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Interview About Windows XP Product Activation

Time: 13:15 EST/18:15 GMT | News Source: Gamespot | Posted By: Viper

Microsoft has revealed that it plans to change its antipiracy measures in Windows XP to respond to the beta testers' concerns of that XP's product activation system wasn't tolerant enough of typical system upgrades. Windows product activation (WPA) is a method of tying the serial number to a specific system's hardware. GameSpot spoke with Allen Nieman, technical product manager for Windows XP, to get more information on how product activation will work.

Tell us a bit about the changes to Windows product activation. What now triggers the prompt for reactivation?

Allen Nieman: What triggers the prompt for reactivation hasn't changed. What has changed is that we have addressed feedback from power users participating in the beta that the need to reactivate by telephoning can be a hassle. Therefore we have made changes in the way those reactivation requests are handled to allow it to be done over the Internet based on the amount of time that has passed since the last time that product key was used to activate Windows XP. As we've always said, we are trying to strike a balance between our desire to reduce piracy and our desire to ensure a positive customer experience with Windows XP. As far as what changes will prompt for a reactivation, we plan to provide the user community with more information on this in the next couple of days.

You mention that the changes have to do with the amount of time since the key was last used, presumably for either the initial activation or one due to hardware changes. How long are we talking about?

Allen Nieman: The amount of time is based on initial activation. If you make changes to your PC--changes that would normally prompt a need to reactiviate--120 days from the time you initially activate the product, it will automatically do it online for you.

What's the process for reactivation if the upgrades do exceed the new limits?

Allen Nieman: As before, the user still has the opportunity to contact Microsoft via telephone to obtain another confirmation ID.

Does the activation system need access to the Internet after the initial activation to confirm hardware changes with Microsoft?

Allen Nieman: No, there is no ongoing access to Microsoft or "phone home." The only time a user may have to reactivate is when a substantial hardware change occurs such that the PC appears to Windows to be a completely different PC. This is to protect against hard disk cloning piracy.