Like Windows Vista, Windows 7 has been reportedly cracked by some Chinese blogs, before its retail release due in Mid September. This is a huge setback for Microsoft which has been reporting that their new Operating System scores high on security.

This hack has been created using an RTM (Release to Manufacture) version of Windows 7. Microsoft releases all its Operating Systems to computer manufacturers much before the retail release to ensure that manufacturers test their hardware with the new OS and are ready to provide computers to consumers with latest OS bundled at the time of retail launch. A Lenovo machine was apparently used to create this hack.

The leaked ISO image file was available on some chinese blogs and sites. It retrieves the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) SLP key along with the activation key to provide an activated copy of Windows 7. This happens because OEMs are allowed (in most cases) to sell pre-activated computer systems with specific SLP keys, common to all their systems. It has been said in these blogs that this is a master key and can be used to activate Windows 7 on any computer from any manufacturer.

Microsoft has confirmed the reports and communicated that they will blacklist the leaked key and will safeguard interest of genuine customers. Microsoft also said, again, that if Windows 7 is installed using this crack, it will be prone to virus and spyware infections and will not be able to install Windows updates and fixes.

Source: Neowin.net