Tuesday, July 8th 2014
Microsoft to Revamp Activation System with Windows 9
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.
Source:
BetaNews
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.
87 Comments on Microsoft to Revamp Activation System with Windows 9
There are even few advantages:
also, pirated software will never trigger an OS to think its pirated anyway, so its totally a moot point.
I own Win XP 64 Genuine, Win 7 64 genuine, Win 8 64 genuine, and i will continue the support because that's the way it should be.
It is more typing or time but i also would see that as an improvement compared to now.
During my times with any Windows newer than XP I have never had issues with activating. I have had problems with stuff downloaded from H4xx000rrrlulzbay though, but legit stuff? Never. Worst case I have to activate it with the automated phone system, which really is not a big deal.
On topic though; if they make it clear how things work I really don't see a problem. There will probably be problems with communication though, that was the biggest flaw in Windows 8. And as long as there still are retail licenses it's fine by me. It just sounds like they are enforcing the EULA. Family packs better have a good price.It will probably happen, but WAY less than it does now with all the people living in chaos without backups.
Social engineering can be another way around activation. Windows can get pretty inexpensive if you can split it a few ways.
Continuing a topic from above, Steam-like DRM doesn't seem too bad to me. I like the idea that you just install the OS, no activation to worry about, then you buy the right to log in on your account. It seems to me like that will stop the "I've reformatted and now I can't activate" issue.
And this is why this is done btw. "Social engineering" is a perfectly normal way around a user agreement we agreed to when installing the software.
You buy a disc, run the disc, then get forwarded to a Microsoft website where you then get a key, input key, then you have always on DRM there after.
Okiedokie
You're probably thinking of the old Win7 loaders. KMS doesn't need anything special.
#SoOffendedRightNow #StopOppressingDisks #SinceWhen
I've gone through the automated phone activation once and even then the motherboard wasn't the same :laugh: It was when I upgraded from my UDH3 to my current UP7 board. I was ready to use another of the $15 W8 keys I had got but tried with the one I had already used and it worked just fine.
I've had multiple fresh installs of windows that were bad over the years. They would bsod and act quirky right after install. Reload again and it would work fine for several years. It's just shoddy software. Always has been and always will be.