activate windows 7 without using win update

is such a thing possible? I was reading the other thread "you can now activate your copy of win 7" and someone mentioned using mgadiag but I can't find it on my ultimate.

I want to avoid using win update because people have had problems and I thought there is an alternative way that won't let MS collect some private information regarding my computer.
thanks guys

 

AFAIK you can still activate over the phone.

 

No matter how you activate your copy of windows msft will still know what license key you have and the profile of the hardware it is installed on.

 

I am quoting a post from the other thread

"■Computer make and model
■Version information for the operating system and software
■Region and language settings
■A unique number assigned to your computer by the tools (Globally Unique Identifier or GUID)
■Product Key (hashed) and Product ID
■BIOS name, revision number, and revision date
■Hard drive volume serial number (hashed)
■Whether the installation was successful if one was performed
■The result of the validation check, including error codes and information about any activation exploits and any related malicious or unauthorized software found or disabled, including:
◦The activation exploit’s identifier
◦The activation exploit's current state, such as cleaned or quarantined
◦Original equipment manufacturer identification
◦The activation exploit’s file name and hash of the file, as well as a hash of related software components that may indicate the presence of an activation exploit
■The name and a hash of the contents of the computer's start-up instructions file (commonly called the boot file) to help us discover activation exploits that modify this file.

As standard procedure, your Internet Protocol (IP) address is temporarily logged when your computer connects to a Genuine Microsoft Software website or server."

this is what I want to avoid.

 

Please understand, activation and validation are 2 separate things. Go to Control Panel-System. then scroll down, it'll say there "Windows is activated" or "You have .....days to get activated".
Validation is for establishing that your windows copy is genuine. For Win7, Microsoft has overhauled the scheme and now calls it WAT(Windows activation technologies). This was released as an update on 16th feb. and goes by the name KB971033. So before WAT became available, people were using the windows diagnostic tool called mgadiag.exe to validate. You can download it from http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012.
However, now that WAT is released, you just need to go to microsoft.com/genuine and follow on-screen instructions to validate.

 

Why?

......​

 

Keep in mind that Microsoft has strongly hinted that in the near-future, if the core OS isn't properly activated and validated, other licensed Microsoft products (virtual studio dev tools, office, DRM components, etc, etc) may also refuse to activate/validate.

 

And why is this a problem for you?
If you use a legal copy of Windows 7 you should have no problems at all.
Also, MS doesn't sell user data as far as I am aware - if they did and someone found out the fallout would be too large.

 

I don't understand why they need all this personal data. I purchased a product and that's it. I should have to give them any further details about myself or my computer.

It's like buying tires for your car and then before installing them you have to give the manufacturer my VIN number.

the above infos have little to do with verifying if I am trying to use a copy.

 

Hashed data is unrecoverable.

 

I wouldn't really call this personal information - at least its nothing that really identifies you.

Its just supposed to combat piracy - which isn't a problem if you bought a legal copy.

 

You can still use the phone service if you don't want to do the internet activation, but the next it connects to the internet, that information will be gathered.

You really should use the internet, it's just quicker and easier. The only reason I use the phone service at work is because our Windows keys are MSDN so you have to validate it with the phone rep rather than automatically through Windows Update.

 

It actually has everything to do with whether you are using a legitimate copy. What method would you prefer that they use to prevent people from using pirated copies? There needs to be a way to ensure that the installation is both legitimate and that the user isn't trying to install it on a 100 different machines. The only way to do that is to make a hardware "fingerprint" of your computer when the copy is installed. This is especially important as a computer may change hands several times over it's lifespan. It would be a hell of a difficult thing to reinstall an OS on a computer that was on it's 3rd owner, but there was a password linked to the original purchaser which verified ownership. As was stated before there is no personally identifying information being collected, nor are they looking into your private files... they just need to make sure they aren't being screwed out of profits. If you are really that concerned about security and privacy download a Linux distro and be done with it.

 

well since I have a RETAIL version I am entitled to move my license to another computer every time I want, as long as I use it on only one computer. So with this fingerprint next time I switch to another computer I will have to deal with the PITA that it's gonna tell me it's not a legitimate copy.

oh is that so? I had no clue. I have two MSDN copies so I guess I will have to call and I am not even in the US right now.

 

You can. The hardware finger printer only prevent you move installed windows from one machine to another. You can activate it unlimited times with different hardware. First 3 times via online, then you have to do phone activation.

 

I hate car analogies but you walked right into this one.

