Windows Vista and Longhorn Server Genuine Windows Product Activation and Validation Tough to Crack with Software Protection Platform
Windows Vista and Windows Longhorn Server feature and incorporate expanded version of Windows Product Activation (WPA) technology in the effort to reduce piracy and illegal counterfeited version of Windows. The new technology, called Software Protection Platform (SPP) will disable key Vista features for non-genuine installations. Another program called Microsoft Volume Activation 2.0 meanwhile will help corporations and businesses to manage and activate Windows with volume license keys (VLK) in order to protect those distributed volume-license product keys from pirates. The Software Protection Platform and accompanying technologies will incorporate into all versions of Windows Vista and Windows Server Longhorn initially, with other Microsoft products such as Microsoft Office Systems will use the platform to some extent.
In Windows Vista and Windows Server Longhorn, users will have to activate their copy of Windows within 30 days. Within these 30 days, users will be reminded to active the Windows product. Users activate the Windows Vista by supplying a valid product key, or using other options such as buying a product key online or obtain the key and perform Windows activation by using phone instead of Internet. Another choice users have is to step down the Windows Vista to operating at “Reduced Functionality Mode”. Anyway, if you purchase your PC or notebook with Windows Vista installed from companies such as Dell, Lenovo, Hewlett-Packard and Gateway, the Windows Vista operating system comes installed and activated, requiring no further action from end-users.
So what will happen in Reduced Functionality Mode (RFM) ? In Reduced Functionality Mode or “ugly mode”, customers that use non-genuine or unlicensed versions of Windows Vista will not have an enhanced set of features that customers that use genuine, activated and validated Windows Vista product can expect and get. Among the features disabled or restricted in pirated Windows Vista RFM are:
- Enhanced Windows Vista interface “Aero” will be disabled.
- ReadyBoost which allows usage of flash memory to improve system system performance will be disabled.
- Only partial functionality of Windows Defender will be available.
- Extra optional downloads and updates from Windows Update will be unavailable, with the exception of critical security updates.
- Unable to download from Microsoft Download Center.
- Installed applications, such as Microsoft Office, will be disabled.
- Ability to use and operate web browser (i.e. Internet Explorer) for just one hour before session been interrupted and been forced to log out without warning, although user can login again.
- Unable to directly open documents from the computer desktop, although access to documents on the hard drive are still permitted.
- No start menu.
- No desktop icons.
- Desktop background color is changed to black.
In short, if you choose not to activate your Windows Vista by choosing “Access your computer with reduced functionality”, the default web browser will be launched and gives the user with an option to purchase a new license product key. The web browser is fully functional with full access to Internet, and that’s all about it. You can do whatever you like on Internet (except of course on Microsoft websites). This allows only minimal use of the OS until it is validated. And, every 1 hour, you will get interrupted to log-in again.
Beside, unlicensed and unvalidated copy of Windows Vista will have one additional feature that will display a persistent statement or notification message in the lower right corner of the desktop space that contains the message “This copy of Windows is not genuine”.
If you successfully active your Windows Vista, congratulations, but don’t be happy yet. With Windows Vista, the activation isn’t permanent. Even if a genuine code is entered, Windows Vista will check the product key anytime in order to check against any tampering, including when other Windows software is installed, with Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA). WGA will continually monitor the status of the user’s activation product key. If WGA decides that the Windows installation is no longer valid, counterfeit or non-genuine, or the product key has been blocked due to product key has been abused, stolen, pirated, seized as a result of anti-piracy enforcement efforts, is disabled beta or test keys, has manufacturing errors in the keys or if the keys have been returned, users may be asked to reactivate their copy of Vista again, and will be granted another 30 days to verify their installation.
However, WGA will not lock the system into full reduced-functionality mode or the “read-only” lockdown mode as mentioned above if activation has been completed once. Instead, only Aero, ReadyBoost, and Windows Defender will be disabled, and a persistent onscreen notification notice about non-genuine of installed version of Vista is displayed above notification area (system tray).
Another component of Software Protection Platform is Microsoft Volume Activation 2.0 which is a policy-based utility to helps corporations and businesses who are using volume license keys (VLKs) for Windows Vista and Windows Server Longhorn to protect, deploy and manage their distributed volume license keys in managed and non-managed environments. Previously, VLKs that are stolen, or associated with theft, leakage and illegal use are publicly available, and if it happens again on Windows Vista, users can use the VLK to active Vista one to prevent reduced functionality or install copy of Windows Vista that don’t have to be activated. With Windows Vista, corporations using VLKs will have to activate using either a Multiple Activation Key that allows a limited number of activations, or a Key Management Service running on a Windows domain which will require periodic reactivation.
Another change for licensing method of Windows Vista to make cracking and hacking of pirated Windows Vista harder is on OEM suppliers who buy bulk licenses of Windows. Compared with previous practise where a single universal activation is provided so that OEMs can use on unlimited copies, where the key was stored unencrypted on a server and subjected to stealing and theft, whereas now a unique key is used for each copy of the Windows Vista OS.
