Microsoft’s Windows Genuine Advantage program, aimed at preventing pirate copies of Windows from receiving updates and other Windows downloads, went into effect Monday.

Microsoft had been running the program as a pilot for several months, with optional validation, but as of Monday validation is now required for most Windows downloads from Microsoft.

In order to receive updates and Windows downloads from the Microsoft Download Center, Windows Update or Automatic Updates, your computer must pass through screening to determine if your copy of Windows is genuine.

The WGA validation process is designed to be quick and simple. On their first visit to the Microsoft Download Center, Windows Update or Microsoft Update, customers will be asked to participate in WGA. They will be prompted to download an ActiveX® control that checks the authenticity of their Windows software and, if Windows is validated, stores a special download key on the PC for future verification. The validation process does not collect any information that can be used by Microsoft to identify or contact the user. — Microsoft

If your computer fails validation, you will be given the opportunity to purchase Windows XP at a discount. If you send in proof that you received a counterfeit copy, including the original CD you received, you may be eligible for a free legitimate replacement.

Security updates remain available to all copies of Windows through the Download Center and Automatic Updates, but will not be available through Windows Update.

Unfortunately, I don’t have access to a pirate copy of Windows, so I was unable to test what happens when you attempt to update, but I do know from experience that not all security updates come into Windows Update or Automatic Updates, and it takes a little more work to keep your Windows system secure. Microsoft should be encouraged to ensure that all security updates become available through Automatic Updates, or their well-meaning gesture is for naught.

The Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer will get you whatever other security updates you need. Unfortunately it seems that you have to go through validation to get hold of it. Real smart, Microsoft.

Update 28 July: Boing Boing has an article on how to bypass Windows Genuine Advantage. It takes all of five seconds.

Update 6 August: Another article shows a better way to crack Windows Genuine Advantage.