Your analogy doesn't go far enough. The proper one would be this:

"In town, the local mechanic is among a large number of body shops in the area that have had tires stolen out of their warehouses. Suddenly, I drive up, get out, pull four brand new tires out of the trunk, and say 'put these on my car.'"

This is the environment Microsoft operates in. This is why activation exists. A zillion people have activated Windows without issue, and MS honestly could not care less about the TOP SEKRET DATAZ they collect during an activation.

You give more personal information to your local supermarket or gas station than you give to Microsoft.

 

No, it won't. It will recognize that it's on a second computer, but from what I've read in just a quickie google, it will activate online on a new computer, provided that it hasn't been moved around too often or too frequently; next it will trigger a call to an automated system where a few basic, automated questions need to be answered - again, solely with information that simply cannot be used to identify you personally - and if you continue to move it around after that, you will eventually end up having to do an activation with a live person over the phone.

If you just want to move it once or twice, that is unlikely to cause problems. If, however, you want to move with such frequency and regularity that it begins to look like your copy has been cracked and pirated, then you might have to simply state to an MS automated telephone system that your copy is only installed on one computer at a time.

Nothing worth getting into such a twist over.

 

Fixed. Hashing is not flawless...

 

Hash collision is far from recovering original data.

 

I think you misunderstand what your SINGLE license 'entitles' you to.

One licence per machine. Whether or not that particular machine is powered on or not. Doesn't matter if it is a corp/vlk, upgrade, or the 'full retail' you're so proud of.

One license per machine.

 

yes I do understand that. sorry I should have specified that if I install it on another machine I will erase from the previous one. that satisfies the "one license per machine"

Just because I have four brand new tires in my trunk doesn't mean that they are stolen. So I am not sure what you are trying to state.

 

It also doesn't mean they aren't. Thinking so highly of your fellow man is a good way to lose a lot of tires.

MS takes the path of "I don't know if it's stolen, but I have ways to narrow it down."

Ya know, MS has been doing activation for nine years now. NINE YEARS. No government on earth has made them remove it in all that time.

 

Just to note that you need to actually de-activate the Windows key before wiping the machine. Simply formatting a hard disc does not equate to the key magically becoming available.

 

There's no way to deactivate windows. For retail windows key, it's simply 3 times online activation and phone the rest.

 

Really? I could've sworn I saw a deactivation or something under the "change product key", but that was on Enteprise. Anyhow, maybe I'm mistaken.

I do activations a lot at work and some applications need to have their product key de-activated before wiping a computer and re-installing said application.

 

i cant see what the fuss is about just activate it through the online thing, or telephone the freephone number and do it over the phone.

 

I thought that there would be more people on this forum that would stand for privacy.

I still like this forum

 

Well, the thing is, it really hasn't got a lot to do with privacy but more with piracy prevention.

 

To "stand for privacy" at the tinfoil hat level you seem to be at, we'd have to live in log cabins in the wilderness of Montana.

You know the site operators here know your IP address, right?

*omg!*

I also know what computer you have. SEKRIT DATAZ!

 

AHAHAH. that really cracked me open. LOL. hey I am all up for it. I love Montana and the wilderness.

but yes, I know that my IP is all over the place.

 

at least there is someone who thinks like me... I'm happy

 

When was the last time you bought tires? You can bet that the dealer/tire shop does in fact record your name, address, and vehicle VIN. Probably has your phone # and credit card number on file too.

Try again.

 

no sir. no VIN number is recorded when you purchase tires. A set of tires could fit a million vehicles. I usually buy my tires and put them on the car myself. But anyway that's beyond the point.

 

So I'm confused, what were we arguing again?

Whether you like it or not, "privacy" is a very niche term in today's society where you can potentially be monitored everywhere.

 

I don't think its a niche term.

However you have to differentiate between companies that data mine, and those that aim to protect themselves - may that be profit itself.

That's very rough - and most likely has a few holes... but it'll do for a a start.

 

It depends how you define "privacy", but given how the OP defines it (if he thinks MS collecting data is infringing his privacy), then yes, it's a niche term in this case.

What I meant is that you can and potentially are monitored in your every day life. It's part of modern society. Credit Cards, transactions, there;s even traffic light cameras to see where you're heading physically. Point is, as stated before, to really have "privacy" in the pure sense, you'd have to live in a cave in a desolate place.

 

you are just starting a whole new discussion I am not sure if this is the place and time. But it just sounds like you are taking all those things for granted. Like it is supposed to be this way. I consider any personal information private and I think we are getting to an extreme, big brother is a scary story...

 

You may consider anything you like to be "private" but that don't make it so, particularly when it's already out and about.

