Go to Windows updates anonymously

Would you like to use the Windows Update feature without being forced to register with Microsoft? OK then, this is what you can do:

Launch good ol' Regedit.
Go down to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion.
Look for a value named RegDone. If it isn't there create a new value with that name.
Right click the new value and choose Modify. Make the value 1.
Close Regedit and
Enjoy!

Keeping an eye on things

Unlike Windows XP, Vista will monitor the activation status of the computer even after the initial 30-day period. If the technology later decides that a key is no longer valid, through either a software update or via some other means, it will give the user another 30-day period to rectify the situation. This is where Windows Genuine Advantage comes in. WGA will not throw the machine into full reduced-functionality mode if activation has been completed once. Instead it will disable Aero, ReadyBoost, and Windows Defender, and it will display a persistent notice in the lower right-hand corner of the desktop that reads: "This copy of Windows is not genuine."
WGA is intended to monitor systems for evidence of tampering post-activation. In our estimation, this is in large part because Windows Anytime Upgrade will allow users to add new features to the OS on the fly, Microsoft is keen to protect this feature by watching for post-activation hacks on the system, and the OS will reportedly perform occasional internal checks on itself to search for evidence of tampering.
Cori Hartje, director of Microsoft’s Genuine Software Initiative, made it clear that Microsoft intends to use this technology in additional Microsoft products at a later time. Hartje cited a Business Software Alliance report on piracy which claims that there were losses of $35 billion across the software industry due to piracy.
As we have reported before, Microsoft's primary concern at this point is stopping both casual piracy and counterfeiters. I know from conversations with people inside the company that there are conflicting approaches to how to deal with this problem, but no one is under the illusion that that SPP, WPA, or WGA is going to completely eliminate piracy. The company is interested in continuing to build tools that make it difficult and inconvenience to be a pirate, however.

Anti-piracy at installation

As with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Longhorn Server will both feature newly revamped versions of what we've come to know as Windows Product Activation (WPA). After installation, users will have 30 days to "activate" Windows, by which Microsoft means that users will have to provide a product key to fully unlock the OS. If a user fails to supply a valid key in that timeframe, Windows Vista will respond with a new set of options:
Reduced Functionality Mode: this allows minimal use of the OS until it is validated. Microsoft has not disclosed full technical details, but they have indicated that the web browser (presumably IE) will work for about an hour before interrupting the session and forcing you to log off. Additional limitations are described below.
Buy a key online: hop online, buy a new key, and you're done.
Phone in for activation: instructions on how to activate over the phone rather than the Internet.
Enter your key: Oops, it was under the coffee table book the whole time.
Notably, Microsoft is adamant that these technologies "cannot and will not turn off your computer."
Reduced functionality mode will also disable Aero, the new Windows Vista interface, and any "Premium" or "Ultimate" features of the OS will be completely locked down. Additionally, users will only be able to obtain security updates marked as "critical." Other downloads and updates will not be available.
This anti-piracy mode will also disable other installed applications such as Office, making it impossible for a user to edit documents. Users can view documents by using the web browser, but Microsoft has essentially designed the system to prevent "read/write" access. The general approach is quite clear: reduce the computer to a web browsing station and make it inconvenient to be a pirate. Microsoft has not taken the extra step and simply disabled the computer entirely, apparently in an effort to court users trapped by counterfeiters. It also has ostensible public relations benefits stemming back to the days of the WGA phone-home scandal.

