Microsoft threatens to cripple pirated Vista PCs

Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, Commercial

Microsoft threatens to cripple pirated Vista PCs

by Jordan Running Oct 4th 2006

Microsoft says it will be taking a much harsher stance on piracy with the release of Windows Vista. According to the AP, users running a pirated version of the new version of Windows will initially be locked out of some of Vista's most touted features including the eye-candy Aero interface. If they don't ~~pay Microsoft's ransom~~ buy a copy of Vista that Windows Genuine Advantage believes is legit within 30 days, the situation will escalate and users will only be able to browse the web for an hour at a time and will be unable to "directly" open their documents or email. The AP article quotes analyst Roger Kay who says "There will be an XP backlash, which is to say people clinging to XP in order to avoid this," and that though the deterrents won't be very effective against hardcore pirates, they might stop some "lower-level" piracy. ZDNet's Ed Bott has some more valuable details about Microsoft's new "punishment regime," and isn't too happy about it.

[Via Engadget]

Tags: microsoft, piracy, security, spp, vista, wga, windows

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Andrew said 2:52AM on 10-05-2006

This is a big mistake for M$, one of the reasons they have such a dominant market position is due to an entire generation of pirated Windows users that are used to not paying for a home OS. When you are presented with OS options such as Vista w AERO (its price)and all its Mac like goodness, consumers now have a buying decision to make for the home PC which could be Mac, Windows or Ubuntu or some derivative. M$ should be thrilled they have such a dominating position in business and leave home users free to pirate and train another generation of Microsoft OS disciples for the work force of the future.

shadekh said 4:03AM on 10-05-2006

The funny thing is, thanks to msoft's dominance in the field, people who want to use a computer will have to pony up money for their OS no matter what. Its not much of a choice, seeing how linux is only for the tech minded and has low software support, while Mac OSX is hardware restricted.

One cannot keep using Xp for long, as soon, MS will end support and new devices coming in and all will make XP useless. I would say ms's actions are justified in halting piracy, but isnt this a case of the pot calling the kettle black? MS will take your money whether you like it or not.

Plus, i absolutely hate my privacy invaded. I dont want my OS calling redmond ever so often, or even more invasive procedures. They only harm the actual users and not the pirates themselves (drm anyone?).

Aiden said 4:39AM on 10-05-2006

To be fair it is Microshaft's OS they wrote it, they can do what they want with it, dont like it? dont use it, thats your only choice.

As some one above said, something about MS ending suppot, they only ended support on 98 like 4 month ago, chances are youve still got several years to use your XP, legit or not.

Mikael said 6:00AM on 10-05-2006

Something tells me I switched to OS X just in the right time.

Cuprohastes said 6:47AM on 10-05-2006

WTF? MS is making Windows run like a demo instead of locking it down alltogether and people are whining?
"Wah wah wah, I won't be able to pirate Windows no more, wah"?

Get a grip.

bryan said 8:37AM on 10-05-2006

I really like that picture. It made me laugh. I don’t have a problem with this, as long as my genuine copy doesn’t crap out on me. I had an windows update fail on me a while back, and XP started accusing me of not being genuine. It was a real pain. After I reinstalled all the updates, I was cool again.

If you don’t like it...don’t buy it. Most consumers will upgrade their entire PC in order to get their copy of Vista. Only the tech minded will be purchasing a copy on its own. All major PC manufacturers will be including Vista, so XP will die with the older machines. I hope this upsets the tech community enough to get some more OS’s in the mainstream. Apple and Ubuntu are in a great position if they exploit this enough.

johnnyg0 said 9:35AM on 10-05-2006

I really can't wait to see how much legit Vista systems will be tagged as couterfeit and how much time those systems users will be locked out of their own computers before MS fixes it (recent studies showed 42% of WGA problems were on legit and legal windows installation that are not recognized as such). I would just LOOOVE to see my legit Vista going in "reduced mode" because the latest version of WGA (err, SPP) thinks its pirated.

This is not going to happen in my house, its going to be real simple for me, for my main workstation (with Cubase SX, Photoshop and other large apps, that I paid btw) I'll stick with XP, and for my secondary computer (for Internet, mail, etc) : Hello Ubuntu! How are you today!, lemme say goodbye to Vista and I'll get back to you. Good bye Vista.

PS: I installed Ubuntu on a PC for the first time this week, and guess what: Its more easy to install than XP!! HAHA! Linux is not only for the tech minded anymore.

Jordan Running said 9:55AM on 10-05-2006

Bryan and Johnnyg0 nailed it. Yes, Microsoft has every right to disable pirated copies of Vista. What they don't have--and they've proven this with every new version of Windows Genuine Advantage--is the ability to accurately figure out which copies are actually pirated. In my opinion, as soon as they mistakenly cripple a single legitimate copy of Vista, they've overstepped their bounds.

Yatrik said 10:17AM on 10-05-2006

AWESOME picture. Took me a second to figure out what the hell it was though. Great work!

Jack said 10:25AM on 10-05-2006

What give you the idea that pirates want to install vista ?

it SUCKED

Ken said 7:49AM on 10-06-2006

I'll agree with Andrew in #1. Microsoft managed to dominate the OS market by allowing pirated copies to run in any PC. Was it difficult back then to use activation methods or other ways to prevent privacy? Of course it wasn't.

Now that the own the OS market, they charge whatever they want and use insane methods to protect their software.

Now it's the time for Apple to sell a version of Leopard that runs on every PC. Bonus points will be awarded if it is easily pirated. It will be a more tempting option against the evil MS Vista.

Mustang News 2010 said 4:57PM on 10-10-2006

Andrew #1 how the heck does allowing people to steal their software benefit microsoft? It's like saying Cadillac has a dominant position in the marketplace because more people right now are driving stolen Escalades. It makes no sense.

Azm said 10:26AM on 12-13-2006

I think Microsoft should use strict methods only to block pirated copies of Vista Ultimate. Versions like home basic etc. should not be protected harshly. MS has ruled the OS market for over a decade and now its time for their downfall. I believe that Vista is gonna bring them down to the ground. Vista demands more powerful hardware. This means that the cost of any PC running vista will automatically go up. People will definitely think 20 times before they decide to go with Vista. Not to mention, Macs and Linux es are catching up. so i would be surprised if Vista makes good money for MS.

Fred said 2:15AM on 1-04-2007

Screw MS and all amerikan "copyright" scams. MS should be forced to PAY everone that has ever used their crap software. It has caused more people more grief than any other attack on peoples time. MS is a TIME THIEF!

Hang up a sign - "MS patent scam not recognised here".

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