Claiming it loses millions of dollars a year to piracy, Microsoft has crafted the new operating system to only display its special features if the PC is running a licensed version of Vista.
Microsoft said it intends to alienate so-called pirates that misuse its software by denying them access to Aero, Vista’s graphical interface that features many of the flashier aspects of the new operating system.
Users using a pirated version of the software that don’t pass muster with the anti-piracy checkpoint Windows Genuine Advantage Program only will be able to view the basic version of the new operating system, which is not entirely different from Windows XP.
Aero, also known as Aero Glass, only will run if computers are equipped with enough bandwidth capability and memory to properly display the graphical bells and whistles.
According to Microsoft, Aero requires bandwidth of at least 1,800MB per second, a Vista drive, and for small screens, at least 64 MB of graphics memory and 256MB for larger screens.
Aero’s special features, for those with the computer horsepower and the software license to view them, include live icons, “animated flips” between desktop programs, 3D and translucent glass effects and other high-end graphical surprises.
Microsoft said that Aero also will not be available to those who purchase the less expensive version of Vista, called Windows Vista Basic, making a clear delineation between those who can afford to run Aero and those who cannot.
Aero only will be available to purchasers of the more expensive versions of the operating systems such as Home Premium, Business, Enterprise or Windows Vista Ultimate.
Microsoft’s release date for Vista recently was postponed from the end of this year to early 2007.