• Microsoft to Pull Plug on 'Kill Switch'

    Microsoft to Pull Plug on 'Kill Switch'

    Techtree News Staff, Dec 05, 2007 1216 hrs IST

    With the first "Service pack" for Windows Vista forthcoming, Microsoft will pull down an anti-piracy tool known as "Kill Switch" from Windows Vista.

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In order to protect Windows Vista from ongoing counterfeiting threats, Microsoft is using a new tactic that urges consumers -- rather annoyingly -- to buy genuine copies of the Windows operating system (OS).

With the first "Service pack" for Windows Vista forthcoming, Microsoft will pull down an anti-piracy tool known as "Kill Switch" from Windows Vista, which disables the OS when a counterfeit is detected.

The authenticity of the Windows OS is validated by an online tool called 'Windows Genuine Advantage'. In case of counterfeits, the tool can lock the OS from further use. It reduces the functionality mode by suspending a number of features until the user gets a genuine copy.

Instead of the OS locking, users whose systems are identified as counterfeit will now be presented with clear and recurring notices about the status of their system, and how to get genuine copies, every time they login. But, they won't lose access to functionality or features.

There's a possibility that some users with higher tolerance level might not switch to genuine copies; but those who change their mind and decide to opt for genuine Windows will get the Home Basic version for $89 and the Home Premium version for $119.

Meanwhile, the fundamental strategy remains the same. All copies of Windows Vista will still require activation, and the system will continue to validate from time to time to verify proper activation.

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Discussion Board
(7) Comments
Karna
,Mumbai, on Dec 12, 2007 04:06 AM
Open Source Rocks. Left Windows long time Ago. Using Linux and Fedora now. That too on my laptop with tablet pc functionality. It rocks.
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nbl
,mulund, on Dec 06, 2007 03:43 PM
XP sp3 is 10% faster than Vista with its latest sp.. so why go for Vista? its got nothing worth the effort in upgrading.
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sangma
,Calcutta, on Dec 06, 2007 12:40 PM
First of all, no desktop user seems to even want Vista near their PC. Reason being that it makes their system crawl and bring it down to the level of a P2 or P3. Second, the nuances of this new OS make the user feel incapacitated. Third, a user has spent a lot of time figuring xp and all this microsoft buullshit activation will just prompt the user to throw vista away and get back to xp where he feels more in control.
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Paswa
,K-o-l-k-a-t-a, on Dec 06, 2007 08:49 AM
Microsoft can do nothing if user on a pirated vista with OEM volume license mounted on that system. I'm here the same, win update also works fine 4 me..
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Malay Keshav
,New Delhi, on Dec 05, 2007 08:18 PM
What if there are viruses to trick this windows tool into believing a genuine copy of windows is pirated.... The user will be tortured for no good 8|
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Sandeep
,Chennai, on Dec 05, 2007 07:36 PM
initial activation through internet aint such a good idea.the same thing's happening with steam where gnuine customers cannot play bcos of duplicate cd key or other errors.It's really stupid and inadvisable to us the same thing for something as important as essentialas an operating system especially one that is most widely used.It's a really stupid thing to do.
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sukanta
,Pune, on Dec 05, 2007 03:30 PM
puuush.... Microsoft why dont you understand that every attak has counter attack, Vista's readBIOS funtionlity has been creacked. now this "kill switch" will also be cracked. unless you put the price down to some value where piracy is rather unprofitful, then ppl will go for original. I will use pirated software coz I dont want to sell half of my comp price in software.
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