Microsoft has released an update for Windows Vista designed to detect activation exploits that bypass product activation and that interfere with usual Windows operation. This update is tagged as KB940510.
According to Microsoft "when the update is installed, no functionality of your operating system will be affected. If no exploits are detected, the update silently exits. If exploits are detected, you will be provided a link to a Web site that describes how you can remove the exploits. When the exploits are removed, you may be asked to use a valid product key to activate your copy of Windows. If you do not want to remove the exploits, Windows may disable the exploits and then ask you to use a valid product key to activate Windows."
View: More Information @ Microsoft Support
According to Microsoft "when the update is installed, no functionality of your operating system will be affected. If no exploits are detected, the update silently exits. If exploits are detected, you will be provided a link to a Web site that describes how you can remove the exploits. When the exploits are removed, you may be asked to use a valid product key to activate your copy of Windows. If you do not want to remove the exploits, Windows may disable the exploits and then ask you to use a valid product key to activate Windows."
View: More Information @ Microsoft Support
I don't really see the point in this update, what user is going to remove the exploit themselves?
Emon has a point; just hide the updates...but then again you would never be able to update Vista...well, not through the official updater at least
And how can you be sure it won't be secretly bundled in any other future updates? I doubt they'll just release this thing once and never use it again. If they're smart enough, they'd put it in some other updates as well, since now everyone knows which update (KB940510, according to the article) has this exploit-checker.
http://www.neowin.net/news/main/08/02/23/v...tivation-cracks
http://www.neowin.net/news/main/08/02/23/v...tivation-cracks
Actually no, that post was about how they are going to do it, this is a post that they did with the article from their site.
Thank you for playing.
no? you seem to forget why windows has most of the market share
if programs were made for linux, and it had it better hardware support, then there would be no reason to pirate at all
no? you seem to forget why windows has most of the market share
if programs were made for linux, and it had it better hardware support, then there would be no reason to pirate at all
And how is that Microsoft's fault?
Um, whats the difference whos fault it is? Here's the options for this person (presuming forking money out is not):
(a) use a free OS with limited software
(b) pirate windows with extensive available software
Net result to MS either way - absolutely nothing.
So, what does it matter whether its Microsoft's fault the software isn't available on other OS's?
BTW, this was painless.
LOL
No matter. I'll just enjoy not having to pay money to Microsoft, and Neowin can enjoy having to censor their boards due to being Microsoft's bitch apparently.
Maybe Windows just hasn't performed a recent check yet. Run Windows Update, click "Check for Updates". Should be there.
Maybe Windows just hasn't performed a recent check yet. Run Windows Update, click "Check for Updates". Should be there.
Nope, still not there. I am running Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 (legal OEM version - not cracked). Update still not showing.
I hate Win Activation and prefer the crack it makes things easier, not that I say piracy is great but....
These days though, I just image my computers already activated and will only activate manually when a update requires it or when I must do a clean install and even then it's hardly the end of the world ringing them up.
I can't see how cracking it makes it easier, cause everytime MS fixed it you gotta get a new crack...all that could be avoided if you made a less then 5 min call, I just don't get it. If you format often for whatever reason, perhaps imaging is a better option? saves having to crack it all the time...
These days though, I just image my computers already activated and will only activate manually when a update requires it or when I must do a clean install and even then it's hardly the end of the world ringing them up.
I can't see how cracking it makes it easier, cause everytime MS fixed it you gotta get a new crack...all that could be avoided if you made a less then 5 min call, I just don't get it. If you format often for whatever reason, perhaps imaging is a better option? saves having to crack it all the time...
good idea, i will consider making a backup activated image, what app do you use to image? Thanks for the suggestion.
These days though, I just image my computers already activated and will only activate manually when a update requires it or when I must do a clean install and even then it's hardly the end of the world ringing them up.
I can't see how cracking it makes it easier, cause everytime MS fixed it you gotta get a new crack...all that could be avoided if you made a less then 5 min call, I just don't get it. If you format often for whatever reason, perhaps imaging is a better option? saves having to crack it all the time...
good idea, i will consider making a backup activated image, what app do you use to image? Thanks for the suggestion.
Vista ultimate comes with its own image backup tool, otherwise you can use a 3rd party software Acronis =)
When I reinstall my OSX (Well, to be honest only had to re-install it when I did upgrade to Leopard) I don't have to call them.
When I install Solaris, I don't have to call anyone.
When I install any brand of Linux I don't have to call anyone.
Infact, when I install anything apart from Windows I don't have to call any number or waste my time on useless crap like this.
Hence, the activation is annoying, useless and it really, really doesn't do jack to stop piracy.
When I reinstall my OSX (Well, to be honest only had to re-install it when I did upgrade to Leopard) I don't have to call them.
When I install Solaris, I don't have to call anyone.
When I install any brand of Linux I don't have to call anyone.
Infact, when I install anything apart from Windows I don't have to call any number or waste my time on useless crap like this.
Hence, the activation is annoying, useless and it really, really doesn't do jack to stop piracy.
Actually considering how long it took for any good usablel hacks to become available and usable for Vista it did a pretty good job at stopping piracy, ow that it's easy, they added this update, which isn't aimed at the ones that know they're runnign a pirated version, but at the peopel that don't know.
When I reinstall my OSX (Well, to be honest only had to re-install it when I did upgrade to Leopard) I don't have to call them.
When I install Solaris, I don't have to call anyone.
When I install any brand of Linux I don't have to call anyone.
Infact, when I install anything apart from Windows I don't have to call any number or waste my time on useless crap like this.
Hence, the activation is annoying, useless and it really, really doesn't do jack to stop piracy.
Actually considering how long it took for any good usable hacks to become available and usable for Vista it did a pretty good job at stopping piracy, ow that it's easy, they added this update, which isn't aimed at the ones that know they're running a pirated version, but at the people that don't know.
The first usable hack that I tested was out before Vista was even retail. The fact is hacks for Vista came much faster than a true crack for WGA under XP. By the time Vista was retail there was to hack on torrent sides that would work correctly plus the 2099 hack. Same goes for SP1 there are already two that I know of that work for SP1 RTM which by the way this patch does not detect.
But yes, ultimate does come with its own software.
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