26 replies to this topic

[shyam]

MICROSOFT HAS started implementing features in upgrades to Windows XP which specifically prevent users of pirated keys from upgrading parts of the operating system. Microsoft said its Genuine Advantage scheme would prevent pirated copies of XP from downloading anything but the most critical downloads. Owners of pirated keys in Western Europe tell the INQUIRER that scheme has now kicked in. What this means, for example, is that if you upgrade the Media Player to version 10, and you're using a pirated copy of XP, you'll lose functionality on your machine.

Microsoft said it would launch the scheme in China at the end of October, and throughout Europe early next year. But it appears to have implemented it early. Pirate users are being invited to either validate their copies of the operating system, or to download and pay for a full version of Windows XP.

[rejected]

So what you're saying is I can't upgrade to anything new of Microsoft without them finding out it's pirated?

[Galahad]

Well, with that, I think more of us will be transfering on Linux I guess... Or we'll have outdated software

[andyy15]

That's bad news :-( But if you think about it I would think Microsoft would spend more time trying to find businesses that are using pirated versions of Windows XP.

[onie]

and then so what... there are many other os other than windows isnt it!! you could always use linux.. its the best MORE stable than windows and the best part of all
it is free

[NeXDesigns]

I think it is good that they are doing it.
I think when someone pirates a program, they are saying that it isnt that good. And windows is buggy at times, but it has some quite useful advantages (namely pretty much everything is for windows)

I say help microsoft out or else they make never make windows again, and then everything would be useless.

[Crazyducky]

But still we may have outdated software or what other people are saying that we may not be able to download!

[solankyno1]

If Microsoft do this thing than most of the persons will migragte to linux because It is very expensive to purchase the original.

[Vacant]

If you have a pirated copy of XP its your own stupid fault, really in my opinion. Theres plenty of ways to get legit software, I don't think you should even be allowed "the most critical updates". Grow up and do it properly.

Just a thought: Microsoft can tell if your version of XP is pirated. Presumably they knew this all along, so why dont they just terminate unregistered/pirated versions of XP? Just a thought.... I guess its probably not that simple.

[Danieluchis]

well.. thats terrible.. thanks god that i have an original version of XP but what the other are saying is true, that's fool from microsoft cuz if that's an strategy well i think that instead of changin to legitimate versions they'll just change to linux. u_u