Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft, Commercial
Is Microsoft supporting Vista SP1 Upgrade Edition pirates?
by Danny Mendez Apr 3rd 2008 at 2:00PM
The loop-hole exists in the Vista SP1 Upgrade Edition, which requires a previous install of Windows 2000, XP, or Vista but the upgrade edition will install even if they're absent. The Vista SP1 Upgrade Edition retails for about $110 less than the full version of Vista SP1, which means users can save money on upgrading to Vista by purchasing the cheaper upgrade box.
Livingston believes Microsoft supports the hole since the upgrade edition installs over itself in Vista SP1. Although it may seem absurd at first, Microsoft may benefit from such software pirates -- if they can be called that anymore.
The theory behind this is already at play and has been at play for many years. As more and more users install some version of Windows, others will see it as "the standard", and then they will buy it -- or they'll pirate it and indirectly influence others to buy it.
Take, for example, Microsoft Office in the college environment. Many students pirate Microsoft Office because it's a great product, but it's also easy to get for free. These pirates support Office as "the standard" in the college environment, sending the message to their more honest -- or more rich -- counterparts that having it is necessary. If Office were difficult to pirate, its popularity would cease since free and useful alternatives exist.
So more Vista pirates should produce more Vista buyers, but keep in mind, this is simply a theory -- albeit a strongly supported one. Then again, big corporations wouldn't lie to us, right? That's what the TV says.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dance Lady said 12:37PM on 4-04-2008
I think so
http://www.i-guide.ro
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rossruns said 3:11PM on 4-03-2008
This was the case when Vista originally shipped, too. People were bitching and moaning about how the Home Premium version was $300+, but you could buy the Home Premium upgrade for something like $150 less, and just install it in a trial mode (i.e. don't enter your key) and then install the "upgrade" over the already-installed OS. I would have been surprised if they DIDN'T fix this loophole - it seems like a great way to get new customers - if someone is told they can get a new OS at a bargain price, or that they can "cheat the system", I think it's human nature that they'll be more willing to upgrade to a new OS over someone only given the option to pay full price.
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Gardiner Westbound said 3:22PM on 4-03-2008
Vista isn't worth $110. I wouldn't install Vista if M.S. gave it away.
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Quikboy said 8:29PM on 4-04-2008
And anyone would want to hear you Vista rant, why?
nka said 4:03PM on 4-03-2008
Windows Secrets, not Secretes
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web-downloadsquad.com said 4:56PM on 4-03-2008
Isn't that exactly what professional 3d software companies (eg. 3d Studio Max) have been doing for decades?
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whiskey said 11:53PM on 4-03-2008
Just like dope... First fix for free!
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dreamscape86 said 11:52AM on 4-04-2008
A) I really like Vista. Most people I've talked to who complain about it haven't used it for more than 10 minutes, and probably had the same complaints about XP when it was released.
B) Windows is Microsoft's product. If they want to leave it open for pirates, that's their business.
C) If someone is going to be unethical and buy a Vista upgrade when they don't own XP, why wouldn't they just save themselves even more money and download a pirated version from Bittorrent? I don't see this loophole as a huge "threat."
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Christopher Souvey said 3:57PM on 4-06-2008
In fact, Microsoft is using a similar strategy with students. They just recently came out with Microsoft DreamSpark, which provides free copies of Visual Studio, Expression Studio, XNA Game Studio, and Server 2003 to students. It works in a similar way. When these students graduate and join the industry, they are going to be experienced in these tools and contribute to their purchase. Its a brilliant move in my eyes - a gambit. Sacrifice the individuals, in exchange for the businesses (who have the most money anyways)
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