Software developers have been battling software counterfeiting (often called pirating or software piracy) since the very first OS or application was sold. When it's easy to copy the software without paying for it, some people do just that. Client licenses, product keys, and activation work together to help ensure that a software program that is being used is a valid copy. The goal is to make it more difficult for software counterfeiters to copy and sell the software to unsuspecting users while also making the process smooth for users who have purchased valid versions.
With this in mind, administrators have a responsibility to their company to help it develop sound licensing strategies and ensure they remain compliant with license agreements. You should understand the basics of client activation that can be implemented in an organization.
Windows 7 uses a product key and an activation process to help thwart counterfeiting. You can still install Windows 7 without the product key by clicking Next on the installation screen, but it won't successfully activate without the key.
Some product keys are designed for a single product, and some product keys are designed for multiple products. A Multiple Activation Key (MAK) uses a single key purchased for many clients. In larger organizations, MAKs or Key Management Service (KMS) servers could be used for activation, or a combination of the two can be used. MAK and KMS require a more complex license infrastructure.
Activation will ultimately be paired with the product key and your PC. The activation process collects information on the PC to uniquely identify it, but it does not collect any information on the user. When installing Windows, you'll receive the prompt Automatically Activate Windows When I'm Online. If this box is checked, activation will be attempted three days after the user logs on the first time. If it is not checked, the user will be prompted to activate before the grace period expires.
Windows 7 has a grace period of 30 days before it needs to be activated. During this time, users will see a pop-up reminding them they need to activate. This starts as a once-a-day pop-up four days after the installation and increases to as often as once an hour on day 30. On day 31, a message will appear indicating that you must activate Windows to continue using all Windows features. A logical question is, "What features can't be used?" In past versions of Windows, Microsoft introduced a reduced-functionality mode where users can browse the Internet for one hour before having to log off and back on again.
It appears as though everything in Windows 7 still works in this reduced-functionality mode. The desktop background goes black with text indicating the copy of Windows is not genuine. You can change the background, but it will change back within about an hour. Periodically, an Activation window appears, informing you the activation period has expired and prompting you to activate, buy a new product key online, retype your product key, or view other ways to activate.
On Windows Server 2008 R2 (the server to Windows 7), the server shuts down hourly after the activation period expires. All of this can be frustrating when you use a system that isn't activated, but there is a simple solution—ensure the software is genuine and activate it. You can activate Windows from the System page. Click Start, right-click PC, and select Properties. If you scroll down to the bottom of the page, you'll see a Windows Activation menu.
If your system is connected to the Internet, you can simply click this link. Your system will connect to Microsoft's servers, some information on your PC will be transferred back and forth, and a moment later you'll be notified that activation was successful. Microsoft stresses that the information transferred during the activation process can be used to identify your PC, but it does not include any information on the user. Once the system is activated, the countdown to activate will be replaced with a message saying, "Windows is Activated." Windows activation is considered permanent, although Windows does periodically check to ensure that the system is the same.
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Note: This article was sent to us by: Fred N. Halbert at 09272010
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