Possible causes of WGA validation failure

When a system fails WGA validation, users are frequently surprised and upset.Often, users have no idea that their copy of Windows is counterfeit. The most common situation is what we call the "repair shop" scenario. In this scenario, a genuine Windows user takes their PC to be repaired. Unbeknownst to the customer, the repair shop installs an unlicensed copy of Windows. The customer has no idea that this happened. In this situation, Microsoft can provide an authorized letter that the customer can print and take back to the repair shop to resolve this issue.Another very common scenario is someone who buys a new PC from a dishonest business that charges them for genuine software but installs a pirated copy. The user knows they have paid for their copy of Windows, but they are actually running pirated software. When WGA alerts them to the use of counterfeit software, the user might feel confused or think the WGA test is inaccurate when, in fact, they have been taken advantage of by the business from which they acquired the counterfeit copy. Microsoft is working hard to educate customers to insist upon genuine Windows. We are also working with our legal and investigative teams to help identify resellers who deal in counterfeit and pirated Windows, thereby protecting our honest partners.Additionally, customers who believe they have been victimized by software piracy can submit their counterfeit copy of Windows to Microsoft for evaluation and may be eligible for a complimentary replacement.While a false positive is possible, it is extremely rare. Across over 200 million WGA validations, we have identified only a handful of false positives. Almost all of these were due to data entry errors that were quickly corrected and only occurred for a short period of time.WGA and recent lawsuitsAt the end of June, two class action lawsuits were filed against WGA. We will use the legal process to respond in detail to the claims made in these suits and are confident that the allegations are without merit.WGA and spyware concernsNo part of Windows Genuine Advantage is spyware. Broadly speaking, spyware is deceptive software that is installed on a user’s computer without the user’s consent and has some malicious purpose. WGA is installed with the consent of the user and seeks only to notify the user if a proper license for Windows is not in place.WGA ResourcesTo learn more about WGA, visit the following sites:Alex Kochis – Senior Product Manager WGA - BlogMicrosoft Genuine Advantage FAQMicrosoft Genuine Advantage Privacy StatementWindows Genuine Advantage Forums (English Only)About Windows Genuine Advantage NotificationsFor Windows Vista, Microsoft is rolling out a new version of its Windows Genuine Advantage anti-piracy program, complete with a new name: the Windows Software Protection Platform. This time, they mean business.Technically, it's not a kill switch, but it's arguably a near-death experience for your PC.Let's call it WGA Plus, shall we? The Plus means this software, which is baked into Windows Vista, is even more aggressive about detecting and blocking what it considers software that is running with unauthorized license keys or has been tampered with. And woe be unto you if you get snagged in the WGA - sorry, SPP dragnet while running Vista. If that happens on a premium version of Windows Vista, you'll first lose access to key features, including the Aero interface, ReadyBoost performance enhancements, and Windows Defender antispyware detection. Eventually, if you don't deal with the problem, the measures get more severe and you're kicked into "reduced functionality mode":Reduced functionality mode in Windows Vista will allow the user to use the browser after the reduced functionality mode has begun. Reduced functionality mode can occur as a result of failed product activation or of that copy being identified as counterfeit or non-genuine. In most cases customers will be able to correct this situation quickly with the options provided. With the tools in place for OEMs, and small to large customers, we expect that most customers should never be affected by having a non-genuine installation. Microsoft denies that this is a "kill switch" for Windows Vista, even giving it a separate question and answer in its mock interview announcing the program. Technically, they're right, I suppose. Switching a PC into a degraded functionality where all you can do is browse the Internet doesn't kill it; but it's arguably a near-death experience. The accompanying white paper describes the experience in more detail:By choosing "Access your computer with reduced functionality," the default Web browser will be started and the user will be presented with an option to purchase a new product key. There is no start menu, no desktop icons, and the desktop background is changed to black. The Web browser will fully function and Internet connectivity will not be blocked. After one hour, the system will log the user out without warning. It will not shut down the machine, and the user can log back in. Note: This is different from the Windows XP RFM experience, which limits screen resolution, colors, sounds and other features. [emphasis added]My head practically exploded when I read this sentence describing the new, improved punishment regimen: "Windows Vista will have a reduced functionality mode but one that is enhanced." Enhanced reduced functionality? Orwell would be proud.At first glance, this program looks like WGA, repackaged and renamed. So I asked Thomas Lindeman, Microsoft's Senior Product Manager for the Software Protection Platform, to explain what's new. "The Software Protection Platform is a set of technologies we've been working on for several years," he told me. It includes "anti-tampering, anti-reverse engineering, and activation components consisting of . activation servers and a client service running on the PC." With SPP, according to Lindeman, other tools can call the same APIs, making activation and validation technologies available to any Microsoft program, even games like Flight Simulator.With SPP, life's going to get more difficult for corporate customers using volume license keys (VLKs). Stolen VLKs have been the bane of Microsoft's existence in the XP era, because pirates use them to install copies of Windows and Office that don't have to be activated. Corporations using Vista with VLKs will have to activate them, 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). The new program is called Volume Activation 2.0, and you can read more details in this white paper).What's most distressing about the SPP announcement is Microsoft's continued insistence that its anti-piracy tools are nearly perfect and that innocent victims never suffer from errors in their code. The press release includes this snippet, for example:Customers will be able to easily determine the status of their Windows Vista installations. In the System Properties panel of the Windows Vista Control Panel, Windows Vista will display the genuine status of the installed copy of Windows Vista. From there, and from any screen notifying users of a failed validation, a user will be able to obtain more information on why the copy of Windows is not genuine, as well as resources for getting a genuine copy.See that? Not whether but why the copy of Windows is not genuine. And not resources for getting assistance, but for "getting a genuine copy." In other words, paying Microsoft.The most chilling part of SPP is its new code to detect tampering. As Lindeman explained to me, "If the Software Protection Platform determines that the core binaries of your system have been hacked with, you will get a notification that operating system has been tampered with. Reinstallation is the remedy." And the clock starts ticking immediately. When an anti-tampering warning first appears, you have three days to reinstall or otherwise fix your copy of Windows Vista or shift into reduced functionality mode.Microsoft insists that "most customers should never be affected by having a non-genuine installation." That reassurance would be a lot more comforting if there wasn't already a solid base of failures in its current WGA program.And in the sort of irony that invariably goes hand in hand with hubris, a wave of new problem reports have begun appearing on the official Microsoft WGA Validation Problems forum from corporate customers reporting that legitimate VLKs for Windows XP are suddenly being blocked. Read more details in this follow-up post.Windows Vista has new Reduced Functionality ModeBy Ken Fisher Published: October 04, 2006 - 09:12AM CTWindows Vista will ship with anti-piracy technology that will lock down the OS if it has not been activated within 30 days of first use, Microsoft announced today. If the OS is not activated, Windows will switch to a reduced functionality mode that will cripple the OS. This is but one of many planned features of Microsoft's new Software Protection Platform (SPP), shared by both Windows Vista and the forthcoming Longhorn Server, due sometime late next year (at the earliest).

