Microsoft won’t attend to all Vista activation cracks

While several Vista activation cracks have appeared, not all will get Microsoft’s attention. The company reasons “Our goal isn’t to stop every ‘mad scientist’ that’s on a mission to hack Windows.”

According to Alex Kochis, Microsoft senior product manager, the focus on responding to hacks is determined by their scalability and commercial potential.

Here is the list of Vista activation cracks that have gotten Microsoft attention so far:

1. The ‘Frankenbuild’ workaround

Frankenbuild, which involves the merging of files from an old RC build with the RTM build. This hybrid was previously able to bypass Vista activation checks. However, frankenbuild has been effectively killed by Microsoft when it released the succeeding Windows Update.

In a post on the Windows Genuine Advantage MSDN blog it says “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. The systems will then be flagged as non-genuine systems.”

“If they don’t produce a new product key within 30 days, they will then only be able to access their system in what we call reduced functionality mode – a mode which limits their use to one hour with their default web browser.”

2. The Timer 2009 workaround

Known as the ‘timer crack’ or ‘2099 crack’, the Timer 2009 crack basically resets the pre-activation grace period, so it stays in effect until 2099. However, this workaround has been rendered inoperable by the Microsoft KB931573 update, which the company had released, along with a batch of Vista patches, Softpedia writes.

3. Key Management Server workaround

The Key Management Server (KMS) workaround uses VMWare image and VBS script to simulate a local KMS which can generate valid Vista product keys. However, the problem with KMS is that the activation is only good for 180 days.

To this workaround, Cori Hartje, Director of Microsoft’s Genuine Software Initiative, issued the following statement to Beta News: “We are actively monitoring these types of piracy and counterfeit situations, and will take action on any Key Management Service (KMS) or Multiple Activation Key (MAK) keys that have been reported as stolen or abused.”

4. Vista BIOS crack

The Vista BIOS crack uses software tools and information to trick Vista installation into acting as though it is installed on an OEM machine, which allows it to bypass product activation and anti-piracy checks.

Microsoft’s Alex Koc, confirmed the Vista BIOS activation crack workaround. While he wouldn’t say if the company plans to respond, he mentioned that the company is monitoring the situation.

“Our first goal is to disrupt the business model of organized counterfeiters and protect users from becoming unknowing victims. This means focusing on responding to hacks that are scalable and can easily be commercialized, thereby making victims out of well-intentioned customers.”

While Microsoft only addresses a few Vista activation cracks, this doesn’t mean the company is failing to address piracy. The company is just being selective in its effort, utilizing its available resources to focus on those cracks that have most potential to cause damage.

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