Question : Microsoft remotely checking registry?

[Comments only please!  I'll ask the submitter of the best answer to lock the question]

I've heard that Microsoft can remotely check the registry of Win98 machines connecting to their site to discover info about applications (possibly to detect illegal copies).

I'am interested in the subject because:
1. It is a potential security hole.
2. My company might want to do something something similar.
3. I'm nosy.

Please provide URLs to *technical* information regarding the issue (not anecdotal "MS sues....").
I'd prefer to avoid the legal speculation and focus on whatever facts we can get our hands on.
Does anyone really know what happens when a user upgrades Win98 online?

Answer : Microsoft remotely checking registry?

Thanks Alexo!

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Alexo, unfortunately this is a function of the US State Dept as it applies to security issues. Although I disagree as smarter programmers can easily work around the issues, and it is not as though someone from Europe or the Middle East couldn't purchase the US version, nevertheless, that's where the problems stem from. As for Win 98 and NT, don't be suprised if you find certain components missing or degraded. We learned of this problem when shipping desktops and servers to Europe and used the appropriate OS on to find a multitude of incompatibilities.

>> Further, there will be some updates that will not be the same
Could you imagine that *none* of the upgrades is guaranteed to work with the localized version?  In fact, most will screw up a system beyond all recognition if applied (without as much as checking the version or anything).  To make matters worse, *no* upgrades, patches, service packs or whatever are available for the localized versions.

Yes, we know and it is a huge problem for worldwide Intranets.

However, I've heard that NT5 final (aka Win2000) will support all languages without requiring a localized version.  Can you confirm?

Win 2000 outside of the US and Canada will still be degraded as far as we know. We are working on an E-Commerce problem now that involves credit transactions that can be handled in the US and Canada but not in Europe.

I'm surprised you mention ZD as one of the "better" sites.  As a regular reader of PCMag (we get it at work) I'm not overly impressed...

Alexo, don't view them at "first blush", use it to drill down to related articles and comments from others. We don't rely on what any particular site has to say, but use them to collect information and resources.
Dennis