Here's our Windows 95/98 Tip for.. June 2, 1999
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Win98 Registration Wizard and ID numbers
A couple of weeks ago, we talked about Intel's new Pentium III chip and it's use of the Processor Serial Number, and how some may see this as an invasion of thier online privacy.

As it turns out, even Microsoft has made use of the same kind of "stealth ID" technology.

It seems that the Windows 98 Registration Wizard (RegWiz), which is used when you register your copy of Windows 98 with Microsoft, also generates a unique hardware ID number (HWID) and a Microsoft ID (MSID) number based on your PCs configuration and the data you enter during registration. This information can be viewed and even manipulated by any Web site you visit. Microsoft has said it will eliminate the HWIDs from its registration database and issue a utility to remove the information from the Registry.

Well they have, and you can get this utility from Microsoft. Go to Start, Windows Update or visit http:/windowsupdate.microsoft.com. Once there, go to Product Updates and look for the Registration Wizard Update.