Microsoft Genuine Advantage Goes Live

For about a year now Microsoft has been testing the Genuine Advantage program that checks if the license of your Windows system is valid or if it is a pirated copy. This system has been in place for some premium downloads on the Microsoft site and has been used simply to get the idea of which copies are pirated and crack down on companies distributing illegal software.

This system, Windows Geniune Advantage (WGA), is now integrated into the Windows Update site and you will not be allowed to download security patches for your operating system if it is not licensed properly. If you are using a stolen/pirated copy of Windows the system will prevent you from accessing the upgrades and give you two choices:

1. Fill out a piracy report, provide a proof of purchase / receipt, where or from whom you purchased the copy of Windows and you will get a free copy of Windows XP Home or Windows XP Professional.

2. If you only fill out the piracy report (and provide no information leading to how you acquired this illegal software) you will get a 50% discount on the copy of Microsoft Windows XP you are currently using.

“Microsoft has created a program that is fair to customers and reseller partners,” said Michael Cherry, lead analyst, Windows and Mobile, at Directions on Microsoft, an independent firm that provides analysis of Microsoft products and strategies. “While Microsoft is requiring customers to validate, they’re putting their best foot forward to help customers out, in terms of simplifying the process, creating software incentives and offering to help customers replace counterfeit software they acquired unwittingly.” The WGA validation process is designed to be quick and simple. On their first visit to the Microsoft Download Center, Windows Update or Microsoft Update, customers will be asked to participate in WGA. They will be prompted to download an ActiveX® control that checks the authenticity of their Windows software and, if Windows is validated, stores a special download key on the PC for future verification. The validation process does not collect any information that can be used by Microsoft to identify or contact the user.