Microsoft to Revamp Activation System with Windows 9

[btarunr]

Microsoft is expected to introduce a radical new software activation system with its next major release of Windows, in a bid to stem piracy. According to BetaNews, citing a Russian source with a reasonably good track-record in leaking stuff out of Redmond, the company is planning to do away with software keys, 16-character alphanumeric passwords unique to each copy of the software, which let you prove the validity of your purchase, and unlock the software. The next Windows will use a system in which having a Microsoft Store account - which isn't necessarily the same as a Microsoft Account - is mandatory, and acquiring machine-specific images of the Windows installation disc from the store.

The way we understand it, it works like this. After paying for your license while logged into the Microsoft Store, you're made to download a generic install disc image. After its installation, your machine's details (usually just motherboard-related details) are logged with Microsoft, and the software stays activated on your machine. When you need to install your OS on another machine, you untie your current machine from your licence online, and install your software on the new machine. The software will stop working on the older machine, ensuring that only one single-user license is running on a machine at a given time. The concept can be suitably adapted for 3-user and 5-user family licenses.

The same source also goes on to claim that Microsoft's removal of a Start Menu continues to be unpopular, and that its next Windows release - the so called Windows 9 - could bring a highly functional Start Menu back. Microsoft could launch a gargantuan marketing campaign to make sure people are motivated to upgrade from older Windows versions, because they get their Start Menu back. Microsoft could begin talking Windows 9 this fall, with early public and semi-public, pre-retail versions of the OS being circulated.

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[Mussels]

So in other words, they've made it more annoying for end users, to make it more likely they'll just pirate it.


got it.

(i've got legit windows 7 and 8.1 and i've had to crack over the top of both, since they crack the megashits about me changing hardware. my windows 7 laptop deactivated itself because drivers changed the name the APU reported itself to windows device manager, so it assumed i'd pirated windows to another laptop)

 

[MikeMurphy]

Sounds wonderful. In an age of free OS's, we'll make the paid one even more difficult to use.

 

[btarunr]

So in other words, they've made it more annoying for end users, to make it more likely they'll just pirate it.


got it.

(i've got legit windows 7 and 8.1 and i've had to crack over the top of both, since they crack the megashits about me changing hardware. my windows 7 laptop deactivated itself because drivers changed the name the APU reported itself to windows device manager, so it assumed i'd pirated windows to another laptop)

Call the toll-free number, and have them activated.

I keep my legit Windows copies activated the right way (even if I have to put up with excruciating 30-minute phone calls), because that's the only way you can run Windows with UEFI and Secureboot (startup in 5 seconds). Cracked Windows installations only work in legacy/CSM mode.

 

[Mussels]

Call the toll-free number, and have them activated.

I keep my legit Windows copies activated the right way (even if I have to put up with excruciating 30-minute phone calls), because that's the only way you can run Windows with UEFI and Secureboot (startup in 5 seconds). Cracked Windows installations only work in legacy/CSM mode.

the phone call system failed on my laptop. newer drivers than 2012 (APU hybrid crossfire) changed it from a 6K to a 7K, and it broke the OEM key somehow.

 

[TRWOV]

So an Office 365-like activation? I can live with that as long as it doesn't need to phone home excessively. Maybe do the check when you download updates.

Still got 2 W8 keys so I'm in no rush to upgrade, although if they do the $15 thing again I might.

 

[RCoon]

So nobody will bother getting Windows 9? Instead they'll just pay for cheap 7 or 8 keys, because that OS is perfectly serviceable for the near future.

Or at least they'll do that for the first week, until some crack scene group comes in and wipes the floor with microsofts activation system and entirely undermines all their effort. M$ should just stop bothering to waste time and money on that stuff. Pirates are going to pirate something in any way that they can, making activation a little harder isn't going to stop that. capitalise on paying customers that are going to pay and make their lives easier.

 

[Jetster]

I don't see how this is any different

 

[OneMoar]

So nobody will bother getting Windows 9? Instead they'll just pay for cheap 7 or 8 keys, because that OS is perfectly serviceable for the near future.

