With Windows Vista, Windows Genuine Advantage is built in. WGA for Windows Vista is enabled by the Software Protection Platform (SPP), a new set of anti-piracy technologies to help Microsoft make software piracy harder and to help protect consumers and business against the risks of counterfeit software.

WGA for Windows Vista enables Microsoft to help differentiate the genuine Windows Vista user experience by reserving key product features, including Windows Aero^TM Windows Defender, and Windows ReadyBoost^TM for customers running a genuine properly-licensed copy of Windows Vista. Systems running a non-genuine copy of Windows Vista will be notified, and the lower right portion of their screen will permanently display a message that reads, "This copy of Windows is not genuine." In addition, a user may be asked to reactivate within 30 days if it is determined that their product key has been blocked by Microsoft or their licensing files have been tampered. Failure to reactivate within the 30-day grace period may result in the system being placed into a reduced functionality mode.

Note: Aero is not available in Windows Vista Starter version or Windows Vista Home Basic version.

Microsoft is committed to working with customers to help. That includes recommending that they first go back to the place of purchase to request genuine software or a refund. Additionally, we encourage customers to visit http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/Reporting.mspx, which helps customers report counterfeit software. We also offer customers who submit high-quality counterfeit copies of genuine Windows Vista a genuine replacement copy at no charge.

Protecting our customers' privacy is very important to Microsoft. Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) was built with privacy in mind and is implemented in accordance with a clear privacy policy. Microsoft does not use any information collected with WGA to identify or contact customers. To learn more about how Microsoft protects customers' privacy, please go to http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/PrivacyInfo.aspx.

A genuine copy of Windows Vista means your PC can always be up to date. Genuine Windows Vista helps protect your PC by automatically providing access to the latest updates and enhancements, which insure your PC is running the latest technology. There is also a set of premium features that uniquely distinguish the genuine Windows Vista experience. These include Aero Glass, which offers a rich visual interface and innovative ways to navigate your desktop, and ReadyBoost which can speed up a PC using easy to find USB 2.0 memory devices.

Note: Aero Glass is not available in Windows Vista Starter version or Windows Vista Home Basic version.

Product keys can be blocked for a number of reasons, including if the product key is abused, stolen, pirated or seized as a result of anti-piracy enforcement efforts. Product keys can also be blocked if they are beta or test keys and have been disabled, if there were manufacturing errors in the keys or if the keys have been returned.

Once a product key is identified as stolen or leaked, the Microsoft anti-piracy team will engage with the legitimate key owner to determine a solution prior to blocking the key. In most cases, the customer will receive a new key, and the leaked key will be blocked from further use.

Systems that were installed using a blocked key will fail validation and will be required to activate with a genuine key in order to continue working properly. New attempts to activate using blocked keys will fail.

Reduced functionality has been a part of the initial Windows XP product activation process for retail and OEM installations. As with Windows XP, after initial installation and the conclusion of the 30-day grace period, product activation will be required. In addition, systems in a non-genuine state will be required to reactivate within a 30-day grace period. If a system fails to activate, it will go into a reduced functionality mode. In this mode, there is no start menu, no desktop icons, and the desktop background is changed to black. The Web browser will function and Internet connectivity will not be blocked. After one hour, however, the system will log the user out without warning. The system will not be shut down, and the user can log back in. Even with reduced functionality, the system will not block access access to personal data stored on the computer.

If dealers know that unauthorized copies will not work properly, then they will be more likely to sell and install only genuine copies. If customers know that non-genuine copies can cause problems, they are more likely to demand and use only genuine copies.

No. Microsoft cannot and will not turn off your computer. Reduced functionality mode has always been the result of failing to activate Windows XP. In Windows Vista, the new concept is that customers may be asked to reactivate if their copy of Windows Vista is determined to be non-genuine.

Unlike Windows XP, Windows Vista will reserve select features for customers running a genuine copy of Windows, providing a differentiated experience. These features are:

• Windows ReadyBoost^TM lets users use a removable flash memory device, such as a USB thumb drive, to improve system performance without opening the PC.
• Windows Aero^TM offers Microsoft's best-designed, highest-performing desktop experience. (Not available in Windows Vista Starter version or Windows Vista Home Basic version.)
• Windows Defender is Microsoft's anti-spyware program. Windows Defender will remove critical spyware threats from even non-genuine copies of Windows. However, only genuine copies of Windows will have all known and defined spyware threats removed.

There are several remedies available depending on the circumstances that have occurred. These include entering a new product key, obtaining a new product key, or re-entering the original product key to activate. Volume licensing customers can return to normal Windows operating mode by connecting to a KMS service to automatically renew the activation or obtain a MAK. If the system has failed validation, the user will be provided with information on why the copy of Windows is not genuine, as well as resources for getting a genuine copy. At any time in the process, users can contact Microsoft support for additional help.

In addition to select features being disabled for non-genuine users, Windows Vista will also notify users if their copy of Windows is determined to be non-genuine. The lower right portion of their screen will persistently display the message "This copy of Windows is not genuine". Also, Windows Vista will display the genuine status of the installed copy of Windows Vista in the System Properties panel of the Windows Vista Control Panel.

There are a set of Windows system files and processes that are protected by Software Protection Platform (SPP) in order to prevent licensing hacks and work-arounds. Because changes to these files and processes can destabilize the system or open it up for further attacks, Microsoft requires tampered systems to be reinstalled from original media. Some forms of piracy may trigger the tamper response and cause Windows to require reinstallation.

Users with a non-genuine copy of Windows Vista can return to the point of purchase for a refund or a genuine copy, purchase a full retail version of Windows Vista from a local retailer or contact Microsoft to see if there are additional solutions.

A false positive occurs when a customer attempts to validate their genuinely licensed copy of Windows, but is incorrectly given a "non-genuine" result. False positives are a relatively rare occurrence. During these situations, Microsoft works closely with customers via our support lines and customer forum to help the user recover. In the event of a mistake, customers will have a grace period in which they will have full functionality and Microsoft support. Even if their system enters reduced functionality mode, users can enter a genuine product key at any time to activate and return to full functionality, and at no time will users be prevented from accessing their personal data.

Often, users have no idea that their copy of Windows is counterfeit. The most common cause is the "repair shop" scenario. In this scenario, a genuine Windows customer takes their PC to be repaired. Unbeknownst to the customer, the repair shop installs an unlicensed copy of Windows. The customer has a genuine product key, but a non-genuine key was used to install the system. Another common scenario is someone purchases a new PC from a dishonest business that charges them for genuine software but installs a pirated copy of Windows. The user knows they have paid for a copy of Windows, but they are actually running pirated software. Microsoft provides assistance, including in some cases, a free replacement copy, for customers who experience these issues.

Yes. Microsoft will make critical security updates available to non-genuine users via Automatic Updates.

When a copy of Windows fails validation, the user is directed to a customized Web page with details about what caused the failure and recommendations for how to fix the problem. Depending on the specific cause of the problem, these recommendations include:

• Go back to your original reseller and ask for a genuine copy
• Check to see whether you qualify for a complimentary replacement CD from Microsoft.
• Purchase a genuine copy of Windows from Microsoft online or from your local reseller.
• Visit the Microsoft Genuine Advantage Support page for more information.