Microsoft really wants to make Windows 7 the least offensive OS ever. Case in point: They've made the little dialog box that pesters you into activating Windows less annoying.
In Vista, you couldn't shoo the little bastard away for at least 15 seconds. In Windows 7, you can make it vanish immediately by telling it you'll activate later, and all you get is a second little box telling you how awesome activation is.
Also, it seems like you won't have to worry about a non-genuine copy blowing up on you, since Microsoft's Genuine Windows unit's Alex Kochis talked about the "effective balance" Microsoft has acheived in annoying pirates, but not annoying them too much—so that Windows kill switch probably isn't coming back.
They're even trying to wash the bad taste Windows Genuine Advantage left in people's mouths by renaming it Windows Activation Technologies. Yeah, that sounds a whole bunch friendlier. [Cnet]