With Windows Vista, Microsoft shifted from the development path of Windows XP wide open to tampering with zero reaction, and has integrated an anti-piracy infrastructure into the platform. In direct correlation with the Windows Genuine Advantage and the Activation mechanisms, Windows Vista will be able to detect and blacklist non-genuine product keys, crack attempts, and identify the expiration of the initial 30-day grace period. The operating system will react to all by moving first into a non-genuine state and then into Reduced Functionality Mode.

The reduced Functionality Mode in Windows Vista is the now infamous Black Screen of Death. Just access the images at the bottom in order to make an idea of what the Black Screen of Death is. Essentially, in Reduced Functionality Mode, Windows Vista features no desktop, no Taskbar and no Start Menu. Additionally, the background wallpaper is changed to an immutable shade of black, just so you can understand the source of the Black Screen of Death reference. And on top of it all, the copy of the operating system is flagged as non-genuine, which is simply an euphemism for pirated.

Just to be on the safe side, I want to tell you that the Vista copy flagged as non-genuine featured in the screenshots is actually a genuine Microsoft release. Microsoft has made available as a free download Windows Vista Enterprise both as a standalone virtual hard disk image and bundled with Office 2007 Professional in a VHD designed to be integrated with Virtual PC 2007. Both free downloads come with an expiration period of 30 days, but the time should be more than sufficient to test drive the operating system.

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