Microsoft to Ramp Up Genuine Advantage Hooks in Vista


microsoft genuine software badgeMicrosoft Watch’s Mary Jo Foley reports that coming this Fall Microsoft “is planning to turn up the Genuine Advantage heat in two ways: By baking more Genuine Advantage checks directly into Windows Vista, and by taking aim at PC makers, system builders, Internet cafes and other sources of potentially pirated software.” Reasoning: Once software is verified to be genuine, OEMs and general users will then be able to take advantage of premium features built into the Windows Vista operating system.

Hmmm. That’s all well and good (sort of), but what’s Microsoft really up to? If you’ve noticed Windows XP routinely likes to call home (if you’re running a firewall app like ZoneAlarm, you’ll get a pop-up when any program wants to access the Internet – I’ve got mine set to permanently deny requests from Windows Genuine Advantage) and it appears now that it will only get worse when Vista arrives. It’s one thing to register and activate your product when its first installed, but to routinely check up on your system… what’s that about?

Resource: Microsoft – Concerned about validation? Get the facts here.


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Alexander Grundner is the Editor & Publisher of eHomeUpgrade. He's been a long time fan of all things “Digital Home” and participates regularly in the tech/startup scene in the Silicon Valley. You can also find him on Facebook, FriendFeed, and Twitter.
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