MS rolls out Win 7 activation updates alongside........

[JMH]

I've gotten a few reader questions about all the out-of-band Windows patches they’ve been seeing over the past couple of days. A quick check over at the Microsoft Download Center shows that, yes, indeed, all kinds of updates are in the pipeline for XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

The promised Windows 7 anti-piracy updates that Microsoft officials said to expect before the end of February also are starting to arrive. Those updates — known officially as Windows Activation Technologies Update for Windows 7 — are designed to detect more than 70 known activation hacks, according to the Softies. They also are designed to detect pirated, “non-Genuine” copies of Windows.

Source -
Microsoft rolls out Windows 7 activation updates alongside other Windows fixes | All about Microsoft | ZDNet.com

 

[HerrKaLeun]

What is the point if the update is not automatic? Someone with a pirated copy just doesn't install the update.

They should force that update on to anyone ever updating (and even pirates want to have the security patches, so they rather pay for a copy than having an insecure system for the next years). Actually they should have implemented it right away. It is not like now all of sudden they realize that people pirate their software.

 

[djfirestorm]

It messes up full fledged OEM copies too. I have legitimate OEM that now claims it is pirated. I bought it from M$ in the pre-order right from their sight (it was the download copy that used their own program to set it up to install from a flash drive that they even provided then wiped out), so it defiantly is legitimate. Its just another control method to allow firewall bypasses for guys looking to sue the world. Now it says I need to make it genuine fore 260...the funny thing is Home Premium can be picked up fore 110! FN M$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I hope this comes back and bites them in the butt. After this experience, I hope someone permanently fudges their activation. Serves them right for screwing their own legit customers...oh and ya, I love my computer sending data back to them at timed intervals. Just love the privacy act being completely ignored by senators and governors. I guess they are paid off by MS to allow laws to be directly broken. Oh ya, I forgot, you can break laws to stop law breakers...if a police officer did that he would be in jail here in Canada.

 

[valtonray]

It messes up full fledged OEM copies too. I have legitimate OEM that now claims it is pirated. I bought it from M$ in the pre-order right from their sight (it was the download copy that used their own program to set it up to install from a flash drive that they even provided then wiped out), so it defiantly is legitimate. Its just another control method to allow firewall bypasses for guys looking to sue the world. Now it says I need to make it genuine fore 260...the funny thing is Home Premium can be picked up fore 110! FN M$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I hope this comes back and bites them in the butt. After this experience, I hope someone permanently fudges their activation. Serves them right for screwing their own legit customers...oh and ya, I love my computer sending data back to them at timed intervals. Just love the privacy act being completely ignored by senators and governors. I guess they are paid off by MS to allow laws to be directly broken. Oh ya, I forgot, you can break laws to stop law breakers...if a police officer did that he would be in jail here in Canada.

im sure a call to MS would fix your issue.

 

[KazeNoKoe23]

I'm not worried about "data being sent back to Microsoft". They never use that info to personally identify you.

 

[karlsnooks]

There is a very good article on the Windows Activation Technology Update (WATU) at Paul Thurott's SuperSite for Windows which gives the best and most throrough explanation that I've encountered.

Following is the direct url to toe article:
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/watu.asp#100225

karl

 

[djfirestorm]

I'm not worried about "data being sent back to Microsoft". They never use that info to personally identify you.

I suppose, I am just more annoyed that me genuine copy bought right from them says it is not legit. I am absolutely positive nobody took my key either.

 

[manhunter2826]

There is a very good article on the Windows Activation Technology Update (WATU) at Paul Thurott's SuperSite for Windows which gives the best and most throrough explanation that I've encountered.

Following is the direct url to toe article:
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/watu.asp#100225

karl

Thanks for that karl, will have a read/ Hope this thread is not deleted; the one on Security sub-forum seems to have been? . WAT really does need to be discussed, in an intelligent and reasonable manner.

 

[manhunter2826]

There is a very good article on the Windows Activation Technology Update (WATU) at Paul Thurott's SuperSite for Windows which gives the best and most throrough explanation that I've encountered.

Following is the direct url to toe article:
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/watu.asp#100225

karl

Thanks for that karl, will have a read/ Hope this thread is not deleted; the one on Security sub-forum seems to have been? . WAT really does need to be discussed, in an intelligent and reasonable manner.

Sorry, my mistake, it's still there
http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...tivation-technologies-update-windows-7-a.html

 

[wee]

There is a very good article on the Windows Activation Technology Update (WATU) at Paul Thurott's SuperSite for Windows which gives the best and most throrough explanation that I've encountered.

Following is the direct url to toe article:
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/watu.asp#100225

karl

The key phrase in that linkAnd if you're worried that the http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/clean_install_upgrade_media.asp I wrote about falls into this category, don't. I verified with Microsoft that this method is both safe and unaffected by WATU.) Method 2 from authors link no problems for me I had to do a reinstall of a legal OS.

 

[arkhi]

Which is why I never downloaded this update. My OS is legit and I know it. Sorry MS, but we don't need some program to reverify our already verified (technically and truthfully) legit OS for bragging rights. Heck I don't think owning one is much of a bragging right.

One thing I'm happy about this is that truly it is voluntary. It may be listed as "Important" on WU, but it is unchecked by default. This got me by big suprise.

 

[cloud8521]

Which is why I never downloaded this update. My OS is legit and I know it. Sorry MS, but we don't need some program to reverify our already verified (technically and truthfully) legit OS for bragging rights. Heck I don't think owning one is much of a bragging right.

One thing I'm happy about this is that truly it is voluntary. It may be listed as "Important" on WU, but it is unchecked by default. This got me by big suprise.

its kinda in a testing period. thats why its not mandatory but once they make sure there are no- little problems they will probably roll it out with service pack 1.

 

[karlsnooks]

I strongly suspect that you are correct and what is now optional will no longer be optional in the near future.

Furthermore, as new hacks come up, then MS will update correspondingly. Just a premonition since I don't work for MS.

 

[arkhi]

Which is why I can't wait for the white paper for W7 SP1 :huh:

 

[cloud8521]

I strongly suspect that you are correct and what is now optional will no longer be optional in the near future.

Furthermore, as new hacks come up, then MS will update correspondingly. Just a premonition since I don't work for MS.

yes, thats the only reason it "phones home" to update its known cracks database

 

[arkhi]

The ever classic "Houston, we have a problem"

 

[CarlTR6]

That article is good information. I feel much better about WAC now.

 

[Mark Phelps]

OK, so maybe I'm the exception here ... but I'm going to hold off installing this as long as possible.

I have ONLY legit copies of Win7 running -- and I have the retail DVDs to prove that. So, if MS wants to send their "Activation Police" around to my home -- I'll be happy to show them my DVDs

But ... I'm going to do everything I can to avoid being one of the MILLIONS (at least, that's what I read) of folks who got false positives with Vista activation checks. Last thing I need is my legit copies being deactivated because of some coding "bug" in WAT!!

 

[CarlTR6]

I totally agree. I didn't say I was going to install it; I just said I feel better about it after having read the article. I usually wait a while before installing any updates.

 

[manhunter2826]

There is a very good article on the Windows Activation Technology Update (WATU) at Paul Thurott's SuperSite for Windows which gives the best and most throrough explanation that I've encountered.

Following is the direct url to toe article:
http://www.winsupersite.com/win7/watu.asp#100225

karl

Just read and reread; really nice article. thanks