---

Ken Fisher wrote an interesting article regarding some of the functionalities against piracy that Windows Vista will feature. This time, installing a non-legit copy of Windows won’t just be a case of inputing a fake key or using a Corporate Version of the OS. In short, here are the new features:

• Reduced Functionality Mode: this allows minimal use of the OS until it is validated. Microsoft has not disclosed full technical details, but they have indicated that
  the web browser (presumably IE) will work for about an hour before interrupting the session and forcing you to log off. Additional limitations are described below.
• Buy a key online: hop online, buy a new key, and you’re done.
• Phone in for activation: instructions on how to activate over the phone rather than the Internet.
• Enter your key: Oops, it was under the coffee table book the whole time.

In short, unless you input a legit key, or purchase one after 30 days of using the Operative System it will “lock down” it’s best functionalities:

Reduced functionality mode will also disable Aero, the new Windows Vista interface, and any “Premium” or “Ultimate” features of the OS will be completely locked down.

(I don’t know why Microsoft keeps insisting that Aero is a big selling point for Vista but whatever floats their boat is fine I guess)

However, even if your key is identified as legit Microsoft will continue to monitor your machine permanently, and if your key becomes invalid, or your system is identified as illegal you will receive a warning and it will lock down in 30 days from there onward.

Microsoft knows that this won’t stop piracy completely, but at least they have a more realistic goal this time:

The company is interested in continuing to build tools that make it difficult and inconvenience to be a pirate, however.