Windows 7 OEM Product Key Leak

Yesterday we were alerted to reports of a leak of a special product key issued to an OEM partner of ours. The key is for use with Windows 7 Ultimate RTM product that is meant to be pre-installed by the OEM on new PCs to be shipped later this year. As such, the use of this key requires having a PC from the manufacturer it was issued to. We've worked with that manufacturer so that customers who purchase genuine copies of Windows 7 from this manufacturer will experience no issues validating their copy of Windows 7. At the same time we will seek to alert customers who are using the leaked key that they are running a non-genuine copy of Windows. It's important to note that no PCs will be sold that will use this key.

Windows 7 already includesan improved ability to detect hacks, also known as activation exploits, and alert customers who are using a pirated copy.  There is a hack that is said to enable, when paired with the leaked key, a system to install and use a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate. Both the hack and the key are indications that a copy of Windows may not be genuine. The Windows Activation Technologies included in Windows 7 are designed to handle situations such as this one, and customers using these tools and methods should expect Windows to detect them. 

Our primary goal is to protect users from becoming unknowing victims, because customers who use pirated software are at greater risk of being exposed to malware as well as identity theft. Someone asked me recently - and I think it's worth noting here -- whether we treat all exploits equally in responding to new ones we see. Our objective isn't to stop every "mad scientist" that's out there from dabbling; our aim is to protect our customers from commercialized counterfeit software that impacts our customers' confidence in knowing they got what they paid for. That will continue to be our focus as we continue to evolve our anti-piracy platforms, and respond to new threats that we see emerge in the future.

Comments

• Anonymous
  July 31, 2009
  I've missed the point of the article Are you saying that Windows 7 won't be hacked, like EVERY other Windows version ever released ?? Keep your customers happy then. But don't post "shocking" news that is going to be "old news" the day (or likely before) Windows 7 is released MS does not control the Net ;)

• Anonymous
  July 31, 2009
  So this will only prevent online validation? Until SP1 updates the OS validation to block this key, people can use it?

• Anonymous
  July 31, 2009
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• Anonymous
  July 31, 2009
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• Anonymous
  July 31, 2009
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• Anonymous
  July 31, 2009
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• Anonymous
  July 31, 2009
  johnick- If you want to continue to steal your software, go ahead.  We all look up to you so much, and all want to be like you.  That is my goal in life, and I am sure that's Alex's goal too.  If we could somehow figure out how to steal a copy of Windows 7 we would have all of the women in the world we would ever want.  You are SO cool.  Just think when you get old enough to drive how much fun life will be.  Can we go for a ride?

• Anonymous
  July 31, 2009
  While others buy a pirating groups, such as mine I bought my operating system, while others take the easy way, many like to violate the laws and international agreements, not me, I like to buy all my products to have rights to claim, I am not like others, I do not like to steal anything, he who steals what caught sooner or later.

• Anonymous
  July 31, 2009
  the first commend... :) it's the best i've ever met :) "Does microsoft rule the internet?"

• Anonymous
  July 31, 2009
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• Anonymous
  July 31, 2009
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• Anonymous
  August 01, 2009
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• Anonymous
  August 01, 2009
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• Anonymous
  August 01, 2009
  "Our primary goal is to protect users from becoming unknowing victims, because customers who use pirated software are at greater risk of being exposed to malware as well as identity theft." Sorry...it's time for Microsoft to wake up and realize that people with Genuine Microsoft products still get malware and identity theft. As a technician, all of my clients have genuine copies of XP and Vista for example. They still have some sort of malware on their machines because of the various holes in Windows and Internet Explorer (and yes, they have automatic updates turned on). If Microsoft actually coded more efficiently and not releasing unstable operating systems as "RTM" or "Final", we wouldn't have this problem.   Word to the wise where they need it the most.

• Anonymous
  August 01, 2009
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• Anonymous
  August 01, 2009
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• Anonymous
  August 02, 2009
  Just a reminder for everyone, I have to individually approve each comment for posting. I do this in part because of issues we had with people posting very inapropriate content (but that was quite a while ago) and also because of issues with spam being posted as comments. So far I have posted EVERY comment that has been made in respone to this post. I'm not trying to censor anyone but just a reminder that comments that include excessive inapropriate language or threats (legal or personal) won't be posted. Oh, and sometimes it can take me a few hours or even a day to get back to the blog to review comments and approve so if your comment isn't posted right away don't worry, I'll get to it. Thanks everyone!

• Anonymous
  August 02, 2009
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• Anonymous
  August 02, 2009
  My four year old desktop computer, purchased new from Dell is now telling me CONSTANTLY that I have an unlicensed version of Windows.  Do you suppose someone broke into my house last night and maliciously substituted my operating system for a counterfeit one?  I don't think so.  What the devil is going on here and how do I resolve it?  Please help me someone. spackler@hotmail.com

• Anonymous
  August 02, 2009
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• Anonymous
  August 02, 2009
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• Anonymous
  August 02, 2009
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• Anonymous
  August 03, 2009
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• Anonymous
  August 05, 2009
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• Anonymous
  August 09, 2009
  Does it mean that one who are using the legal product have some problem?

• Anonymous
  August 10, 2009
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• Anonymous
  May 16, 2011
  worst team of windows 7