Turns out surreptitious Microsoft updates are no longer a PC-only problem. Microsoft’s Genuine Advantage program is designed to check that copies of Windows as well as Windows-based software (mainly Office) are properly licensed. The stated goal of this program is to “… giv[e] you full capabilities, access to all the latest updates, and confidence that you are getting the experience you expect.” (Source: MS Genuine Advantage Program Information). Until now, the nagging, pop-up reminders, and reduced functionality that accompany pirated Windows software have been exclusive to the PC realm. Unfortunately, with Office 2008, this appears to have changed.

Here is the scenario…

After leaving it out of Office 2008 along with Visual Basic for Applications, Microsoft has returned Solver to Excel 2008.

Prior to this addition, Office users would have to use Office 2004 for Excel if they needed solver, defeating the purpose of having Office 2008 on the system. It is a standalone application, and you have to run it alongside Excel. There is not a way to run it from within Excel.

More after the break.