11:53am
Those who buy the cheap copies really should be warned about them; I once came across an obviously too cheap XP CD and found a ton of the system DLLs to contain rootkits. In fact, the system was bugged so much that explorer randomly crashed and there were many previously non-existent bugs.
On a side note, I don't know why this comment is up here. I clicked to comment under Taz0's comment and the punch sign had the post number.
roninnder
February 13, 2010 at 5:00pm
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this update both voluntary and removable?
dankers
February 13, 2010 at 5:14am
I hope its not like my genuine copy of Vista that M$ decided wasn't legit one day. Took a while to get it working again. There should be a word limit in these posts... some people are so wordy.
Windows Securit...
February 12, 2010 at 8:06pm
If Microsoft were caught only once stealing code for Windows, their License would be invalid as it would try to make you a co-conspirator to their crime.
But Microsoft has lost several lawsuits regarding their illegal activities with Windows and so I for one do not honor their illegal License, nor do I honor their alledged copyrights on products that defraud uncompensated programmers who's code is being illegally used in Windows.
Only Propaganda Artists would criminally side with Microsoft on such a serious issue as this!
Or to put it another way, only people who's business survival depends on Microsofts success would tell you that you are promoting piracy by dishonoring Microsofts License and then ban you from this forum! Ahem....
Do you think anyone at Maximum Propaganda Magazine would agree with me?
Or will they ban me again for stating the facts?
Stay tuned kids! You won't want to miss our next episode...
QuakindudeMod
February 13, 2010 at 12:45pm
I say ban you for being a conspiracy theorist ass who doesn't seem to be able to abide by the rules and respect the forum you are provided, for free, at MaximumPC. Accusing MaxPC of being criminally negligent in an article in which they also point out how you can avoid getting this bullshit "update" from being installed on your machine shows that you simply have an immature, negative attitude for MaximumPC.
Make sure you don't incriminate yourself by making slanderous comments about a web site or a person. I cannot and do not speak on behalf of MaximumPC outside of moderating these comments, but I certainly can, and will, point out anything of an illegal nature that you may do to harm this websites tremendously well earned reputation.
Now. Why don't you just go find another place to spew your inaccurate and immature comments and hatred. Because it won't be here. The site Admin took notice of this and you should have his remarks in an email. See ya!!
*****MaximumPC Moderator. Report inappropriate/SPAM comments to
QuakindudeMod at Gmail--dot--com with a link. My personal comments do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of MaxPC or Future US*****
Taz0
February 13, 2010 at 3:03am
Every community has its rules - abide by them or leave. And if you decide to leave, please don't forget to take your tinfoil hat on your way out.
COMMANDER_COOK
February 12, 2010 at 2:28pm
There's still no reason to make it connect to the servers on a schedule. It's not like someone with a genuine copy is going to somehow go non-genuine..
And for the malware part, sure the ISOs on the internet may have malware, but smart people make ISOs of their friends factory pressed discs and then use a crack of keygen on them.
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WarCrime342
February 12, 2010 at 10:38am
What I'm wondering about this is if it will make my copy ungenuine. My version of Windows 7 is indeed very genuine, but I installed Windows 7 Upgrade using the clean install process. I used a registry fix to allow me to activate it without having to install a previous OS. It would be catastrophic if Microsoft decided to nullify my key just because I used an activation bypass method. To make it worse, I bought a Family 3-pack. All three computers would then be ungenuine and each require a new key.
I just don't want to go through the "fracking" hassle of installing XP just so I can install Windows 7. Lets hope it doesn't screw over everyone else that has done this.
runner7775
February 12, 2010 at 11:31am
Nah, the update won't mess up your computer if you have done the registry hack.
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/watu.asp
aviaggio
February 12, 2010 at 11:07am
This is why I will never allow something like this to be installed. Even though I have a completely legitimate copy I see nothing good coming from this. I certainly do not want to be exposed to having my OS shut down, even by mistake. JUST SAY NO!
QuakindudeMod
February 12, 2010 at 2:59pm
I very much agree with you Aviaggio. I will not be installing this "update" simply because I see no reason for MS to be calling home on my OEM copy of Win7 Ultimate I bought from NewEgg.
I get the feeling this is MS's way of trying to prep the public into becoming numb to these types of micro-management tactics of a product they BOUGHT. As usual, the only people this will aggravate and piss off are those of us who choose to run legally procured and owned software.
*****MaximumPC Moderator. Report inappropriate/SPAM comments to
QuakindudeMod at Gmail--dot--com with a link. My personal comments do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of MaxPC or Future US*****
Taz0
February 13, 2010 at 3:17am
This update affects four groups of users, each in a different way:
The average genuine user: The update will automatically install, verify that Windows is genuine, maybe call home now and then, but the user will never even know about it or be bothered by it - ignorance is bliss.
The genuine power user: He'll know about this update, knows his Windows is genuine, and select not to install it, or perhaps install it and block it from calling home using his firewall (or if he's not a privacy nut, just install it).
The duped bargain hunter: The update will automatically install and tell him that if the price is too good to be true, it is. That's Microsoft's target audience. He will then either ignore it or purchase a genuine license.
The shrewd pirate: He'll know about this update, laugh really hard, then either avoid it or install it then install an undetected activator.
Microsoft knows it's only targeting the third demographic, and I quote from the CNET article:
Williams said Microsoft has put much of its focused on informing customers that may have been duped into buying a PC with non-genuine software.
"We are pretty realistic," Williams said. "People who are actively pirating will try to find ways to continue to pirate."
huhhuh
April 27, 2010 at 10:04am
My first time ever to update Win7 (after 6 months of owing it). Found this old article and when I checked for updates, out of 11 or so checked by default to be installed the KB71033 was not.
Good job if you ask me.
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