>> because of complaints about the activation-wizard, http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-6387054.html
>
>Thank you for making my point: "While people must activate Office XP and Windows XP, contrary to popular belief, Microsoft does not force them to disclose personal information. Product registration is not compulsory with activation."

I try to present both sides of a question, that is why I included that URL

But, from http://www.epic.org/privacy/consumer/MS_complaint.pdf , page 9 reading
paragraphs 47 to 51 reveals another certainty: While Microsoft claims product registration is voluntary, users cannot receive support services for products without registering for Microsoft Passport and completing a profile. (paragraph 49 of the complaint.) Not only that, Hotmail tracks users through Passport (paragraphs 53 to 55)
Also, consumers have no guarantee that 3rd party users of Passport information will follow the privacy policy of MS, or that MS will follow it either. (75 -77)
And, then, you have the ledgendary lack of security of microsoft controlled web servers, so even if MS tries its best to honor its own policy, the lack security exhibited by servers under MS control gives little confidence to consumers that their CC, SSN and other info won't be stolen. Mr Alsop, less than a month ago, expressed his concern. (88-90)

The amended complaint: http://www.epic.org/privacy/consumer/MS_complaint2.pdf
details changes announced by MS due to public outcries... but some things haven't changed. MS has folded firewalling into XP and blocks 3rd party firewall software, like blackice. Will anyone buy those products if they get XP's version for 'free'. Shades of IE vs Netscape. Microsoft will require 3rd party firewalls do what XP does, follow their "Digital Rights Managment" (DRM) "standard'. DRM will routinely monitor use of info in digital formats, and require divulging personal info to access certain sites. (12 -13) also paragraphs (25 to 31).

Passport provides no mechanism for users to cancel their accounts, and deleting database records. MS has told users that at least one year must pass to allow accounts to "expire". Routine privacy standards, such as collection limitations and data quality are ignored by Passport. Contrary to Microsoft's representation, users will have little control over their personal data stored in Passport. The linking of GUID's, passed by applictions to Passport servers & Microsoft automatically, will allow MS to link unregistered WinXX users with their installed Software. MS wins either way, and Bill has got to be laughing his head off when he tells folks they don't need to supply personal info to 'register' their software. Besides, Bill reserves the right to change Passport's terms of service when he wants, without having to inform you.

Paragraphs 47 and 48 are especially worrisome.
JLK