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"New 'key' mandatory in Windows for updates"
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 3:22 pm
by Grendel
Get ready to register with Microsoft if you want to update your Windows operating system.
In a shift toward greater monitoring of personal computer systems and potentially less copying of software, Microsoft will require users to let the company place a software "key" on their systems if they want the free, regular system updates it provides.
Privacy advocates are concerned, but Microsoft said the system is anonymous and won't be used for anything other than verifying the operating systems' authenticity.
[..]
Starting today, registration is mandatory for anyone seeking updates, such as the updated versions of its media player or graphics program, glitch fixes and other features the company may issue 10 or more times a year. It works with Windows XP and 2000.
Older systems don't require validation for updates.
Security updates are not part of the system. They can still be downloaded free without the validation process.
The system works by identifying unique characteristics of a system and implanting a software key that can be read by Microsoft when updates are requested. The only way to remove the key is to reformat the hard drive, said David Lazar, director of Genuine Windows.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/b ... oft26.html
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 3:44 pm
by snoopy
...And it always kicks back to the same issue: for those of us who build (and update) our own systems, Microsoft will give us a hard time. I don't know, no matter how anonymous it claims to be, it's an issue.
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 5:14 pm
by fliptw
it just means that those who don't own a copy of windows can't try out IE7.
if you are a system builder, or keep an eye on multiple machines, pay attention to this site:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/current.aspx
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 7:53 pm
by roid
i don't use media player or internet explorer.
however they also require keying for DIRECTX updates, which is annoying. but i'm sure i'll be able to get around that.
my windows 2000 is legit, i just don't want to jump through hoops.
i sure am glad they don't require it for SECURITY updates though. that would have been a PR disaster.
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 7:55 pm
by fliptw
getting around DX should be easy - buy a new game.
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 7:58 pm
by Mr. Perfect
As long as this doesn't move to security updates and Direct X can be worked around, then I won't care. It's still a bit insulting though. Isn't activation enough?
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 8:19 pm
by fliptw
Mr. Perfect wrote:As long as this doesn't move to security updates and Direct X can be worked around, then I won't care. It's still a bit insulting though. Isn't activation enough?
Never.
Once IE7 is required to access WU, MS will be happy.
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 8:35 pm
by Grendel
Great -- w/o validation you can't use the Windows Update site anymore. Very inconvinient.
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:18 pm
by Jeff250
Would this "Genuine Advantage" thing stop someone from reusing an otherwise valid key?
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:42 pm
by fliptw
Jeff250 wrote:Would this "Genuine Advantage" thing stop someone from reusing an otherwise valid key?
If microsoft has learned from PA, then it should pretty much prevent it - most like by keeping track of how many ISPs use that key(you really shouldn't be using more than two at a time - assuming it can't tell between a laptop and a desktop), and storing the generated one in a database.
IF MS learned form PA.
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 12:49 am
by roid
you sure xciter?
it wants me to key my legit corporate version of win2k.
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 6:12 am
by BUBBALOU
Old News, and the changes for this started back in june in case you did not notice...
Now the only ones who are going to complain are those that have pirated versions.
These users do have an option to buy a legit license key from Microsoft.
THE FREE RIDE IS OVER!!!!!!
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 7:15 am
by roid
BUBBALOU wrote:the only ones who are going to complain are those that have pirated versions.
no i said
roid wrote:my windows 2000 is legit, i just don't want to jump through hoops.
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:28 am
by Ferno
yay, I get to spend 300 dollars on a piece of software every few years.
joy.
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:36 am
by Krom
Not quite Ferno. You get to spend $300 on a piece of software when there are FREE alternatives on the same market.
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 11:45 am
by Grendel
roid wrote:my windows 2000 is legit, i just don't want to jump through hoops.
x2 for my XP licenses. Hate being forced to install things I can't control. BTW, the "faq" says your "counterfeit" windoze must be purchased prior to May 1st, 05 else you are SOOL .. Oh, and no, the free ride isn't over -- just don't use the tainted keys. Keep in mind this whole thing is to get to the people that disabled the activation or use a (compromised) version/key that doesn't require activation..
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 12:10 pm
by Admiral LSD
Does this apply to this situation as well?
http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/6563.cfm
http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2005/jun/21ms.htm
edit: In any case, this only applies to stuff downloaded through Windows Update right? Are they going to stop letting their stuff get mirrored all over the world then?
For example, Microsoft AntiSpyware is "protected" by WGA yet searching for "MicrosoftAntiSpywareInstall.exe" at a place like
FileMirrors gives you plenty of places to download it from,
including MS's own download servers.
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2005 1:18 pm
by Top Gun
I know that Microsoft is being a royal bastard about requiring this, but I just installed the damn thing anyway. I can't be bothered to go tracking down updates instead of using Windows Update, and as far as I see it, if I already had to activate XP, they probably were doing something similar without telling anyone since then.
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:14 pm
by Admiral LSD
heh, I just found something particularly interesting: Once you've installed the validation tool simply disabling the add-on in IE will allow Windows/Microsoft Update to proceed whether your installation is validated or not. There has to be a catch here somewhere, I can't and won't accept that MS made it this simple to work around.
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 2:08 pm
by Krom
HEH! Amusing.
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 4:25 pm
by Vindicator
Son of a gun, you're right.
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 4:31 pm
by Aggressor Prime
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 4:34 pm
by Admiral LSD
I tried that, it doesn't seem to work as well as disabling the Add-On. Could be because I'm using Microsoft Update (which updates all your MS Software: Windows, Office etc in the one place) and not Windows Update though.
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2005 5:04 pm
by Pugwash
http://hfnetchk.shavlik.com/
HFNETCHK tells you what patches you are misssing so you can go find em.
Posted: Sun Jul 31, 2005 11:32 pm
by fliptw
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 12:06 am
by Krom
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:52 am
by kurupt
Krom wrote:
Nice find, bookmarked.
x2
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 6:56 pm
by Matrix
kurupt wrote:Krom wrote:
Nice find, bookmarked.
x2
x3
Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 7:54 pm
by Pugwash
Matrix wrote:kurupt wrote:Krom wrote:
Nice find, bookmarked.
x2
x3
does it work? anyone used it?
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 11:42 am
by Pugwash
?
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 12:07 pm
by Matrix
ya it worked fine 4 me
Posted: Thu Aug 04, 2005 12:37 pm
by De Rigueur
when I used it, I got a list of updates that was completely different from those I got from regular windows update.
I.e., Windows update found some Outlook Express updates, but WindizUpdate found a couple of drivers. Go figure.