Genuine applications for Windows Vista

Benefits of Genuine Windows:* Capabilities You ExpectGenuine Windows has the capabilities that help you enjoy a rich and complete computer experience. With Windows Vista™, there are features that are only available to customers running a genuine copy. These include Windows Aero™, which offers a rich visual interface and innovative ways to help navigate your desktop, and Windows ReadyBoost™, which can help speed up your computer using easy-to-find USB 2.0 memory devices.* Confidence and Peace of MindGenuine Windows is supported by Microsoft or a trusted partner and helps protect against the risks of counterfeit software.* Ongoing ImprovementsGenuine Windows provides access to future updates and enhancements from Microsoft including Windows Update and the full functionality of Windows Defender– helping ensure your computer experience is up to date and more secure.In addition to the benefits enjoyed by all genuine Windows users, genuine Windows can provide the following benefits for enterprise customers:* Enable protection and management of customer-specific keys through new and enhanced management tools and services.* Ease software asset/license management efforts through trusted license store and public APIs.* Reduce the risk of running tampered software in the managed environment.* Enhance management control on corporate IT assets for better compliance.Top of pageAdvantages of WGAIn addition to having the confidence that you are using a copy of Windows that is licensed and fully supported by Microsoft or a trusted reseller partner, genuine Windows customers can take advantage of:* Downloads from the Microsoft Download Center.* The latest updates for Windows from Windows Update.* Special offers, including downloads, special promotions, and discounts. For more information, see Windows Genuine Advantage Special Offers.Top of pageWGA for Windows VistaBuilt on the experiences of WGA for Windows XP, Microsoft was able to integrate the WGA experience into Windows Vista. New technology makes piracy harder and helps protect customers from the risks of counterfeit software while protecting Windows Vista from tampering, counterfeiting, and other abuses. It changes how Windows Vista validates as genuine, activates, and behaves when tampered with or hacked.Activation is a process by which Microsoft determines whether or not a product key is being properly used based upon the software license associated with it. Users are required to complete activation within the first 30 days of using Windows Vista. Completing the activation process allows a user continued access to regular Windows Vista functionality while ensuring that their product key is not being misused. Learn more about activation in Windows Vista.Validation is a process that allows you to verify that your copy of Windows is genuine. Microsoft will ask you to validate Windows when requesting a genuine Windows download from the Microsoft Download Center or Windows Update and to validate Office when requesting a genuine Office download. Learn more about validation in Windows Vista.Top of pageWGA for Windows XPThe WGA program for Windows XP was launched July 2005 to provide an improved experience for consumers using genuine Windows XP and to help Microsoft address software piracy. The WGA program consists of two major components, WGA Validation and WGA Notifications. Validation helps determine whether the copy of Windows XP installed on a computer is genuine and licensed. WGA Notifications reminds users who fail validation that they are not running genuine Windows XP and directs them to resources to learn more about the benefits of using genuine Windows XP software.You will be prompted to validate your copy of Windows if you request a genuine Windows download from the Microsoft Download Center. The validation process is easy, only takes a few moments to run, and once completed, allows you to access genuine Windows downloads more quickly in the future. Learn more about validation.Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications is a program that helps Microsoft fight software piracy and helps you validate that the copy of Microsoft Windows XP installed on your computer is genuine and properly licensed. If your copy is not genuine, WGA Notifications will provide periodic reminders to help you take the appropriate action. It's part of Microsoft's commitment to fight software counterfeiting and help you avoid problems before they happen. Learn more about WGA Notifications.For more information about WGA for Windows XP, visit the Genuine Microsoft Software FAQ.Top of pageMore Questions About WGAYou can find some answers to common questions about WGA on this page. More information is available on the pages linked from the WGA for Windows Vista and WGA for Windows XP sections above. You can find answers to many additional questions by visiting the Genuine Microsoft Software FAQ.How can I tell if my copy of Windows is genuine?To help you verify that you are using genuine Windows, Microsoft offers