Vista Loses Reduced Functionality

After installation of its first service pack (SP1), Windows Vista will no longer drop into Reduced Functionality Mode, which denied access to certain Vista features, when it fails Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation. SP1, expected to be available in early 2008, will also include code to prevent subversion of the Windows Vista activation process. But while Reduced Functionality Mode may be gone, activation is not, and it will remain Microsoft’s policy to require product activation for all editions of Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008.

Why Change?

Microsoft instituted WGA in Sept. 2004 as a voluntary pilot program to cut down on software piracy. It requires users to demonstrate that they have a genuine copy of Windows before they can download certain software from Microsoft Web sites. The program is now worldwide and mandatory and has been expanded in scope to cover most downloads (except patches for security vulnerabilities, which are still available without validation).

WGA appears to be having the desired impact—according to Mike Sievert, corporate vice president, Windows Product Marketing, in the last quarter (Q2 2007), approximately 5% of Windows desktop OEM revenue growth was attributable to the decline in piracy. He added that in the last year alone, Microsoft has pursued legal action against more than 1,000 dealers of counterfeit Microsoft products, and taken down more than 50,000 illegal and improper online software auctions.