Or at least they'll do that for the first week, until some crack scene group comes in and wipes the floor with microsofts activation system and entirely undermines all their effort. M$ should just stop bothering to waste time and money on that stuff. Pirates are going to pirate something in any way that they can, making activation a little harder isn't going to stop that. capitalise on paying customers that are going to pay and make their lives easier.

This
also this is not gonna fly in a corporate environment so assuming M$ offers a KMS/MAK activation solution its just a matter of time before someone reverses that or the sdk gets leaked
when will Microsoft learn that anything they do will be patched inside a week

 

[Jetster]

I don't think it will work with OEM also

 

[OneMoar]

the bit about requiring a internet connection to use your pc is gonna go over like a lead balloon filled with cement

 

[cyneater]

M$ have it all wrong.
If windows wasn't crap and was cheaper more people would buy it.

Like many I refuse to buy windows 8 because I think the you need to do acid or some sort of drug to understand it. And yes I know there are shell extensions etc...

Make windows 7 & 8 $40 a copy and piracy problem solved.
And none of this restrictive crap, aka you change a motherboard graphics card you need to reactivate. No wonder people pirate.

 

[btarunr]

the phone call system failed on my laptop. newer drivers than 2012 (APU hybrid crossfire) changed it from a 6K to a 7K, and it broke the OEM key somehow.

If the activation ID input thingie fails, you can always speak to a person, and have them unlock it.

 

[NC37]

So nobody will bother getting Windows 9? Instead they'll just pay for cheap 7 or 8 keys, because that OS is perfectly serviceable for the near future.

Or at least they'll do that for the first week, until some crack scene group comes in and wipes the floor with microsofts activation system and entirely undermines all their effort. M$ should just stop bothering to waste time and money on that stuff. Pirates are going to pirate something in any way that they can, making activation a little harder isn't going to stop that. capitalise on paying customers that are going to pay and make their lives easier.

The thing about cracking is it isn't about codes or keys/etc. Its about tricking the OS into thinking it is activated. I've dealt with legit and non legit copies. Both function the same way because as long as the activation software is tricked, there is no reason to constantly check.

This new approach could break this as it sounds like they are linking it to a store account. So kinda like Steam. Forcing the user to sync with the store all the time is the perfect way to make sure a copy is perpetually activated. Trouble is, they will face a lot of flak over this because companies or people on closed networks or those just don't log into the net all the time, will raise a fuss.

This is the same crap M$ got in trouble with on the Xbone. Always on, always connected DRM. This is what publishers and M$ wants to do so I doubt it'll be protested with W9. Trouble comes when, what happens when the activation servers are down or you can't connect to the net? They'll have to have something in place for that, and that is where the hackers will strike. If you can trick Windows into thinking it is in a perpetual offline mode where it doesn't log in to sync, then this DRM is pointless.

M$ can't avoid this because corporate institutions will need enterprise versions which don't require activations. Those will of course be leaked and the hacks will be discovered. Heck my first PC was one a friend gave me that had a copy of XP Corporate on it which meant it could be installed over and over as many times as you needed without activation.

Course this is likely where other OS options will start becoming more popular. Not surprised that Valve went with Linux for Steam OS if they saw this coming. They know this is where the industry is wanting to head and they know it is going to blow up in their faces when people aren't willing to put up with it.

 

[blibba]

I can't imagine that this won't get cracked, and like a lot of other people on here, I'll buy a license and then pirate the OS. When DRM is more and more hassle over time, it's no surprise piracy is becoming a problem for them.

 

[HisDivineOrder]

Count on Microsoft to take one disaster, mostly right the ship by completely regressing to an earlier product's features in time for the next release, then decide to use those older features from the previous product to push a FUTURE product, and finally put an enhanced, more annoying DRM cherry on top for good measure.

Microsoft: Redefining Stupid.

 

[micropage7]

im not sure it will affect to pirated OS, and as usual after it released then you gonna get the activator somewhere soon
i prefer like win xp activation just simple

 

[Prima.Vera]

I bet my 1 year salary that the "scene" guys will crack that shit in less than 1 week! 2 years salary!

