What is an ActiveX control and why is it needed for validating Windows?
ActiveX controls are components used by Internet Explorer. These controls, or “add-ons,” enhance the browsing experience by allowing animation or helping with tasks, such as installing security updates from Microsoft Update or validating genuine Microsoft software. The validation processes for Windows uses an ActiveX control to check the authenticity of your software. The first time you run validation from Windows or request a genuine Windows download from the Microsoft Download Center or Microsoft Update, you’ll be asked to install an ActiveX control. The ActiveX controls used by genuine Windows validation are signed by Microsoft Corporation. If you do not see sufficient evidence of the Microsoft signature, you should not download the control. If an ActiveX control does not contain a valid publisher signature, Internet Explorer will prompt you with a security warning and prevent you from downloading it to your PC. When validation is done for the copy of Windows that is running on your
