Since Vista Service Pack won’t have a ‘kill switch’ what does that mean for Office?
Microsoft has announced that Windows Vista Service Pack 1 will not have the despised ‘kill switch’ – the ability for Microsoft to disable Vista remotely if they beleive the software is stolen, even after the activation is completed. That system raised the possibility of legitimate users finding themselves with a disabled Vista at any time in the future.
With the upcoming Vista Service Pack 1 the ‘kill switch’ will be replaced with a ‘nagging’ system where Vista will continue to operate but with various alerts and notices about the improper licence on the machine. You’re given the choice to go online to buy a licence for Vista and switch the nagging off.
As usual, there’s no direct appeal process available. Microsoft hasn’t allowed for the possibility of an error by them – with a ‘nagging’ Vista your choices are to put up with the ‘nagging’, pay more money to Microsoft or stop using Vista. There’s no supplied option for appeal to Microsoft, arguing that you do have a legitimate Vista licence.
All this is good news for Office users – it makes it unlikely that Microsoft will implement a ‘kill switch’ in Office 2007. The company has never explicitly denied the possiblity for Office 2007.
At present, Office 2007 will drop back to ‘reduced functionality mode’ if it’s not activated. What’s never been made clear is whether Microsoft can ‘withdraw’ the licence for Office 2007 after activation. The Vista SP1 decision makes that possibility less likely – but still possible.
