Windows 7 RTM - already cracked.

[ahenkel]

that's true, it might stop the less technically minded though. Even this current crack requires a knowledge higher than your average user.

 

[Modelworks]

Most of the pro software now does not requires a dongle except some very obscure programs. Most of the mainstream stuff now uses Flex. Flex works by installing a license server on the pc. Then you submit the activation request code that is generated by the software that is made up partly of serial number and partly of the hardware in the pc. Can be done via email or phone or online. They send back a string of characters you paste into the license manager and it authorizes the software to run only on that pc. I really like the Flex system. I have about 6 applications that use it and once you register the software you really never have to do it again on the same pc, not even if you change the OS. Backup the Flex directory with your license keys and copy it back after install.

The bad thing for MS about the protection for win7 is that it really is not complicated. If you can flash a bios you have the same thing anyone who buys the software has, except it is stolen.

 

[slugg]

Originally posted by: ahenkel
I wonder how long it will be till windows requires a hardware dongle to use windows

The only OS that requires a hardware dongle is Mac OS X. It's been cracked.

 

[lopri]

Didn't MS patch this OEM BIOS thingy for vista? (not the physical BIOS flash, but the software emulation) Then all it takes for MS is a single Windows Update to make this crack useless.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: lopri
Didn't MS patch this OEM BIOS thingy for vista? (not the physical BIOS flash, but the software emulation) Then all it takes for MS is a single Windows Update to make this crack useless.

Try tried to lock out SLIC emulators, but with little success. Some were never blocked (VistaLoader, IIRC), others just needed a minor upgrade. SP2 didn't deploy any new countermeasures that I'm aware of.

Overall they've done very poorly in this department.

 

[lopri]

Originally posted by: ViRGE
Try tried to lock out SLIC emulators, but with little success. Some were never blocked (VistaLoader, IIRC), others just needed a minor upgrade. SP2 didn't deploy any new countermeasures that I'm aware of.

Overall they've done very poorly in this department.

Wow, then this crack may be like the "FCKGW.." indeed. :Q

 

[WobbleWobble]

Microsoft blacklists leaked Windows 7 OEM key

 

[Modelworks]

Originally posted by: WobbleWobble
Microsoft blacklists leaked Windows 7 OEM key

It is just a PR move by MS so they can say to the stockholders, Look, we did try to prevent piracy.

Once OEM ship systems they can't blacklist the keys so really they didn't do anything to help their piracy situation. People can still use the blacklisted key to activate windows, it just will not work with windows update.

 

[ahenkel]

actually as I recall MS isn't restricting windows 7 updates to only legit copies.

http://www.maximumpc.com/artic..._legit_window_7_copies

 

[geokilla]

Originally posted by: lopri
Didn't MS patch this OEM BIOS thingy for vista? (not the physical BIOS flash, but the software emulation) Then all it takes for MS is a single Windows Update to make this crack useless.

My friend's still using the OEM crack on his Vista computers.

Originally posted by: ahenkel
actually as I recall MS isn't restricting windows 7 updates to only legit copies.

http://www.maximumpc.com/artic..._legit_window_7_copies

So...good thing I saved $65 CAD by not purchasing Windows 7 Home Premium?

 

[Bozo Galora]

now isnt that strange
the following is being reported by several knowledgable forum posters
if you go to WU, there are 8 updates for Win 7 (an O/S not even out)
If you apply them 16385 becomes 16399
hmpf

 

[Don66]

Originally posted by: Bozo Galora
now isnt that strange
the following is being reported by several knowledgable forum posters
if you go to WU, there are 8 updates for Win 7 (an O/S not even out)
If you apply them 16385 becomes 16399
hmpf

It's true.

 

[Bozo Galora]

and this is happening for what purpose?

edit:
http://www.mydigitallife.info/...99-at-win7_gdr-branch/

 

[DataCabbitKSW]

This news is a bit old, Microsoft already countered this "crack" (just a leaked OEM license code), as noted by WobbleWobble. The source article notes this as an updated at the top of the article. Other articles include this one: http://tinyurl.com/mgahdv
I believe they even noted something over on Microsoft's Windows Team Blogs ( http://windowsteamblog.com/ ). It won't be so easy to scam the system this time around. Plus with all of the deals coming out of the woodwork (Family Pack, upgrade specials, manufacturer coupons, etc) it won't cost that much to get a legitimate license. Still, they can even deactivate OEM general install keys because all users are given full license keys that are generally slapped on the side or underneath their machines. Should their particular OEM key get invalidated, oh, there is the key there, input it, cheers. We are on our merry way. Don't think for a minute that Microsoft hasn't done a lot more work on this version to ensure they can be both proactive and reactive after launch.