Windows Vista will most likely, just as earlier versions of Windows, be the target of piracy and this is of course something Microsoft wants to minimize. One of the methods, which it started to use with Windows XP already, is to restrain access to some functions. With Windows XP it checks the authenticity of operating system through Windows Genuine Advantage before downloading Windows updates and such, something that has been cracked though. Windows Vista will use a similar system where, among others, the new 3D user interface Aero will only be available for those who have a genuine copy of Vista.
“But before Vista will display its showiest side, known as Aero, it will run a check to make sure the software was properly purchased.
“Those who are not running genuine Windows will not be able to take advantage of the Windows Aero user experience,” a Microsoft representative told CNET News.com on Wednesday. “
We pressume that this is just one out of many tricks Microsoft will use to fight piracy and as long as it doesn’t hurt the usability for legitime users it feels like an interesting solutions. For those who just want the basic version of Vista this is not a problem though; Windows Vista Basic doesn’t support Aero at all.
Source: CNET
