In theory, this method makes it easier for consumers to reactivate the software should the PC's hard drive ever be reformatted. Microsoft claims that no personal information is collected during the process, which essentially associates the software key and hardware configuration in a database of information collected for product activation. Product activation essentially locks the software to the computer's hardware configuration. "We can't speak to future products using this technology," the Microsoft representative said. Earlier Plus versions did not require a code key for installation. But other than in Windows XP Home, it has shown reluctance to use the technology in its stable of consumer products, such as the Encarta encyclopedia or Works Suite. The company later added the technology to the Windows XP, Visio 2002 and many other business software applications. Microsoft broadly introduced product activation with the release of Office XP in May 2001 earlier, installation of an Office 2000 service pack added a less-sophisticated version of the technology to the productivity suite. Beta versions of both products have been available for several months. The software titan also plans to release on Tuesday the final version of Windows Movie Maker 2 and Windows Media Player 9 Series. Microsoft will be launching Plus DME as part of its participation in the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The new Plus version offers features aimed at enhancing Windows XP's digital media capabilities, such as creating stories using digital photos or enabling a special party mode for Windows Media Player 9 Series. "In order to enable digital commerce, we needed to use a technology that allows consumers to easily purchase and use the product as well as protect against casual piracy." "Plus Digital Media Edition is the first Microsoft product to be sold digitally online," said a Microsoft representative in an e-mail response to questions about product activation. The change comes as the Redmond, Wash.-based software titan also has been experimenting with new methods for distributing software.
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