If I disable Windows 7 updates completely, will that ensure that Microsoft cannot disturb the activation enabled by a patch or hack or blacklisted key, or are there validity checks that take place regardless of Windows Update settings?
If you completely isolate yourself from the internet, you can assure yourself Microsoft will never know you exist. But who wants to do that? However, Windows Update is not the only way 7 communicates with Microsoft. Open the Task Scheduler and look under Microsoft|Windows and you'll find multiple instances where your OS talks to MS on a regular basis with all sorts of data being reported. Just go with a recommended activation method listed on this site, Daz's loader for instance, and not worry about it. Methods not listed on this site are chancy at best.