More on Windows Activation
Microsoft's attempts to protect its intellectual property and enforce licensing agreements have drawn much controversy. After reviewing comments to the initial BetaNews interview with Allen Nieman, Product Manager of Activation at Microsoft, we have decided to clear up some lingering confusion. The issues of OEM licensing, possible abandonment of Microsoft software, product obsolescence, and Microsoft's unequal treatment of customers based on regional differences are discussed.
BetaNews: What happens to Windows XP users when the product is no longer supported, will the registration servers still exist?
Allen Nieman: I've seen this question come up before with respect to our OS lifecycle policies. Yes, the activation servers will exist after the product is no longer technically supported.
BN: What happens if a user purchases a computer with an OEM license, and changes hardware within that computer. Will the user have invalidated the OEM license and be forced to purchase a new copy of Windows or will Microsoft provide a new activation code?
AN: Hardware can be upgraded in an OEM PC, just as in a home-built PC. That's acceptable. There's no problem with that.
BN: Does Microsoft foresee companies and possibly individuals switching to non-Microsoft products (like Linux) to avoid the possible headaches of product activation?
AN: Microsoft firmly believes that activation will be such a non-issue that it will not enter into the buying decision for users. Our goal is for it to be easy to complete and unobtrusive. I honestly believe that it really is easy and unobtrusive and that the reactions of many are unfortunately due to inaccurate Internet postings and speculation. For companies, activation should be a complete non-issue since most companies acquire their licenses from Microsoft through one of Microsoft's volume licensing programs, which will not have activation.
BN: If a user has multiple machines, will they need to buy separate copy of Windows for each computer? After all, Microsoft is pushing home networking functionality included in Windows XP - will volume licensing for home users be an option? If a CD-Key is used several times on different machines in a household what action will Microsoft take, if any?
AN: For Windows 9x and Windows 2000, a separate license for each computer is required. While licensing for Windows XP has not yet been set, I would not expect Windows XP licensing to be significantly different from Windows 2000 or Windows 9x licensing. That said, again final licensing has not been set and we are investigating a number of licensing options.
You're right, Windows XP has some great home networking functionality and Microsoft sees it as being incredibly useful for helping users get home networks setup and continuing to run them. And that's just one of the great reasons why people should buy it.
Because activation is completely anonymous, Microsoft would not know if an activation is occurring in someone's home or any place else. To use Windows 2000 licensing as an example - where a license allows for use on one PC - each key could be used for activation on a single PC. A single CD-key could not be used on different PCs without someone calling Microsoft to get an additional activation.
BN: Will full anti-piracy measures be implemented prior to RTM, or will the final build represent the high of IP protection?
AN: The final build will represent the height of IP protection in Windows XP.
BN: Given that much of the activation process takes place server side, will altering system files such as oobeutil.js and winlogon.exe produce a 'dead end' for crackers?
AN: While the activation process for the user is designed to be quite simple, the activation process technically is quite complex by design to make it more difficult to crack. Certainly if you altered all the right system files at all the right times and in all the right places one could produce a crack. The goal of IP protection technologies is the make them difficult to crack, make any cracks that are created difficult to distribute, and do all that while not alienating your customer base with difficult processes. That's one reason why we are making product versions available to our volume licensing customers that do not require activation.
BN: Will academic and targeted international versions of Microsoft products include a more stringent activation process than regular retails and OEM versions shipped to customers? If not, will Microsoft leave that option open based upon the frequency and success of circumventing IP schemes?
AN: Yes, different markets may contain different IP protection policies due to any number of reasons including the customer base themselves, local laws, customs, and piracy situations. An example is again with the volume licensing customers noted above.
BN: Thank you again for your time, Mr. Nieman.