Windows 7 activation update aims at high-volume pirates

Today, Microsoft announced the imminent release of a new Windows Activation Technologies Update for Windows. This update, which targets Windows 7, is the latest evolutionary step in the technologies that started with Windows Genuine Advantage in 2006. For most Windows users in the developed world its impact will be nonexistent; on a system with a properly activated copy of Windows, it will make an initial validation check, update itself every 90 days, and never make a peep. What?s noteworthy to me is the degree to which Microsoft is going out of its way to disclose the details of this update and to allow anyone who is skeptical of it to opt out with no negative consequences.

The biggest change in this update is the addition of new code designed to detect common hacks that allow pirated software to circumvent Windows activation. According to Joe Williams, General Manager of Microsoft?s Genuine Windows division, the update ?will detect more than 70 known and potentially dangerous activation exploits.? More details:

The Update is designed to run on all editions of Windows 7, although we will distribute first to the Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise editions. It will be available online at www.microsoft.com/genuine beginning February 16 and on the Microsoft Download Center beginning February 17. Later this month, the update will also be offered through Windows Update as an ?Important? update.

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=1759&tag=content;col1&tag=nl.e589

Note to self: Deactivate Windows Update
Thanks for the info.

I will lend a friend of mine XP lol

You don't have to turn off windows update.

Just go find the KBxxx number for the update, then set your updates to manual (notify but don't download) - then find the download in the list and HIDE it with the Hide Update option. Then you can download the other updates without worrying. Wouldn't switch it back to automatic though, just to be safe.

Got it. It's KB971033. It was disabled by default when I attempted to update.

This update is really for people who bought their PC at a small custom PC shop. If the copy of Windows comes up as pirated, Microsoft will give you a copy of windows at a low price or for free for ratting out the seller.