Our bro's over at WinFuture.de are reporting Microsoft plans to introduce a new version of the windows genuine check. Activation of Windows XP is going to be required to get access to ALL downloads listed in Microsofts Download Center.

Here's a quick translation by Google.

This so-called Windows Genuine Advantage check is inserted at present with the distribution by safety-relevant files over Windows update. In this way Microsoft wants to guarantee that only the owners of duly licensed Windows versions can download the updates.

WinFuture.de or in German