Filed under: OS Updates, News, Microsoft
Windows 7 RTM "improved" activation bypassed by hackers
Things have been fairly quiet for a while. Microsoft's anti-piracy team had cooked up WAT - Windows Activation Technology - in hopes that it would prove more successful at thwarting unlicensed Windows use than its predecessor WGA. And so began the latest round of cat-and-mouse with pirates. "You've got a better activation system? We'll build a better crack," is how the game usually plays out.
It should come as no surprise, then, that there are two new activation bypass tools spreading like wildfire on the Internet. Called RemoveWAT and ChewWGA, the apps provide one-click patching of Windows 7 RTM installations.
Microsoft, of course, has promised a speedy response. Still, once a system is patched and a user shuts off Windows Update, there's really not much Microsoft can do - or is there? Maybe they know something we don't.
[via CNet]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rob said 3:00PM on 11-14-2009
The last paragraph is assuming a lot about the patch. There is a service in 7 called software protection that manages the license and checks to make sure that there are no hacks. NOTHING ELSE checks this. If the patches mess with the service itself, MS is without recourse even if somebody does nothing else (turning off windows update won't matter at all) to avoid detection. If it doesn't modify the software protection service, MS could still revoke the false license through the SP service.
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r3loaded said 4:23PM on 11-14-2009
I have the feeling that several Windows components such as winlogon.exe have various hooks into the Software Protection service, that interact in unpredictable ways, as well as there being various other integrity checks. Patching/disabling the service isn't as easy as it sounds.
Meh, if you need a few copies of Windows 7, just get a TechNet subscription and enjoy a hassle-free experience with a great OS! :)
Luis Camino said 3:03PM on 11-14-2009
and who would want to shut off windows update anyway?
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casey said 3:16PM on 11-14-2009
Re: and who would want to shut off windows update anyway?
to
Well... to be honest... Windows 7 already seems far more atable than Vista or Xp.... So I would assume that Windows Updates are not crucial for Windows 7 to operate much better
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Gav said 3:36PM on 11-14-2009
Security?
kojo87 said 1:17AM on 11-15-2009
@Casey: the fact that anyone who reads this blog actually thinks that way boggles my mind. do not change your car's oil either?
Philip said 3:28PM on 11-14-2009
ChewWGA is the best ramoveWGA just renames files makeing it worthless
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Evenio said 7:23PM on 11-14-2009
Candidate for image caption: "LOL WAT"
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sida said 11:40PM on 11-14-2009
the above comment is an article from mydigitalrip
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/11/06/removewat-or-chew-wga-bypass-activate-windows-7-and-server-2008-r2-forever-loader-alternative-to-remove-disable-activation-technologies/
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Gilbert Palau said 11:43PM on 11-14-2009
Goldstar for you!
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NotRocketboy said 1:18PM on 11-15-2009
You know what? If it's an essential piece of software that my computer will not run without, I don't have any issues paying for it. Back when I didn't have much money, drove a crappy car, lived in an apartment, paying for college, sure, it was hard to make that justification. But as an adult, an OS has value to me. And I don't mind paying for that value.
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Ishar said 7:49PM on 11-15-2009
Well, No need to crack Windows 7 RTM, you can obtain free version of Windows 7 RTM from Microsoft. Use your brain, you'll get chance to use it forever for free, legally.
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michel said 10:55AM on 11-16-2009
Please do inform us. But only if it installs once, works, and needs no extra maintenance or attention. As well as using my brain, I use my computer - I don't play with it.