Windows Activation Technologies Update for Windows 7

Noreen · Feb 12, 2010, 11:10:46

This is upsetting members of the American forum to which I belong, they think that it smells of Big Brother. I haven't got Windows 7 myself. http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/genuinewindows/archive/2010/02/11/windows-activation-technologies-update-for-windows-7.aspx

Gary · Feb 12, 2010, 11:18:20

Quote from: Noreen on Feb 12, 2010, 11:10:46
This is upsetting members of the American forum to which I belong, they think that it smells of Big Brother. I haven't got Windows 7 myself. http://windowsteamblog.com/blogs/genuinewindows/archive/2010/02/11/windows-activation-technologies-update-for-windows-7.aspx

TBH Noreen if it stops people using hacked software and putting others at risk, then its a good thing, also MS is just protecting there intellectual rights, Hacked software generally comes with caveats, like you cant update it, or it comes with Trojans in the download package if its done that way, the trouble is when it goes wrong and your legit copy of Windows gets shut down. I think there is no "right" way to do this but most people will never know its even there. And if you buy a PC and its got ripped off software at least you will know someone was doing this illegally and can pursue the issue.

Simon · Feb 12, 2010, 11:31:44

If you're using all legitimate software, I don't see a problem with this either.

Glenn · Feb 12, 2010, 11:33:49

But why have they done this?

QuoteI'd like to stress that the Update is voluntary, which means that you can choose not to install it when you see it appear on Windows Update.

Noreen · Feb 12, 2010, 11:41:57

It's worth reading the Comments on that site.

Gary · Feb 12, 2010, 12:43:17

Quote from: Noreen on Feb 12, 2010, 11:41:57
It's worth reading the Comments on that site.

People get uptight Noreen, like the Apple site, all this madness bout yellow tint (I have it a bit hence new machine when I order in a few weeks) but some are finding that machines a few years old have it even the big Apple cinema screens, no one noticed till they looked, its hard to get a truly perfect screen, or a perfect solution to the activation issue, simply because it does not exist, no one can please everyone and some will see more to a situation that is really there.

Sebby · Feb 13, 2010, 18:26:46

Quote from: Simon on Feb 12, 2010, 11:31:44
If you're using all legitimate software, I don't see a problem with this either.

I absolutely agree, though legitimate users have fallen victim to this in the past. I guarantee that some users of genuine copies of Windows 7 will run into difficulties.

Glenn · Feb 13, 2010, 18:29:03

At work, with a lot of the Vista PC's, they have fallen foul of Windows updates, causing them to be flagged as illegal product keys.

zappaDPJ · Feb 13, 2010, 19:46:48

I've had the same problem at home with legitimately purchased Microsoft software. I don't begrudge them protecting their interests but it should not impact on genuine users.

Rik · Feb 15, 2010, 12:14:44

I always find it ironic that these protection measures hit the legal users while the illegal users simply bypass the whole thing.

Gary · Feb 15, 2010, 14:57:35

Quote from: Sebby on Feb 13, 2010, 18:26:46
I absolutely agree, though legitimate users have fallen victim to this in the past. I guarantee that some users of genuine copies of Windows 7 will run into difficulties.

Considering how many windows users there are, the people that have fallen foul is in a minority, no system is perfect, and I guess its the best they can do. Nothing works perfectly in the world of computers and it never will, but its an attempt to stop fraud and that's better than none.