Windows 7 verification to be less annoying

With Windows 7, Microsoft is making some subtle changes to the ways it tries to thwart piracy -- with the goal of making the process less irritating to paying customers.

As has been the case for some time, Microsoft's strategy hinges on requiring a user to activate -- electronically verify -- their copy of the software. The software also periodically validates that a copy of Windows is genuine.

In Windows Vista, if a user does not activate their software immediately, they get a warning that they still need to do so. The dialogue box offers two options: activate immediately or do so later. The 'activate later' box cannot be checked for 15 seconds, however.

With Windows 7, users can click activate later immediately, but then a dialogue box pops up touting the benefits of activation.

It's the latest effort by Microsoft to scale back the intrusiveness of its technology while still aiming to deter piracy. With the first service pack to Vista, Microsoft made the software significantly more usable to those whose versions of Windows are determined not to be genuine. Before that, Vista systems that were deemed to be hookie entered a nearly unusable 'reduced functionality mode'.

Alex Kochis, director of product management for Microsoft's Genuine Windows unit, said: "We think we've gotten it to a pretty good place where it strikes an effective balance. We're committed to the programme for the long term because it works."

Microsoft said in December 2007 that it was seeing Windows Vista pirated at only half the rate of Windows XP. Kochis said that general trend has continued.

Microsoft is also changing the name of its anti-piracy technology from Windows Genuine Advantage to Windows Activation Technologies. The software maker is also adding technology designed to make it easier for businesses to activate multiple machines as well as manage activation for virtual machines.