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Microsoft Product Activation DebateMicrosoft's product activation system, used on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Microsoft Office, has become the subject of much debate, primarily because it was the first widespread use of a product activation system. Critics claim the product activation is inconvenient. Users must reactivate their product if they change hardware or reinstall the operating system, and if the product is activated too many times the user must contact Microsoft by telephone to reactivate the product. Activation over the telephone is a time-consuming process involving the entry of a 64-digit product ID and an 80-digit activation code. Note that, however, product activation has typically been handled in a professional manner. Microsoft does not require the user to register their product to activate, nor do they require any personally-identifiable information. Because of the nature of the activation system, Microsoft cannot even determine the unique serial numbers in your computer from the activation number. Moreover, Microsoft has handled their call center well; most users report hold times of less than five minutes. Activation still remains controversial. It can often be a hindrance or inconvenience to those who change their hardware regularly (such as hardware reviewers). Moreover, if the user has to reinstall their operating system, they will often be forced to call Microsoft to reactivate. Microsoft introduced this scheme in order to curb piracy, and what Microsoft terms "casual copying", where a purchaser of a product gives a friend a copy of the CD or where the purchaser installs the software on all computers that this person may own - which may be against the EULA; Microsoft has released special discount licensing programs for these kinds of actions. However some people dislike this scheme as being overly prohibitive and inflexible. Activation, however, has done little to curb "casual copying". Many "casual copiers" have simply resorted to using activation cracks, which illegally circumvent the activation system. In addition, there is a corporate version of XP which requires no activation whatsoever; this edition has become extremely popular among software pirates. Criticism from users * PC World article with criticism
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