Microsoft Software Activation

Mon, Sep 17, 2007

What a joke. Seriously, common Microsoft. On the weekend I had to activate my Vista installation, which I have already activated many times before while testing. It informed me that I could no longer use my computer until I activated it, but it was unable to activate over the internet. It gave me a helpful phone number to call to activate. So I call this phone number and read their automated phone system my 54 digit activation number. Yeah, 54 digits. WTF. And, of course, it says it can’t do it automatically so it transfers me to a person. Then I have to read my 54 digit number again. Hurray! Then he reads me back another 54 digit number for me to type in, and voila, activated. What a serious pain in the ass. Does this really stop piracy? Nope. If I was going to use Vista illegitimately it would have been MUCH easier for me to just jump onto the internet and just get an activation crack. So the only people that software activation actually hurts are the people that have actually paid money for their software. Way to go Microsoft, treat us all like criminals.

This post was written by:

Jon Tackabury
Binary Fortress Software, Lead Developer

2 Comments For This Post

Aaron C Says:
September 24th, 2007 at 5:32 pm

I had a similar experience this weekend. i upgraded my RAM — just my RAM — and windows XP said that it had had a “major change” and needed to reactivate. Ok. my copy is legal. reactivate over the web? Sure. Windows says no-can-do, use the phone. *Sigh*
So I cal the number, and say my 54 digits. I get asked some questions by the computer (”Is this installed on any other computers? You sure? are you a pirate?”) and I answer correctly… and am told that I have managed to violate the EULA. I am asked if I would like to be transferred to a human. I say yes. Click. Click. music, click. Dead Air. The machine hung up on me. *sigh*
So I call again, and just keep saying “Operator” until I get a person. The person asks for the FIRST 6 digits only — not the whole thing, just the first segment — and then asks the same questions. I give the same answers, and she reads off a key that gets me back in to windows and activated.
How is this supposed to do ANYTHING to combat piracy? all it does is piss off customers.

Jon Tackabury Says:
September 24th, 2007 at 6:13 pm

I agree, it does nothing to combat piracy. Just do a quick Google search for “vista activation crack” and voila, easy as pie.

http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=vista+activation+crack&btnG=Google+Search&meta=

Way to alienate your customers Microsoft.