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To: Microsoft Partners
From: Allison Watson
Subject: Important activation changes to Windows Vista
Date: April 27, 2007
As a valued partner and trusted advisor to our customers, I wanted to
re-iterate Microsoft’s commitment to helping protect consumers and
software resellers from the risks associated with pirated software.
Millions of PCs that ship each year end up with non-genuine Windows®
software, which puts you at a competitive disadvantage, and your
customers at risk of a sub-optimal experience.
The significant anti-piracy technologies built into Windows Vista™
software are designed to make the widespread pirating of Windows Vista
more difficult. Now, all customers who deploy Windows Vista must
successfully activate their product using a genuine product key. If a
non-genuine product key is used in activation, customers will experience
reduced functionality and lose certain features, such as Microsoft Aero
and ReadyBoost.
To avoid potential business disruptions and maintain the highest level of
satisfaction with Windows Vista deployments, the most important
activation changes for you to be aware of and to inform your customers
about are:
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1.
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Activation:
In the first 30 days of use, all new installations of Windows Vista
must be activated by the OEM, through Windows Vista volume licensing
technologies, or by the end customer. If Windows Vista is not activated
in the first 30 days, the system will operate in a reduced
functionality mode.
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2.
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Validation:
In order to protect users from being victimized by counterfeit
software, and to protect Microsoft’s intellectual property, Windows
Vista includes ongoing validation. Through validation, if non-genuine
Windows Vista is detected (including non-genuine product keys, cracked
or tampered code) the system enters a 30-day grace period. During this
time Windows Aero and ReadyBoost features are disabled, and Windows
Defender and Windows Update will have limited capabilities (optional
updates will not be available through Windows Update, and Windows
Defender will only remove critical and severe threats). In addition,
during this grace period, a message will appear repeatedly, encouraging
the user to take the steps necessary to activate with a genuine product
key in order to regain the full value of Windows Vista and to prevent
the system from going into a reduced functionality mode.
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3.
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Reduced
Functionality: After the repeated prompts above, and if Windows Vista
is not activated in the 30-day grace period, the system will operate in
a reduced functionality state until a genuine product key is used for
activation. In this reduced state, the user will have access to their
files and applications, and access to the Internet. However, the
desktop will be simplified with only a browser (no Start Menu or Task
Bar) and Windows Vista usage will be limited to one hour sessions, at
which time the user is forced to log off. Additionally, users may boot
the system in Safe Mode in order to access or back-up personal data and
applications.
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I encourage you to communicate early with customers about the activation
changes. For customers that experience reduced functionality, you can
help them resolve this by providing them information about how to
activate their Windows Vista properly or enable them to purchase a
genuine copy.
Learn
more to help you discuss this with your customers.
If you serve customers in multiple ways, you may receive a similar
communication from the Microsoft OEM team about these new anti-piracy
changes. Together, we are working to deliver a great Windows Vista
experience for you and for our customers.
Thank you for your business,
Allison Watson
Corporate Vice President
Microsoft Worldwide Partner Group
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