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Microsoft today gave more details about how various Vista activation exploits will be handled by the soon to be released SP1, and beyond. Their Windows Genuine Advantage blog gives some of the details on what will happen to machines running an exploit, and reveals that not only will SP1 be looking for these exploits, but a soon to come Windows Update as well. The notice you may get from this update borders on humorous.
Once SP1 is installed, it will disable the OEM BIOS and Grace Timer exploits. Those that had the Grace Timer exploit installed will immediately be prompted to activate their copy of Vista. Those with the OEM BIOS exploit may not see the prompt for up to 15 days, due to the way normal OEM activation works. In either case, once prompted to activate, users will have a 15 second delay in login while waiting for an ‘activate later’ option to appear, and will have notifications every hour, as well as having their desktop turned black every hour (you can change it, but in an hour it will change back). This is obviously better than the pre-SP1 behavior which basically throws you out of Vista.
Later this month, a Windows Update will be released that scans for the exploit, and upon its discovery notifies the user, as a way of ‘protecting’ them from software piracy. Here’s the message those with the exploit will receive:
Windows has found software that circumvents Windows activation and interferes with it’s normal operation. The presence of this software may indicate your copy of Windows is counterfeit.
After repair, your copy of Windows must be activated.
If you do not repair-Windows, Windows might disable the software and you may need to activate this copy of Windows.
Where to start on picking this language apart! First, it would appear Windows ‘normal operation’ is to make sure it’s been paid for, which of course is what most users are concerned about, and is always the first reason to upgrade to a new OS. Of course possibly being counterfeit means it’s broken and is in need of repair. The update can’t repair it though, it simply points to instructions on line on how to do that. Of course once you repair it, restoring it to it’s normal operation, you must activate it. You have the choice not to repair your copy of Vista, but if you don’t, it’s going to repair itself anyway. Nice how they give you a choice without really giving you a choice. Also nice how it’s ‘Windows’ that might disable the software, and not Microsoft. It’s almost like Microsoft is saying “Hey, if it were up to us, we’d let you keep using it, but that Windows, it’s got a mind of it’s own!”.
So, in the end, if you really want to continue using an exploited version of Vista, don’t install SP1, and be very careful about which updates you install. Down the road, it sounds like Windows Updates will be how exploits are handled. Future updates will not only immediately detect exploits, it will remove (or ‘repair’) them as well. Running Vista illegally is getting more difficult, will it result in increased sales, or just decreased use of Vista?
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Comments
Marty
Feb 21, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Sure sounds like you’re supporting software piracy. How would you change the wording? The only other way of wording this is to accuse people of stealing, and that wouldn’t go over very well. This is a huge problem, and I personally know many people who steal Windows, and these aren’t evil hackers or bad guys, it’s just normal/average friends and neighbors. This is not meant to stop serious piracy, it’s like a padlock on a gate that’s easily broken, but it’s meant to “keep honest people honest”.
Carl
Feb 21, 2008 at 3:37 pm
The article’s commentary equates the words “repair” and “disable.” If the consumer doesn’t “repair” the system, then Windows will “disable” the software causing the problem.
I would translate to the folks who knowingly have illegal copies as “Okay, you’re busted. Here’s your chance to fix it, and by the way, bypassing this prompt won’t help.”
My translation to the consumer whose White Box Reseller gave them a forfeited copy of Vista is “Did you know those folks gave you an illegal version of Vista? Sad, but true. Call them up and tell them ‘You’re busted.’”
Two thumbs up on that wording from me.
Joe
Feb 21, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I can see where you might be confused. I don’t support piracy, and don’t want to encourage those who do. I am bothered, however, when ‘features’ of software get in the way of honest users that have paid for the software. It makes language like that above frustrating since the company is trying to disguise a feature that only benefits them as somehow also benefiting the customer. It will stop people like those you describe from using an exploited version of Vista, but will they pay to use it legally? I’d guess most won’t, and in the end, you have to wonder if the result is better or worse for Microsoft.
Carl
Feb 22, 2008 at 12:10 am
Where to start on picking apart your response? (sorry I couldn’t resist. I’m normally a very nice person.)
