Microsoft updates Vista to block counterfeit copies

Microsoft updates Vista to block counterfeit copies

Software giant Microsoft has issued an update for the Vista operating system as they aim to block counterfeit copies of Vista from working properly.

The company said in a statement on this update: “In the event illegal workarounds or other counterfeit Windows Vista code are posted to the Internet or become available through other means, Microsoft will take appropriate action to protect users from the risks of using counterfeit copies and to protect its intellectual property.”

This update was released through Windows Update and it detects the frankenbuild counterfeit, and then demands a valid activation key.

Alex Kochis of the Windows Genuine Advantage team added in a blog post: “Windows Vista will use the new Windows Update client to require only the ‘frankenbuild’ systems to go through a genuine validation check. These systems will fail that check because we have blocked the RC keys for systems not authorized to use them. In other words, the wrong key is being used. The systems will then be flagged as non-genuine systems and the experience will be what we announced back in October, including losing certain functionality, and the system will have 30 days to activate with a good product key.”