Microsoft Corporation is withdwawing from a previous anti-piracy system which disables programs on users' computers when it suspects the software is pirated, opting instead for the gentler approach of nagging popup alerts. Microsoft said late yesterday that it plans to roll out the new version of Windows Genuine Advantage with their first "service pack" release for Windows Vista, due sometime in the first quarter of 2008.

Currently, when computer users attempt to activate a copy of Windows Vista or when they try to download software from the Microsoft Web site, the Windows Genuine Advantage system scans their computer for signs of pirated software. If the tool finds an unauthorized copy of Vista, Vista features are locked or suspended.

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