Windows 7 WAT 02/13/10
See: http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000681.html
Lauren Weinstein's Blog

Applies to Windows 7 all versions starting 02/16/10:

Patch KB971033 Windows Activation Technologies (WAT):

"The release of Windows 7 "Update for Microsoft Windows 
(KB971033)" will change the current activation and 
anti-piracy behavior of Windows 7 by triggering 
automatic "phone home" operations over the Internet to 
Microsoft servers, typically for now at intervals of 
around 90 days.

The purpose? To verify that you're not running a pirated 
copy of Windows, and to take various actions changing 
the behavior of your PC if the WAT system believes that 
you are not now properly authenticated and "genuine" 
-- even if up to that point in time it had been declaring 
you to be A-OK. "

The patch is tagged as an "Important Update" but is 
optional if automatic updates are turned off.

Because the patch could cause loss of functionality
among other annoyances, either don't install it or
uninstall it ASAP. 

Optionally refuse to accept the patch in the update process.