Windows Vista : Latest Update KB940510 to Stop pirates

Microsoft has announced an update which will detect two cracks commonly used to activate pirated copies of the operating system. One of the cracks refered to as Grace Timer, extended Vista's activation grace period, upto 2099. The other called as OEM BIOS, modified system files and the PC's BIOS to mimic the product activation done by computer-makers at the factory. If the sniffer detects an activation hack, it will pop up a warning that includes a link to the removal tool. Although SP1 will block these two cracks, "it's important to note that this update does not disable the exploits it finds," says Alex Kochis "It simply alerts customers that exploits exist." However, MS will release a separate crack-removal tool at the same time that it rolls out the detection update.

Update for Windows Vista (KB940510)

Download size: 3.0 MB

You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.

Update type: Important

Install this update to enable Windows Vista to detect software that bypasses product activation and interferes with normal Windows operation.

More information:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=99255

Help and Support:
http://support.microsoft.com

Its actually does turn out to be a main update, and no hidden installation.I think even if you try to cancel/hide the update it does get installed automatically.I hope pirates do not find a way, but if they do, that would be no surprise!

What happens after downloading the update (KB940510)?

It will only detects OEM BIOS and Grace Timer exploits and remove them.

When the update will be installed, no functionality of the system will be affected. If it detects and exploits you will be provided a link that would describes how you can remove the exploits. Once the exploits are removed you will be asked to activate your Windows copy with a valid product key. If you don’t want to remove the exploit then Windows may disable the exploits and then ask you activate Windows using a valid product key (surely there would be a nag screen). This update has no uninstaller.

Check out these screen shots to know how it works:
(Click to Enlarge)


Update : I personally think the system restore should work, just create a restore point just before installing the update. Then see if it works...Please let me know through the comments...Also check activation status too...

I think the hackers will be able to make Windows Vista a freeware again....

You might me intrested here : Windows Vista WGA Changes and SP1 Changelog

Written by ShaDow on February 28th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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