Windows 7 activation hacked

Code within Windows 7 (the latest release of Microsoft's popular operating system) to ensure that all copies are genuine has already been hacked in a move that mirrored a similar quick compromise of the validation software when Windows Vista was launched.

As a result of the hack, users can get hold of full copies of the software without a product activation key, and Microsoft said when asked for comment:

"We're aware of this workaround and are already working to address it."

They closed the Vista loophole with a Windows Update.