Posted on 03/15/2007 9:42:36 AM PDT by PajamaTruthMafia
Microsoft always says it opposes "software pirates" who sell thousands of unauthorized copies of Windows.
But the Redmond company has made things a lot easier for pirates by adding a line to the Registry that can be changed from 0 to 1 to postpone the need to "activate" Vista indefinitely.
Activation doesn't stop true software piracy
As most Windows users know, Microsoft has required "product activation" since the release of Windows XP in 2001. XP must be activated by communicating with servers in Redmond within 30 days of installation. By contrast, Microsoft Office XP, 2003, and 2007 require activatation before the package is used 5 to 50 times, depending on the version, according to a company FAQ. If a PC has no Internet connection, a user may activate a product by dialing a telephone number in various countries.
(Excerpt) Read more at windowssecrets.com ...
I wonder if this line in the registry is present in Windows XP.
Once again, Microsoft has managed to piss off its actual customers without actually reducing software "piracy."
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
PC. "Cancel or allow"
lol I love that commercial. It should play 24 and 7 365
Yes, there's a simple registry edit that will bypass activation of windows XP.
You might be able to indefinitely avoid activation but can you still get updates from 'Microsoft Update' in that state? That's probably how they will force the activation issue.
That's a good question. Why don't you submit it to Brian on the "contact" page? He often answers questions just like that in his next issue.
I won't ever be using this piece of CPU intensive spyware. So I won't need to worry about activation.
"You are coming to a sad realization. Cancel or allow."
"Allow"
That had me and my wife almost literally ROTFLOL.
Why would someone install it and not activate it???
Why not send the money to me instead?
I'm with you. I specifically purchased a new Workstation just before the conversion to Vista to get XP. I beta tested Vista and it's simply awful on so my levels it shocked me. Same for Office 07. Microsoft is poised for the fall.
Carolyn
The issue really is who Microsoft is trying to stop with this whole activation scheme. It's not pirates, it's average users who want to exercise their "fair use" rights and install the OS on a Home PC and laptop (just like you are allowed to do by law). It's also about the massive burden this scheme puts on corporations who have tens, hundreds or even thousand of PCs to maintain. Again, it doesn't stop pirates but unduly burdens legitimate users in order to squeeze every penny out of them they can, no matter what the law allows.
In their blind greed, Microsoft hasn't yet realized all they've managed to do is give people a reason not to upgrade and to look seriously into alternatives like Linux, Google's on-line office apps and alike. They are killing their own golden goose....
Yes, you can.
I use Eusing Reg Cleaner occasionally. It's free.
Do search for a site to download it. ZDnet or CNet probably.
Easy to run. It gets rid of all those registry problems.
You can 'restore' the deleted registry entries if there is a problem.
If you run it, don't be surprised if it tells you that you have 1000+ bad entries. Deleted software, bad shortcuts, etc. It adds up.
Pings.
Carolyn
I did the same with a desktop. I did buy a Vista box for a family member. Only took me 4 hours to add a drive and get it set up. The same process took about an hour for XP.
I bought a Tablet PC before Vista for same reason [does Vista even come in a Tablet flavour?...its hard to keep track of the umpteen thousand versions of Vista lol] and I suspect it will be my LAST MS OS...now if Mac were to build a tablet [which considering the number of ARTISTS among MacUsers is a perplexing omission to me] then 'the Switch' would be a no-brainer...
Cancel or Allow...love that ad...
ummm Microsoft please 'cancel' Vista...please...before your once-loyal users have to 'allow' Apple to replace you.
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