When it comes to Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) Microsoft is doing two things that almost counteract each other. First off Microsoft is easing up on the "Reduced Functionality Mode" for those users who don't pass the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) test. As of right now if you don't pass WGA Vista will disable premium features such as Aero Glass, ReadyBoost, games, and BitLocker.

Microsoft has done what I never expected them to do...they removed the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation that was previously needed to download and install IE 7! This news comes straight from the Internet Explorer blog, and this is their reasoning for doing it:

Last week there were some updates leaked for Windows Vista. These updates promised to cure the problems that have plagued many Vista users, including the slow file transfer times and slow resuming from standby.

Can you figure out which disc above is a counterfeit copy of Windows Vista? Most people probably wouldn’t be able to tell which is why software piracy is an increasing problem for both the people looking to purchase applications as well as the companies developing the software.

Microsoft has already sold 20 million Vista licenses in the month of February, and it looks like they’re pushing sales even more using a Windows Genuine Advantage check.

We’ve mentioned Windows Genuine Advantage over and over now.

As Microsoft continues their battle with Piracy, they have disclosed that one in five, or 22% of Windows installations are not genuine.