two quick and easy online processes called activation and validation. Activation is a feature of both Windows XP and Windows Vista that allows Microsoft to help protect your 25-character product key (located on the Certificate of Authenticity and the proof of license label) against possible unauthorized activation and validation attempts. Activation is required within the first 30 days of using a new copy of Windows. Validation is also a feature of both Windows XP and Windows Vista. Validation is run from time to time, typically when you download an update or enhancement from Microsoft, takes only a few moments, and helps confirm that your system is activated and your license has not been compromised.Will I be asked to provide personal information?Microsoft values your privacy, and we do not use any information collected with WGA to identify you or contact you. We will not ask you for personal information, such as your name or email address. For more information about the genuine Windows privacy policy, see the Privacy Statement.What if there’s a problem?If there is a problem with your validation, you will be given simple options to fix it. For example, Microsoft can help you by offering:* A detailed description of the cause of the problem. For example, you may have accidentally received a product key that was reported as lost or stolen by its original owner. Or sometimes, during a repair or reinstall, an invalid product key is used if the original product key is not readily available.* A replacement key or replacement copy of Windows. If you are a victim of software counterfeiting, you may qualify for a complimentary replacement copy.How can I help?Educate yourself about software piracy and learn how to protect yourself. When you purchase a new computer or bring your computer in for repair, be sure to ask for genuine Windows. If you believe you’ve been a victim of software counterfeiting, report it. By reporting counterfeiting you may qualify for a complimentary replacement copy of the software and the information can be used to help protect others.Where can I find more information?See the Genuine Windows FAQ for more information about Windows Genuine Advantage, Windows validation, and more. If you’d like to learn about support options, you can contact Microsoft for further assistance.What is WGA Notifications?Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications is a program that helps Microsoft fight software piracy and helps you validate that the copy of Microsoft Windows XP installed on your computer is genuine and properly licensed.By confirming that your copy of Windows XP is genuine, you can take advantage of all the capabilities, support, and continuous improvements—as well as the peace of mind—that come with using genuine Windows. If your copy is not genuine, WGA Notifications will provide periodic reminders to help you take the appropriate action. It's part of Microsoft's commitment to fight software counterfeiting and help you avoid problems before they happen. Launched in July of 2005, the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program was designed to deliver additional benefits to fully licensed customers of Windows, help protect honest businesses from counterfeiters, and help Microsoft better protect its intellectual property and combat Windows piracy. WGA is one of many programs Microsoft uses to address the problem of software piracy.In June of 2006, Microsoft expanded Windows Genuine Advantage to include a service called WGA Notifications. WGA Notifications was created to alert people using a non-genuine copy of Windows that they might be victims of software piracy and to help them resolve the issue.WGA and data collectionNone of the information collected by WGA will be used by Microsoft to personally identify or contact you. To help you validate your software, the WGA tools must collect a certain amount of configuration information from your computer. The data collected includes:* Computer make and model.* Version information for the operating system and software using Genuine Advantage.* Region and language setting.* A unique number assigned to your computer by the tools (Globally Unique Identifier or GUID).* Product ID and product key.* BIOS name, revision number, and revision date.* Volume serial number.For more information about how this data is collected and used, see the document entitled Technical Market Bulletin on Product Activation in Windows XP found in the Additional Information section of the Microsoft Product Activation page.In addition to the configuration information above, status information such as the following is also transferred:* Whether the installation was successful.* The result of the validation check.As standard procedure, your Internet Protocol (IP) address is temporarily logged when your computer connects to a WGA website or server. These logs are routinely deleted.We use the information to:* Help prevent improperly licensed use of the software.* Improve our software and services.* Develop aggregate statistics.