1a) You state in the comments that you don’t support piracy but….
1b) You give outright advice on how to continue to use exploited versions of Vista
2a) You state you’re bothered when ‘features’ get in the way of honest users but…
2b) You explain that only exploited systems will ever see the verbiage
In reviewing your write up, I’m detecting sarcasm when you state “Windows ‘normal operation’ is to make sure it’s been paid for, which of course is what most users are concerned about.” I’m guessing you mean the opposite — that users don’t really care if their OS is paid for. Allow me to set your mind at ease: Knowing that your version of Vista is genuine is, in fact, a feature.
Let me explain it this way: Joe, why not send me your Blog password and let me alter your words that you write in your posts whenever I want? Would you like that? Would this be a disservice to your readership? What if you published an article that says “Folks, hey, my password was handed out to this guy and sometimes what you read is not what I wrote.” Would your readership then breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they couldn’t trust what they read? Of course not. Your readers want an assurance that what they read came from you.
That’s what Genuine Advantage is.
Folks are assured that their OS isn’t just paid-for, but that it is in fact, “Windows Vista” and if folks have messed around with BIOS dates, who knows what else they may be messing around with?
As much as folks want to equate this with evil greedy billionaires forcing starving students to give up itunes and ringtone money to line their already fat pockets, it is not at all the reason behind this feature. If you can’t trust the OS to look after itself, why would you trust it with your precious data. End of lecture.
Barry Smith
Feb 22, 2008 at 4:49 am
Get real… ripoff pricing creates piracy.. simple as that. All the purists need to go an have a think.
afdasdf;l
Feb 22, 2008 at 7:10 am
Microsoft gives away millions of copies of its software away virtually for free, minus a small fee, to its MSDN subscribers, which consists of every latests title, and enough VLK keys to go around the neighborhood. Whats even more funny, is that they will give you more simply by asking.
The majority of Microsofts annual income comes from its corporate partners. Microsoft isn’t hurting for money from the people, and I think the only reason they even try to counter act all the ways people find to activate the operating systems today, is because of cry-baby customers and other corporate relations who have concerns. Regardless, it was proven long ago that SP1 does not work at all against the bios hacks, except maybe 1 or 2 of them. There are over 40 working cracks still out on the net.
Face it, there are more features in Vista that are against the user than for the user. Microsoft released a couple of cleverly disguised updates prior to SP1 that totally crippled Vista for not only OEM customers who obtained their copy when they purchased a new computer, but retail customers as well. Microsoft takes care of its foreign relations first, and people in the UK etc, do not have to worry about those updates crippling their systems anymore, but those updates are still present for American customers. People over seas even have a special version of windows without media player. Talk about service
Joe
Feb 22, 2008 at 8:33 am
@Carl: I believe I have been served! You make a strong argument. Perhaps my view on this issue has been a bit too narrow, the points you raise are worthy of consideration. Thanks for taking the time to respond.
AgentX
Feb 26, 2008 at 4:15 am
Wonder what they shall do the FBI gets the complete directory and registry of the bootleggers hard drive.
Remember kiddies Vista phones home.
Joe
Feb 26, 2008 at 9:09 am
LOL, tinfoil hats on!
Rob-UK
Feb 26, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Todays the day I’m glad not to be a pirate!
Update for Windows Vista (KB940510)
Installation date: ‎26/‎02/‎2008 23:55
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Important
Install this update to enable Windows Vista to detect software that bypasses product activation and interferes with normal Windows operation.
Good luck
Skofdoggy
Feb 29, 2008 at 5:15 pm
LOL, hahahaha
Im so glad to be a pirate ^^
I didn’t ever pay a cent for any software.
I eaven run my zone alarm 7.1 hacked…
And for vista sp1…. Well that wasn’t too hard
to activate for you NOOBS was it?
Jeff
Mar 2, 2008 at 9:02 am
After reading up on this for a bit, Carl and folks like him either work for MS or they are a reseller making money on the OS. IMHO. I bet he has yet to pay for an OS!
notwist
Mar 12, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Carl is an idiot.
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Jun 2, 2008 at 5:27 pm
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