Hackers remove and disable Windows 7 activation

Hackers have managed to find a way to remove and disable the antipiracy protections built into Windows 7.

Ordinarily, the operating system requires users to activate their copy of Windows 7 within 30 days. A recently outlined method allows the normal notifications to be turned off.

The hack works to “activate” Windows 7 by bypassing activation altogether, and thus does not require any product key. The software doesn’t actually get confirmed as legitimate, but users are able to keep using the product indefinitely.

Microsoft confirmed on Friday it is aware of the technique, but said that it is working to shore up the activation procedure.

“We’re aware of this workaround and are already working to address it,” a Microsoft representative said in a statement, which also urged customers to only use genuine software, noting the fake stuff can contain malware and other bad things.

It’s the latest in a long history of cat-and-mouse moves between the makers of Windows and those who would rather not have to pay for the privilege.

As crack based on removal of activation component involves patching, changes and modification to many system files, it’s likely to be easily detected and nullified by Microsoft, especially in next WGA update or Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.