Microsoft has revealed it is investigating the “improper” use of Windows Phone 7 Live Services activation keys on HTC HD2 devices.
Hacking group DFT (Dark Forces Team) recently released an experimental public release of Microsoft’s RTM build of Windows Phone 7 for the HTC HD2. Owners who decide to flash the ROM onto their HTC HD2 devices will require an authentication code to activate the Windows Live services on the device. Some users have contacted Microsoft’s official support lines requesting codes after falsely claiming their device is a HTC HD7. Microsoft has been issuing codes to allow the devices to access Windows Live services. WinRumors contacted Microsoft to confirm whether the company had any plans to block the unofficial phones. A Microsoft spokesperson said in mid-January that the company did not support users attempting to use Windows Phone 7 on their HTC HD2 devices.
Microsoft has now confirmed that it is investigating the activation keys. In a statement to PocketNow, a Microsoft spokesperson said the following:
“Microsoft does make product keys available for select support scenarios. These keys are not intended to allow for the installation of software onto unsupported hardware. We are investigating whether or not additional steps are needed to discourage the improper use of product keys.”
Microsoft unveiled Windows Phone 7 at the 2010 Mobile World Congress last year. The software giant was originally unclear whether or not the HD2 would receive an official upgrade. HD2 owners have previously had to stick with Windows Mobile 6.5 or try one of the many freely available Android builds that have been ported to the hardware. Microsoft refused to provide an official ROM as the device did not meet strict button requirements for Windows Phone 7.
Microsoft is on the verge of delivering its first platform update for Windows Phone 7. It’s unclear whether the company plans to block HTC HD2 owners from the update but the company has warned Windows Phone 7 jailbreaking applications will not work after the update. Microsoft is expected to release its first Windows Phone 7 update, codenamed “NoDo” on February 7.