Windows Product
Activation or WPA is
a license validation procedure introduced by Microsoft Corporation in all
versions of its Windows operating system. WPA was first introduced in Windows
XP and continues to exist in Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, Windows
Server 2008 and Windows 7 as well.
WPA enforces each end user to activate his/her
copy of Windows so as to prevent unauthorized usage beyond the specific
period of time until it is verified as genuine by Microsoft. How WPA really
works was a closely guarded secret until GmbH analyzed WPA using a copy of
Windows XP RC1 and published a paper on their findings.
In this post you will find answers to some of the
most frequently asked questions about Windows Product Activation.
Why activation?
Microsoft’s intention behind the activation is to
limit the usage of its Windows operating system to only one machine for which
the retail license is issued. Any other computer which runs on the same license
must be disallowed from using the software. Hence, WPA demands for activation
of the product within 30 days of its installation so as to ensure that it
is genuine.
What does “Genuine Windows” means?
The copy of Windows is said to be genuine only if
the product key used during the installation is genuine. It means that a given
product key (retail license) must be used to install Windows only on one
computer for which the license was purchased. Thus, if the same key is used for
the installation on another computer, then it is said to be a pirated
copy.
Exactly what information is transmitted during the activation?
When you activate your copy of Windows, you are
transmitting an Installation ID code to
Microsoft either by phone or Internet depending on the method you choose to
activate. Based on this, the Microsoft’s licensing system can determine whether
or not the installed OS is genuine. If it is said to be genuine, then
the system will receive the Activation ID
which completes the activation process. If the activation is done through a
telephone, the Activation ID needs to be entered manually to complete the
activation process.
What information does the Installation ID contain?
This Installation ID is a 50-digit number which
is derived from the following two data.
1. Product ID
– It is actually derived from the 25-digit product key (the alphanumeric value
that is printed on the sticker over the Windows CD/DVD case) that is
entered during the installation of the operating system. The Product
ID is used to uniquely identify your copy of Windows.
2. Hardware ID
– This value is derived based on the hardware configuration of your
computer.
The WPA system checks the following 10
categories of the computer hardware to derive the Hardware ID:
- Display Adapter
- SCSI Adapter
- IDE Adapter (effectively the motherboard)
- Network Adapter (NIC) and its MAC Address
- RAM Amount Range (i.e., 0-64mb, 64-128mb, etc.)
- Processor Type
- Processor Serial Number
- Hard Drive Device
- Hard Drive Volume Serial Number (VSN)
- CD-ROM / CD-RW / DVD-ROM
How is the Installation ID validated?
The Installation ID needs to be validated to
confirm the authenticity of the installed copy of Windows. So, after
the Installation ID is received by Microsoft, it is decoded
back so as to obtain the actual product key and the hardware details of
the computer involved in the activation process.
The Microsoft’s system will now look to see if
this is the first time the product key is being used for the activation. This
happens when the user is trying to activate his Windows for the first
time after purchase. If so, the Installation ID is instantly
validated and the corresponding Activation ID is issued which completes
the activation process.
However, Microsoft system will now associate
this product key with the hardware ID of the computer and stores this
information on their servers. In simple words, during the first use of the
product key, it is paired together with the Hardware ID and this
information is stored up on the Microsoft servers.
What if a computer running a counterfeit copy of Windows attempts to activate?
The activation fails whenever the copy of Windows
installed is not said to be genuine. This usually happens when the product
key used for the installation is said to have been used earlier on a different
computer. This is determined during the activation process as follows:
During the validation of the Installation ID, the
Microsoft’s system checks to see if the same product key was used in any of the
previous activation processes. If so, then it looks to see the Hardware ID
associated with it. The computer running a counterfeit copy of Windows will
obviously have a different hardware configuration and hence the Hardware
ID will mismatch. In this case the activation process will fail.
Therefore, for a successful activation,
either of the following two cases must be satisfied:
- The product key must have been used for the first time. ie: The product key should not have been used for earlier activations on any other computer.
- If the product key is said to have been used earlier, then the Hardware ID should match. This happens only if the same computer for which the license was genuinely purchased is attempting for subsequent activation.
What about formatting the hard disk?
Each time the hard disk is reformatted and the
Windows is re-installed, it needs to be re-activated. However, the activation
process will be completed smoothly since the same computer is attempting for
subsequent activation. In this case, both the product key and the Hardware ID
will match and hence the activation becomes successful.
What if I upgrade or make changes to my hardware?
In the above mentioned 10 categories of hardware,
at least 7 should be the same. Thus you are allowed to make changes to not more
than 3 categories of hardware. If you make too many changes then your
activation will fail. In this case, it is necessary to contact the customer
service representative via phone and explain about your problem. If he is
convinced he may re-issue a new product key for your computer using which you
can re-activate your Windows.
Some things WPA does not do:
- WPA does not send any personal information at all about you to Microsoft. There is still an option to register the product with Microsoft, but that is separate and entirely voluntary.
- If you prefer to activate via phone, you are not required to give any personal information to Microsoft.
- WPA does not provide a means for Microsoft to turn off your machine or damage your data/hardware. (Nor do they even have access to your data). This is a common myth that many people have about Microsoft products.
- WPA is not a “lease” system requiring more payments after two years or any other period. You may use the product as licensed in perpetuity.
I have tried my best to uncover the secret behind the WPA. For further details and more technical information you can read the actual paper by Fully Licensed GmbH at http://www.licenturion.com/xp/fully-licensed-wpa.txt.
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