 

[Relayer]

So nobody will bother getting Windows 9? Instead they'll just pay for cheap 7 or 8 keys, because that OS is perfectly serviceable for the near future.

Or at least they'll do that for the first week, until some crack scene group comes in and wipes the floor with microsofts activation system and entirely undermines all their effort. M$ should just stop bothering to waste time and money on that stuff. Pirates are going to pirate something in any way that they can, making activation a little harder isn't going to stop that. capitalise on paying customers that are going to pay and make their lives easier.

They'll tie DX12 to it like they've done for a while now to make you upgrade to play the latest games with all the features.

How long do you think it would take for Msft to have a coronary if everyone stopped buying their stuff? A week? A month? Whatever it is, it wouldn't take very long. People will pony up though.

 

[techy1]

piracy is not MS main problem, esspecially in nowdays... do they think that there is no alternatives for PC and for PC in buisness enviroment - that they can pull this one off? if there is alternatives - then F-you MS and go deal on your own with your piracy problem - why I should be involved in your problems (messing around codes, registration, autentification, telephoncalls and god knows what else).

 

[TheMailMan78]

If the activation ID input thingie fails, you can always speak to a person, and have them unlock it.

I agree. Getting a crack for windows that wont bork the install is harder to do than just picking up the phone and doing it right. Takes me less than 10 minutes to do a phone install. 15 if I have to talk to a person. I think for all the tech "savvy" people on here they are either to lazy to use a phone or to ignorant of the OS to know you can just call.

 

[RCoon]

I agree. Getting a crack for windows that wont bork the install is harder to do than just picking up the phone and doing it right. Takes me less than 10 minutes to do a phone install. 15 if I have to talk to a person. I think for all the tech "savvy" people on here they are either to lazy to use a phone or to ignorant of the OS to know you can just call.

I have an Office 365 license for Office Pro that can have 3 users on it. I used it 3 times, it derped out after I had to format my machine, and reinstall everything. Obviously office said it couldn't activate, asked me to call the number. I called it, put in the 32 digit install code, it still said it couldn't activate, and so it would put me through to some human to help me activate it. They guy on the other end of the phone said it wouldn't activate, I'd reached my limit, and hung up.

Feels good to pay for Office Pro and be told I can't use it after 3 reinstalls. The issue is not tech savvy people being lazy, the issue resides with M$ and their activation hoops. I'm out of pocket, therefore I have to pirate my Office software so that I can use what I've paid for.

 

[Mussels]

If the activation ID input thingie fails, you can always speak to a person, and have them unlock it.

everytime i install or update my graphics driver, i have to do it again. every time the time and date resets, i have to do it again.


i'm not saying piracy is the answer - i'm saying microsoft have serious flaws with their current system, and they need to fix that before making it even more restrictive.

 

[Relayer]

everytime i install or update my graphics driver, i have to do it again. every time the time and date resets, i have to do it again.


i'm not saying piracy is the answer - i'm saying microsoft have serious flaws with their current system, and they need to fix that before making it even more restrictive.

Awesome system Msft have there.

 

[TheMailMan78]

I have an Office 365 license for Office Pro that can have 3 users on it. I used it 3 times, it derped out after I had to format my machine, and reinstall everything. Obviously office said it couldn't activate, asked me to call the number. I called it, put in the 32 digit install code, it still said it couldn't activate, and so it would put me through to some human to help me activate it. They guy on the other end of the phone said it wouldn't activate, I'd reached my limit, and hung up.

Feels good to pay for Office Pro and be told I can't use it after 3 reinstalls. The issue is not tech savvy people being lazy, the issue resides with M$ and their activation hoops. I'm out of pocket, therefore I have to pirate my Office software so that I can use what I've paid for.

I would call them back and get a manager. I've installed 360 about a dozen times now without an issue.

everytime i install or update my graphics driver, i have to do it again. every time the time and date resets, i have to do it again.
i'm not saying piracy is the answer - i'm saying microsoft have serious flaws with their current system, and they need to fix that before making it even more restrictive.

I'm willing to bet you have pirated software on your PC.