Apologies for the late notice on this but I only just learned of it myself: Microsoft will be releasing “Update for Microsoft Windows (KB971033)” today. This however is not an ordinary update. This one will change the current activation and anti-piracy behaviour of Windows 7 by phoning home every 90 days ( for now ). The purpose is to verify that you aren’t running a pirated copy of Windows and to take actions by changing the behaviour of your PC if it appears that you aren’t now properly authenticated and genuine. This falls under the new banner of Windows Activation Technology ( WAT ).
There are a few things that are worrying about this:
- if you have activated and authenticated your copy of Windows 7 at install or purchase time, why ( and/or how ) would this change over time?
- if your system is compromised and subsequently downgraded by WAT to non-genuine status, what will the affect on the user experience be?
- will a downgraded user lose access to any functionality ( Update: yes, they will not have access to certain future Windows Update )
- how does someone who has been downgraded get genuine again ( and how will it inconvenience them )?
- why should Microsoft have the power to downgrade a user’s copy when that user has legitimately purchased that copy?
The update is due for manual release today and is tagged as “important” therefore will be installed no matter the settings of Windows Update on your machine. You should set your machine to manually download and install updates, and then manually deselect this update for installation. It serves no useful purpose w.r.t. the security or stability of Windows, and in addition opens up a whole can of worms w.r.t. your privacy. If this update gets installed and you are still deemed to be genuine, then you should uninstall this update asap.
While everyone understands that Microsoft has a serious issue with pirating, I don’t think anyone would willingly agree to the unacceptable level of intrusion that Microsoft is forcing on users with this update. We’ve already had major issues with DRM-encumbered music from Microsoft and now comes their chance to not only disable your music, but your entire PC. It’s just not right and you shouldn’t let them.