Windows 7 copy protection to be beefed up next week

Microsoft revealed a new anti-copy update for Windows 7 will be released on February 16 on Microsoft's website. The Windows Activation Technologies Update detects over 70 activation exploits and will urge users to buy a legit version if an activation exploit is detected. Later this month, the update will be offered through Windows Update as an "important" update.

In the coming days, we’ll be deploying a new update for Windows Activation Technologies, the set of built-in activation and validation components built into Windows 7. Called Windows Activation Technologies Update for Windows 7, this update will detect more than 70 known and potentially dangerous activation exploits. Activation exploits are sometimes called “hacks”, and attempt to bypass or compromise Windows’ activation technologies. This new update is further evidence of Microsoft’s commitment to keeping customers and partners secure. The update will determine whether Windows 7 installed on a PC is genuine and will better protect customers’ PCs by making sure that the integrity of key licensing components remains intact.

More info at the Windows Blog.