Taking a page from scores of developers who offer entry-level "Express" versions of their programs, Microsoft is battling software piracy with a stripped-down version of Windows XP, which the company hopes will appeal to users who might otherwise turn to bootleg copies of the full version. The catch: the new version, Windows XP Starter Edition, is only available in developing nations, only comes pre-installed on new computers, and won't even run on high-end computers. The program launched officially this week in Mexico, after pilot programs in Thailand, India, Russia, Malaysia and Brazil. While this sounds like a better way to go after the piracy problem than installing onerous verification systems, as Microsoft has done in the rest of the world, Starter Edition will still be more expensive — and more limited — than Linux. And if honest customers really want a low-end, limited version of Windows, they can always pick up a copy of Windows 98, which is still available from many online dealers for under $50.