Snipping piracy would be high on the agenda, as Microsoft Corporation unveils its Windows Vista soon. The software maker is expected to release Vista to businesses in November and consumers in January.

It is expected that the software behemoth would take tough steps to put an end to piracy than previous versions of its operating system. This, according to reports, could include disabling computers found to be running unlicensed copies of the new software.

Users with Vista version suspected to be pirated will initially be denied access to some of the most sought after features like Windows Aero, an improved graphics technology, the company has said.

This would mean that a legitimate copy is to be bought within 30 days. Or else the system will curtail functionality much further by restricting users to just the Web browser for an hour at a time.

Though such a user would be able to use the browser to surf the internet, access documents on the hard drive or log onto e-mail, he would not be able to directly open documents from the computer desktop or run other programs, reports quoting top officials at Microsoft added.

In a bid to ensure that piracy is curtailed, Microsoft has also added sophisticated technology for finding out if a system is pirated. Furthermore, other steps are also being taken to more closely monitor for piracy among big corporate users who buy licenses in bulk.

Industry watchers have found a reason to study more on anti-piracy measures and have concluded that crackdown plans show how much more seriously Microsoft has started taking Windows piracy.

It may be recalled that the software mammoth had earlier put in place tougher piracy checks for Windows XP users who want to get free add-ons such as anti-spy ware.

With even tougher anti-piracy measures on the anvil for Vista, Microsoft wants to tell the world that its goal is to really make a differentiated experience for genuine and non-genuine users. Though the company does not expect the measures to be fully effective against hardcore pirates, the top men in the company believe that it will at lest help in preventing some lower-level piracy.