One in five Windows installs not genuine
Microsoft reckons that more than 22% of Windows installs are counterfeit.
WGA has been in the press for the wrong reasons ever since its launch in July 2005, but Microsoft claims that over 512 million users have attempted to validate their copy of Windows.
Of that number, over 22% of the validations have been non-genuine, while 56,000 people have reported counterfeit software. Reporting pirated versions of the operating system grants the customer a free genuine version of the operating system in return for providing information about where the bootlegged software was obtained.
Although the software giant claims that over 22% of validations have failed, WGA has come under attack after a large number of false positives were reported. In addition, it's safe to say that not every pirate uses Microsoft's Windows Update service because of WGA's introduction.
This obviously brings the actual numbers revealed by Microsoft into question, but it should still shed some light on a best-case scenario for the number of counterfeit Windows installs. To put this into perspective, the Business Software Alliance has reported that 35% of the world's software is pirated - Windows piracy may be as high as this, but it's not easy for the company to extract accurate data if a pirate opts out of Automatic Updates.
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Discuss in the forums ReplyAt least it's cheap compared to Vista.
Doug
He promptly told them to **** off and just went on without those precious updates.
**Notice: This post does not imply that I may or may not have or had an illegal installation of a legitimate license that may or may not have been obtained through a person who may or may not be my brother who may or may not work at a university which may or may not be named CWRU.
Wow, why don't you just phone Microsoft and give them his details.
You fallen out with your brother? lol :D
EDIT: On a side note, I run a genuine copy of XP pro obtained through MSDNAA. Out of curiosity though, is windows update (and WGA validation) the only way to obtain updates for XP? I know there are sites like this one that allow you to manually update but does it still depend on a WGA check? If not, how would this ever deter pirates?
IF you're talking about the FCKGW then thats just stupid. MS have banned that for years.
If you obtain a Genuine Copy Illegally then how can it be Legal?
Yeah, thats so 2002. :p
I've got a legit copy of Windows XP Home, which was conveniently free from Uni.
I am tempted by Vista Home Premium though, I think I'll get it with my next upgrade. :)
Doug, I have the Business version from MSDNAA but I'm yet to install it.
Do you know what restrictions are in place in terms of changing hardware (i.e. mobo) on the MSDNAA license fpr Vista Business?
I know with the OEM copy it's a bit of a no-go, with full retail you get like 10 validations or something so what's the deal here?
I've not changed any hardware, but I think it won't cause any problems, it's a specific MSDNAA keycode, so when you re-activate it shouldn't cause a problem.
I know this because there was a problem with our Universities MSDNAA account and my original key was rescinded temporarily untill the problem was sorted. I got a warning from Windows that a hardware change had occurred and Windows needed to be re-activated, it refused my original key (I didn't realise the problem with the Universities account originally) and I had 30 days to get a new one. I got an email from MSDNAA with the new one and there was an option to request a new key (IIRC) if you needed one. So it should be OK.
When I get home from uni today, I'll give it a whirl.
I would expect there to be 1 legal Windows to 30 pirated.
Yes there Unix Linix and what have you but they are not compatible with 90% of the software and hardware out there like windows.
Yeah ditto, i'll be totally honest with you I don't know a single person who runs a legit copy of the OS. Now I don't think £50 for a copy of XP home is a bad deal its just that when its so easy to get a copy for free and theres no fear of retribution what ya gonna do?
i think i am the only person i know that has a legit copy of it.....
I must admit I don't know anyone who has a legit copy either, unless it came with their pc as oem.
I don't use XP but would probably consider buying an OEM copy of vista as around £100 aint that bad for an os that should last a good few years + all the updates/service packs that will come FOC. However to limit the changes you can make on your hardware is a bad, bad move. Not much point buying the damned software if I'm guna have to run a crack when I change my hardware!
*oops old sig with a win xp machine, cant quite remember if that one was legal....* *fixed*
I'm guessing that most of those people have an old computer or built their own computer?
99% of users buy a box and it comes with Windows. Unless the store is particularly dodgy it will come with a legit copy.
Linux comes in handy in that aspect, it just really needs to become more supported
Absolutely, I cant remember the last person who i know that bought a computer.
But I bet there'll come a time when the average bloke who buys his computer gets a virus and a format is needed.
Since a lot of these companies install the os for you but don't actually give you a hard copy they're screwed. And then its a case of installing a cracked copy that your techie-mate has. Now I know that most purchases probably say your entitled to a copy (in the small print somewhere) to be done by an engineer or some-such but who actually bothers going through all that hassle?
I'm frequently formatting and reinstalling windows, either for a HDD upgrade or a general clean out and the want of that new OS smell. Tuff @#$% if you run a power rig and at least twice yearly upgrade your mobo/CPU.
Unless ultimate comes with unlimited re-validations (as enthusiasts would need) then M$ are really living up to the $ part of their name. Single copy for say 2-3 computers would be nice too (WHOO WHOO next stop fairyland :| )
I have a legit copy of xp home (came with my laptop) I run xp pro (which I will probably buy now that vista will start knocking prices down) (because I use a network where i don't want my shared folders accessable to anybody)
I bet the figure for Photoshop is 99 illegal in 100. :| And Dreamweaver.
Wouldnt doubt it, those programs prices are outrageous.
Example:
Co-Pilot; I got this with a GPS unit I had a while ago, comes on a 1gb CD card. I recently got a new phone and it is a GPS unit aswell, so I had to re-install the program. Come to activate the software, it tells me that it's already activated, please de-activate the other version first. So, an email and 2 days later they let me activate it! After I explain that my old GPS unit went funny, and that my last desktop installed I re-formatted.
I got the job done but its hassle. I normally re-install windows twice a year, why have to ring up M$?????
Talking about update processes, Autopatcher does they job for me, just cant use Windows Media Player 10, oh boo-hoo, no bother there!
Regards
GiGo
Absolutely Not.... Blowing Up Laptops are strictly forbidden Therefore Illegal!
Unless your license is a retail one, extremely unlikely.
I don't know... The amount of corporate bulk license isn't that insignificant. 20:1 perhaps