 

The question is, what is private.

And private is generally information that can be used to identify a person.

With that respect - a computer's serial number is not private - it cannot identify a person - and if you scrawled your name over it, your own fault.

By the way, you possibly use Google, no? They know far more about you than Microsoft ever would.

 

That is the absolute truth - for all their surface rhetoric, Google are very scary once you get down to the nitty-gritty of what they actually do and actually collect on you.

 

Well I wasn't trying to really argue anything, just saying you seem to have trouble with MS gathering data. Is it the fact that they gather data, or the fact that it's not written in bold font on the box that they do?

I never said it's supposed to be this way, but it is. Like it or not, sometimes you need to gather info to track down criminals and other things. Society has chosen to draw the line here between privacy and social security. I do not advocate for or against it honestly, I'm just stating a fact of the current modern world.

As stated above, your computer's serial number is hardly considered "private" information really and honestly, I see very few concrete uses where that could really be used against you by and of itself.

If it's the principle of gathering itself you're arguing, that's a whole other story indeed.

 

no cookies allowed

 

They don't need cookies.

 

my guess is that google, msn, yahoo and others collect IP addresses and browsing habites. Then, they use those information to target us with specific data such as ads.

 

I never get any targeted ads... anyway...

You are correct that they log IP addresses - and these can be matched to a user - connected to search patterns etc.

If its done, and to what extent is another question.

But the key thing is - Google lives from data mining - their statement "don't be evil" is just that - they do anything they can get away with - avoid taxes, why not... (Google UK has its head office in Ireland, as a result they do not pay UK tax and save over 1 billion pounds a year - worst part - its legal) - it's highly probable they'll use search patterns to serve ads.

Also: Search patterns can indicate what you do - have you got a cold, flu?
On that note... didn't the US once find that generally people will google any symptoms and hence a map of where searches were conducted from can track any illnesses?

But back to searching... you do a lot of say WW2 research - so you are either a history student/scholar or curious etc.

 

Is that all that you think constitutes "personal" information passed around online?

Allow me to start shattering your blissful ignorance. For starters, go to the ShieldsUp! website and take a gander at the info that your browser sends out each and every time it makes an HTTP request for a document. While there, you might want to play with some of Gibson's other toys and see what other sorts of info about you is getting out into the internets.

 

If the OP doesn't want to play by Microsofts rules then he need to go to the linux/openoffice camp. Now.

Few people here and none at Microsoft care about his aversion to activation nor the bogus/fragile strawman arguments he is tossing up for the sake of argument.

 

1. I still believe that consumers have more power than they realize. Google can throw at me all the ads they want but I think the few times I clicked on them was by mistake and then I didn't buy that product anyway.

2. Let them collect IP addresses, I use an anonymous proxy.

3. I never said that Google is not evil, but the EU, which tries to protect its consumers a lot more than the US, has already given to MS multiple privacy,antitrust, unfair business practice, monopoly fines. And Google, I think, has only received a couple that were not as significant, the latest being that Google shouldn't be set as the default search engine, instead the consumer should chose his/her search engine of preference.

4. To the people that think an IP address is so private: do you realize that ISPs don't give away personal information that easily? I can't just call and be like "oh yes tell me whose IP this is". A MAC address in some ways is a more sensitive information than an IP address. And most of the times when you don't use your home network, and you are at the library, at school, etc. whoever wants to find out more about an IP address would have to go through the IPS then go through a second layer of bureaucracy to have any sensitive information. So I really couldn't care less if they have my IP address and they can show me all the ads they want, I still use my brain when I make purchases, I don't buy the first thing I see on TV.

 

I don't have a Gmail account so I can't speculate about google. Ads targetting was just an example .

This is exactly the kind of things that scare me off... no more right to privacy

It doesn't always work

I can't and you can't, but goverments all over the wolrd and the EU in particular (UK and France to name few) have been harassing ISP in the last couples of years about that. If they had it their way they would oblige them to monitor their subcribers activites, emails, and the type of data they uploads and downloads. For instance in the UK, the gouverment has forced ISP to keep track of all the emails send and received by their subscribers. I don't remember the exact details but I think they don't have the right to see the content of the emails, but they are obliged to keep a log of the email addresses of all the people whith whom we communicate.... That's really sad

 

i know it's sad. But if that helps to stop illegal activities it's a price I am willing to pay. If some fat guy in a data center reads my emails, I don't really care. We lose privacy because some people take advantage of technology for evil purposes. That's just how the world goes. Have yet to see an email of mine published in a newspaper

OT: I just love all these flags. they are so cool