ITinfo: Windows XP Multiple License Security & Pricing

Microsoft Doesn't Trust You!

They expect you to bootleg their software

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Windows XP Multiple License Security & Pricing

by Dave Murphy
ISSN 1535-3613

Microsoft calls its new anti-theft protection Windows Product Activation (WPA). Microsoft hopes that WPA will prevent bootleg installations (casual copying, as it's politely referred to) of the upcoming Windows XP operating system.

WPA creates a numeric identifier of a PC's hardware by looking at ten different components. The numeric identifier is transmitted to Microsoft along with the product key, the 25-character code found on the Microsoft CD that must be entered during the Windows XP installation. The numeric identifier and character code will be automatically transmitted via the Internet; however, off-line users will have to read both long codes to a Microsoft registration technician over the phone.

If hardware components are changed, Windows XP will automatically generate a new numeric identifier. If the old a new identifiers are significantly different, the PC won't boot. The user will be forced to call Microsoft to explain what they have done and then reinstall the operating system (and all applications and data)

What is significant?

In a PC that has a network card (used for corporate networks, home networks, cable modems, and DSL connections, for example), a significant difference in hardware configuration is:

changing the network card
leaving the network card alone and changing about six other components

In a PC without a network card...

changing three components

Also, OEM vendors selling pre-installed Windows XP systems will have the numeric code tied only to the BIOS of the motherboard. Swapping the motherboard with one from a different vendor will generate a significant discrepancy and require a reinstallation. Changing the motherboard is a common practice with engineers, corporate IS departments, and technically-adept home users..

The 120 day rule

Microsoft today promises that modifications made to the hardware of a Windows XP system at least 120 days after the numeric code is generated won't require a reinstallation of the operating system.

Multilicense Price Break

If you'll be installing Windows XP on multiple systems you can save $8 to $12 dollars on each additional copy by purchasing the additional licenses directly from Microsoft rather than purchasing shrink-wrapped retail copies of Windows XP.

The question IS staffers have is what resale value will a PC have without a transferable Windows XP license and installation CD. Saving $12 up front can actually become a lose of hundreds of dollars if the system can't be sold or donated after three years.

Dave's Opinion

In all cases, a significant discrepancy requires the user to call a Microsoft technician, explain what is being done to the PC and why. The Microsoft technician has the discretion to issue a replacement numeric code or call the software police.

I don't trust Microsoft to play by its own rules. Something's fishy here, I just haven't figured out what it is, yet.

I don't condone bootleg software installations. However, I don't like Microsoft knowing anything about my hardware installation. I consider that a potential security hole. For example the MAC address of our Ethernet network cards can be used in an attack against our network.

I'm going to wait a see about all this Windows XP security stuff -- maybe the U.S. government will get some backbone and put Microsoft's anti-competitive, anti-business practices in their place.

Call for Comments

What do you think? Leave your comments on the message center.

References

Microsoft
Message Center

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updated September 3, 2001
http://dgl.com/itinfo/2001/it010903.html