I can confirm that the scheme works. I've had the script running on Windows Vista Ultimate inside Virtual PC 2007 and already netted two product keys. Now I've not used these keys to try to activate Windows, but others have reported successfully activating their copies of Windows Vista using keys found in this way. There are, however, some drawbacks to the keygen that will probably prevent it from becoming widespread. (http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=296)

I post this because it will probably be discussed.

Hopefully MS will put a stop to this quickly.

I wouldn't bother trying. With previous versions, if you never accessed the internet, you had nothing to worry about. With Vista, however, that won't work.

The Windows Vista EULA allows for a "Deadman's Switch". The expression "Deadman's Switch" comes from the railroad industry. It's a lever or grip that has to be kept pressed on at all times by the engineer. If he suffers a heart-attack or stroke or whatever, he lets go of the switch, and it brings the train to a halt. A much better situation than not stopping.

In software "Deadman's Switch" has a more sinister meaning. It's esentially a system where software (OS or app) has to phone home and be validated every so often, or else it shuts down. Go to http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/useterms/ and select
Product Name: Windows Vista
Version: Home Basic
Language: English
click on "GO" and download the pdf. Here are the relevant sections...
5. VALIDATION.
a. The software will from time to time validate the software, update or require download of the
validation feature of the software. Validation verifies that the software has been activated and
is properly licensed. Validation also permits you to use certain features of the software or to
obtain additional benefits. For more information, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39157.

[...skip section b...]

c. If, after a validation check, the software is found not to be properly licensed, the functionality of
the software may be affected. For example, you may
need to reactivate the software, or
receive reminders to obtain a properly licensed copy of the software,
or you may not be able to
use or continue to use some of the features of the software, or
obtain certain updates or upgrades from Microsoft.

Section a says that from time to time Vista may REQUIRE YOU TO DOWNLOAD verification software. Section c says that if you don't allow successful verification, Vista may go into reduced functionality mode.

Another quote from the article is..
Bottom line is buy Windows or go Linux.
I chose option 2 years ago. As "a linux ******", I hope that Vistas' anti-piracy efforts are 100% successful. Linux's problem competing with Windows has been that "you can't compete with free".:p

I absolutely despise MS tactics here. No, I am most definitely not advocating or defending piracy. But, MS has chosen an incredibly invasive and anti-consumer method of attempting to thwart piracy.

Most notably, I do not believe that their EULA adequately describes the information being collected and how it's being used. I very strongly suspect MS is non-compliant with PIPEDA and, once I upgrade a PC to Vista, will be filing a complaint with the federal Privacy Commissioner.

While I personally will only use a purchased version of Vista, I have no axe to grind with those who choose to demonstrate it is possible to defeat MS's anti-consumer protection schemes. Eventually, maybe they will figure that screwing the consumer around does nothing to protect them from privacy and that there must be a less invasive and fairer method of protecting their intellectual property.

I have been burned by a valid copy of XP that failed to boot due to a validation failure and inability to even enter a new activation code. What happened? I upgraded the hard drive. A full reinstallation was required.

According to the Vista EULA and various reports, Vista validation requirements can only be worse than XP. MS is pretty good at detecting bootleg keys and invalidating licenses using updates and service packs. If you want to "play" with Vista for awhile, the key generator is Ok. If you need a stable working environment, it's probably best to avoid it.

What happens to Vista if you are working "off the grid" so to speak? I have encountered PCs that for security purposes did not have an Internet connection. In fact they didn't even have a network card. Can you phone in your "deadman" status?

Good Question Jake, I wonder if the rules apply to non "business" versions only?

Yes, you can phone in if you have no internet access.

In a business environment, with more than 25 licenses, MS suggests you set up a license computer running Vista or Server 2003 for all your workstations to check into that computer every 120 days rather than going through the Internet.

Oh, and about that Vista "key generator", if anyone here is thinking of trying one be warned as almost all of them have a nasty little trojan waiting inside for you.

Forget the brute force method, there is another method during the rounds now, that only needs 5 steps to get your choice vista activated, even when you go on microsoft site as well.

Apparently the "brute force" method was a hoax (http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/03/03/1339209). A new crack released by the group known as Paradox "emulates an OEM machine's BIOS and installs an OEM license". Note that Royalty OEM (Dell, etc.) machines apparently don't need activation.

Paradox info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PARADOX_%28warez%29

More on info about Vista crack here (article linked to in Digg): http://www.uploadcrap.com/?subaction=showcomments&id=1172962283&archive=&start_from=&ucat=&

It's only a matter of time before people slipstream "these cracks" into vista RTM downloads

http://apcmag.com/5512/pirate_crack_vista_oem_activation