[meglamaniac]

In with this latest batch of updates is the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications (KB905474) - it's an optional install, and if you're one of the people who is *cough* not quite sure if their copy of Windows is legit or not *cough* then I would advise against it.

Basically it adds the equivilant of the "Activate now!" reminder that you get when you first install Windows, but does it for invalid installs instead. According to what I've read it plonks a nice logo on the login screen telling everyone how naughty you are, has a shareware style delay every so often (as in the login button is disabled until 10 seconds have passed so you can read the message, or something like that) and pops up reminder bubbles from the system tray.

Apparently these reminders can currently be turned off by the user, but this will not necessarily be the case forever, and indeed Microsoft are even contemplating making it REALLY like the "Activate now!" reminder in that it would actually disable the installation after a set period, although this is by no means a certainty at this stage.

Remember that it will also be installed whenever you run the Windows Genuine Advantage activex control - ie. when downloading certain non-critical updates such as Media Player version updates, or "value added content" like Microsoft Antispyware.

Looks like Redmond are playing for a takedown this time, by at the very least making using dodgy Windows installs incredibly annoying, effectively nagging you into buying a licence. Nice.