Currently, Microsoft penalizes Windows Vista users that fail to activate their operating system software within 30 days.

Microsoft on Tuesday said it will cease hobbling Windows Vista installations that fail the company’s validation processes in its forthcoming Service Pack 1 update, scheduled for next year.

Currently, Microsoft penalizes Vista users that fail to activate their operating system software within 30 days, or three days after a major hardware configuration change, by restricting Vista to running in “out-of-grace reduced functionality mode.” This denies access to games included in Window Vista and to premium features like Aero Glass, ReadyBoost, and BitLocker. It also limits the amount of time the user can remain logged in to one hour.

A more restrictive state, “non-genuine reduced functionality mode” may also be imposed if the Vista detects a blocked or counterfeit product key, or incorrect or modified activation binary files.

Microsoft characterized its decision as part of an effort to bolster its anti-piracy enforcement by disabling two types exploits used to bypass the Vista activation process. The company attributed the 5% growth of Windows desktop OEM revenue in the past quarter to declining piracy and noted that the piracy rate for Windows Vista is less than half of Windows XP.

Full Story Via InformationWeek

No related posts.