Oh yes, lovely of them to allow you to actually use the software you bought. Perhaps we should just build windows into everyones income tax, so even if you don't actually plan on buying a PC this year you're covered, just in case? Would that be nice and convenient for you? I'm sure Microsoft wouldn't mind.

Apologies if this has already been mentioned, ad infinitum, but I really hate the way these measures end up punishing the "good guy". ie: I have a copy of Vista on my PC, which was installed when I purchase it, and is therefore entirely legit. But, I have never activated, mainly because I can't be assed. This particular box is not connected to the internet, nor does it have any (convenient) connectivity I can use to connect it, without running ethernet through a couple of rooms. So of course, I'm now being persecuted by my legally purchased OS (makes me wait to log in, won't save my desktop settings, etc.), because I haven't kissed MS's ass yet, and called them for an activation code. Yes I know this would be very easy to do, but it just irks me that I *have to*. And yet, if I had downloaded a cracked version of Vista, I wouldn't be getting this crap. I bought the freakin thing, it's mine, I own it. This is no way to go about providing an operating system for computer users. They need to ditch this preoccupation with squeezing their customers. So what if some fat-cat can't afford a new Rolls-Royce every year due to some people getting free copies of their OS, why the hell should that be my problem? I'm the one that DID pay for it, fer crissakes. Sorry if this adds exactly nothing to the discussion, I just had to moan to somebody...