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Entries (RSS)
November 14th, 2006 23:11
what is the activation code of window vista beta 1
November 16th, 2006 23:13
[...] With just a few days after officially released to manufacturing (RTM), Windows Vista is widely distributed on the web, and any users with BT clients such as BitComet can download Windows Vista final release with built 6000 (Windows version 6.0.6000). Windows Vista users will need a valid RTM product key in order to activate the installed Vista in order to avoid computer been locked out into reduced functionality mode. However, Windows Vista comes with a “trial” or “demo” evaluation mode that allows users to use Windows Vista with full features and functionalities with access to Windows Update for up to 30 days without the need to activate the OS. To install Windows Vista as trial demo or evaludation copy, DO NOT key in and type any product key when prompted during the Vista installation, so that Vista will be installed with default Microsoft key. Note that if any invalid or leaked Vista RTM product key is used, you will only have 3 days (or 14 days for pre-RTM product keys) to activate the Windows Vista operating system installed on your computer. [...]
November 16th, 2006 23:18
[...] Enjoy Windows Vista before Microsoft closes this pirate loophole via Windows/Microsoft Updates or Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation test. [...]
December 16th, 2006 00:42
[...] If you’re using WPA files from Windows Vista RC build to replace the same files in Windows Vista RTM build to create a hybrid as a workaround to bypass Windows Vista activation, your honeymoon won’t last too long. Microsoft has announced that it will releasing an update via Windows Update that will stop piracy monster of so called ‘frankenbuild’ Windows Vista, which has the Vista activated by cobbling the RC and RTM build files and use release candidate product key to activate the Vista. Windows Vista will use the new Windows Update client to require only the “frankenbuild” systems to go through a genuine validation check. These systems will fail that check because we have blocked the RC keys for systems not authorized to use them. In other words, the wrong key is being used. The systems will then be flagged as non-genuine systems and the experience will be what we announced back in October - including losing certain functionality (e.g. Aero, ReadyBoost) and the system will have 30 days to activate with a good product key. If they don’t produce a new product key within 30 days, they will then only be able to access their system in what we call reduced functionality mode - a mode which limits their use to one hour with their default web browser. [...]
December 17th, 2006 17:28
[...] Windows Vista Validation Update (KB929391) has just been released and deployed to Vista computer that are what called by Microsoft as “frankenbuild” system that use the workaround of mixing files from RC and RTM build to activate the Windows Vista. As there is no official retail or OEM version of Windows Vista on sale in market yet, so practically all Vista installation by personal or home users is likely to be activated with pirate or crack methods. Your Vista will be de-activated after this update and with Aero feature disabled. Unactivated Windows Vista will go into reduced functionality mode once the activation grace period expired, where Vista will provide only limited usablity. So if you want to continue using Windows Vista at least until theoretical expiry date of RC1 or RC2 product key in mid 2007, there a few methods that you can try. [...]
December 20th, 2006 18:10
[...] Hackers are going all out to crack Windows Vista activation procedure which is enhanced by Software Protection Platform (SPP). Until now, Microsoft has an upper hand, with no permanent or foolproof ways to crack or bypass Windows Vista activation request emerged. Instead, various workarounds and tricks to bypass, skip, delay, disable or spoof Vista activation has been suggestion, to various degree of success, such as extend evaluation period, rearm method, install Vista in future year, ‘frankenbuild’ Vista by replacing RTM build WPA files with RC build files, activate against spoofed KMS server, or run and activate Vista with own local KMS server and etc. Now, there is new crack method that able to permanently stop the countdown timer of time left to activate Windows Vista, effectively running Vista OS in full functionality evaluation mode forever. [...]
December 24th, 2006 00:13
[...] If you don’t activate Windows Vista within grace period, or when any grace period is allowed to expire, the computer becomes Unlicensed. An Unlicensed computer runs in Reduced Functionality Mode (RFM), where users has very limited access to the system in one-hour increments, and presents a window containing links to properly license and activate the computer. If the computer falls into RFM from non-Genuine Grace, the user is presented with a window containing links and solutions specific to recovery from non-Genuine RFM. [...]
January 28th, 2007 12:11
[...] Vista has enhanced anti-piracy features Software Protection Platform (SPP) that intends to reduce the number of counterfeit Windows Vista DVDs on the black market and [...]
January 29th, 2007 22:31
[...] Vista has strict anti-piracy and anti-counterfeit feature in the new feature called Software Protection Platform (SPP). Under SPP, Windows Production Activation (WPA) has been upgraded to version 2.0, which [...]
February 23rd, 2007 18:50
[...] The Microsoft website has more information on VA 2.0 (as well as an FAQ) and there’s a My Digital Life article that also has information on the software protection platform (SPP), which is the version of product activation that users who are not subject to volume licence [...]
March 4th, 2007 21:50
[...] Vista incorporates enhance anti piracy feature in the form of Software Protection Platform that incorporates Windows Product Activation (WPA) and Windows Genuine Advantage Validation for [...]
May 8th, 2007 18:33
[...] Marketplace and have access to the software instantly. This may be due to increase confidence on anti-piracy measures built into Vista. But apparently, everyone who purchase the Vista license and product key via [...]
December 5th, 2007 02:47
[...] implemented the harden Software Protection Program (SPP) in Windows Vista as its automatic anti-piracy mechanism. Under SPP, system will go into [...]