Microsoft is ratcheting up the anti-piracy and validation features in Windows Vista. Customers in a retail or volume environment will have to activate their product within 30 days, during which time the product will be fully functional, albeit with repeated reminders to activate.

Failing that, the product moves to reduced functionality mode, but a key can be entered at any time and the product will then revert to regular mode, according to Cori Hartje, director of Microsoft's Genuine Software Initiative.

But, in addition, validation will now occur every time software updates are required. If the software is found not to be genuine at a later date, genuine add-ons like the Aero user interface, Windows Defender and ReadyBoost, which expands virtual memory, will no longer work, and the user will again be put in a 30-day activation notice to become genuine again.

Then, at the end of 30 days, the machine will move into reduced functionality mode for validation, and users will only get an hour of reduced experience Internet access before being logged off. They will then have to log on again before getting another hour of Internet access.