No more Bogus Copies of Windows?`

[zolborg]

Has anyone else heard of this? I don't know if it's true or not, but I heard through the grapevine that Microsoft is doing a search over the Internet [of course] for Invalid copies of Windows XP. And when they find one they are erasing it from the computer?

I'm not sure about this but I heard it and wondered if anyone else has heard anything.

Glad I'm legit. A shame for those who tried to save money by cheating.

[raw]

That is completely ridiculous. MS can't prove that the copy is illegal without actually asking the alleged offender to prove they purchased it via a valid receipt or something of that matter which in that case would mean they would contact you legally.

The way they are tracking valid and invalid copies is by WindowsUpdate and things of that sort. They log it and it does get monitored.

[Scourge]

Lol, no I haven't heard of this. Not sure if that is even possible. I don't see how it would even be worth their time trying. Worst case is they would reinstall. I've been legit from the start with Windows 3.1 and DOS 5.0.

[Foo]

that's a really silly rumour.

[Scourge]

The way they are tracking valid and invalid copies is by WindowsUpdate and things of that sort. They log it and it does get monitored.

And on that note, you can have them mail you an update cd and not have to visit Windows Update. Of course you would miss out on updates between cd releases. I prefer however to keep mine completely up to date.

[obsidian]

Well, rather than go though automatic updates, couldn't you just download the service packs from the Microsoft Download Center? You can download separate .exe files used by network administrators, etc.

[Tormentius]

IMO they aren't about to take action on downloaded copies since there are just too many of them out there to bother with.

[Foo]

Plus in a way it helps their market dominance.

[Magnus]

The way they are tracking valid and invalid copies is by WindowsUpdate and things of that sort. They log it and it does get monitored.

This is true.

Plus in a way it helps their market dominance.

This is also true. Think of all the Windows based, Windows only compatible and Windows focused apps and programs out there that Microsoft stands to benifit from if loads of users run windows. Vast numbers of sofware will ever more be developed for the anticipated Windows users. This should in turn create a feeling of "I must use Windows in order to be able to use these great programs."

Sounds like standard marketing psychology to me.

Although I did find in one of my Updates a selection to install a Authentication App that would verify a valid install of Windows and other Mocrosoft and Windows based software.
So Microsoft may be prepairing for something simmilar to how Satalite TV companies periodicly send out a system wide siginal that fry those illegal activation cards, but do not harm the valad activation cards.

[dzjepp]

I think they did claim something about not having a corporate version of vista or sumat, which would prevent the piracy of vista ultimate edition, since it would require some kind of verification. Would be interesting to see how that turns out.

[dzjepp]

Well, rather than go though automatic updates, couldn't you just download the service packs from the Microsoft Download Center? You can download separate .exe files used by network administrators, etc.

I use http://www.autopatcher.com It's a godsend when you have to update a ton of networked machines. It installs everything with just one reboot.

[Tormentius]

So Microsoft may be prepairing for something simmilar to how Satalite TV companies periodicly send out a system wide siginal that fry those illegal activation cards, but do not harm the valad activation cards.

That would open them up to far more losses in lawsuits and public image than they would ever stand to gain. It will never happen.

[Magnus]

So Microsoft may be prepairing for something simmilar to how Satalite TV companies periodicly send out a system wide siginal that fry those illegal activation cards, but do not harm the valad activation cards.

That would open them up to far more losses in lawsuits and public image than they would ever stand to gain. It will never happen.

You're probably right.

Public image thing dosen't seem to be an issue for the satalite companies, but they are not in as much public light as Microsoft is so Microsoft may not be able to get away with the same actions without negative reprocussions.

Unless they developed a tailored worm that detected invalid Windows installs and only ate the Windowds OS components leaving no physical damage to the HD and leaving the HD blocks that had other data alone, but then you would have no access to your valad data without your OS.
Also if the worm had a malfunction and done unexpected damage there would be big legal problems.
So on second thought yea they would probably face lawsuits again so that course of action is out....heh.

I figure the "Vast numbers of sofware will ever more be developed for the anticipated Windows users (legal or non-legal). This should in turn create a feeling of "I must use Windows in order to be able to use these great programs." thing will more likely be the accepted result.

[^misantropia^]

Actually, it's a conspiracy of evil linux hackers. They are going to nuke off all illegal Windows copies and replace them with a free copy of Ubuntu Linux.

I've heard it on IRC so it must be true!

[Magnus]

Actually, it's a conspiracy of evil linux hackers. They are going to nuke off all illegal Windows copies and replace them with a free copy of Ubuntu Linux.

I've heard it on IRC so it must be true!