Microsoft planning new Windows 7 piracy check

[Gig4moller]

Though we seem to agree that linux should be a valid solution for most people who think Windows is an overpriced piece of junk?

Fixed that for you.

[saaya]

known activation exploits that may affect their PC experience.

hahah oh my god... pleeeease

[RHKCommander959]

my legit install already barks about checking for validity when not online

[Sparky]

my legit install already barks about checking for validity when not online

What? Once activated it shouldn't care anymore. Not like it is constantly validating itself

[Xoulz]

Yes... did you read the first post? If you were an uninformed user who didn't know what any of that meant you would think that your PC was insecure and run to install that update, which is what MS wants. Lying to and trying to intimidate customers is not alright in my book


I have had to reinstall Windows for too many people whose computer wouldn't boot/work after installing a Windows update to ever use them.


Wow this is some pretty convoluted and nonsensical reasoning. Let me just break it down for you:
1. Pirates won't install this
2. If they do and it changes they're background, they're not going to say "Oh well, it was fun while it lasted let me go buy it for $200" They're just going to reinstall Windows and not use this update again
3. If instead of wasting time with this useless patch Microsoft had just spent time developing a more secure OS there would be even less malware, viruses, etc. ALREADY



Again, I am not at all trying to get into a discussion about the price of Windows or people pirate it, my issue is with Microsoft misleading its users about the function and purpose of this update.

Again...


Microsoft customers don't know about this, will probably never know about this, or even care... it will be just another auto update! When you own a legit copy, you just never worry about such things and Windows takes care of itself.

The ONLY people who care, are the ones that should care (ie: thieves). Understand?



Secondly, take advice from me, just don't work on other people computer who don't have the common courtesy to use a legit copy of Windows. That way reinstalling, or updating won't be such a hassle.

I built 9 systems for family/friends/co workers just before Xmas. Not one install problem.. not one transfer of OS problem. XP/Vista/7.. a simple phone call is all it takes. (if you have a legit copy)

MS is there to HELP you... but if you've lived your whole life in fear(ie: theive)... then I would be as paranoid as you too.

[nn_step]

Again...


Microsoft customers don't know about this, will probably never know about this, or even care... it will be just another auto update! When you own a legit copy, you just never worry about such things and Windows takes care of itself.

The ONLY people who care, are the ones that should care (ie: thieves). Understand?



Secondly, take advice from me, just don't work on other people computer who don't have the common courtesy to use a legit copy of Windows. That way reinstalling, or updating won't be such a hassle.

I built 9 systems for family/friends/co workers just before Xmas. Not one install problem.. not one transfer of OS problem. XP/Vista/7.. a simple phone call is all it takes. (if you have a legit copy)

MS is there to HELP you... but if you've lived your whole life in fear(ie: theive)... then I would be as paranoid as you too.

It may only take a phone call to fix it, but you fail to take into account the amount of lost revenue that such time would cost. I've meet professionals that have lost thousands of dollars because the 45 mins that it took to correct a mistake made by microsoft.

[Xoulz]

It may only take a phone call to fix it, but you fail to take into account the amount of lost revenue that such time would cost. I've meet professionals that have lost thousands of dollars because the 45 mins that it took to correct a mistake made by microsoft.

Why would a "professional" use a cracked version of Windows..? (45 minute phone call to Microsoft for validation keys? lulz)

[kromosto]

so microsoft is happy with what people thinks about w7. why they didnt make a better copy protection until now is they want to erase MICROSOFTS vista from people minds. so now they believe mission is accomplished

[Buckeye]

Hackers don't care about any of this, they will just work around it and do what they like to do, hack.

This is more of a protection for people who go into a local shop or buy online, purchase a machine and get a real version of windows installed.

I posted this in another thread but can't remember where it is now.

A few years ago two of my uncles purchased machines from a local guy here in town with XP Pro installed. All was fine until one day I get a call asking me why there machines keep popping up this non legit windows warning box and asking them to valadate Windows. Turns out this guy was selling machines with hacked copies of XP on them.

We took the machines back to him and he just hacked in another code which lasted a few weeks. They finally had to repurchase XP from a download link MS provided.

There was also a link on this warning box to report where you purchsed the machine from.

Keep in mind this guy had been in business for 5 years or so so I imagine he had a fair number of people that this problem popped up with. He closed his store down not to much later.

All of us here know enough to spot these things, why didn't my new machine come with a ligit copy of windows install disk, or that sticker that they "should" put on the back of the machine that shows a legit copy of windows installed.

But a huge number of people do not know these things and buy these machines from local shops etc and get burnt.

I am all for protection for the consumer from snakes out there who does this stuff.

[alfaunits]

I got W7 retail from MS. Installed it, didn't activate - 3 days later it tells me I may be a victim of software counterfeiting
Yes.... MS sold me a free copy of hacked Windows 7! HOW DARE THEY!

[HiJon89]

Microsoft customers don't know about this, will probably never know about this, or even care... it will be just another auto update! When you own a legit copy, you just never worry about such things and Windows takes care of itself.

And if Microsoft snuck a keylogger into an update most people would never know but that doesn't make it alright... I want to have control over what software goes onto my computer so I would never use auto update, simple as that.

The ONLY people who care, are the ones that should care (ie: thieves). Understand?

No, I don't understand. Everyone should care and no one should install this.

Secondly, take advice from me, just don't work on other people computer who don't have the common courtesy to use a legit copy of Windows. That way reinstalling, or updating won't be such a hassle.

MS is there to HELP you... but if you've lived your whole life in fear(ie: theive)... then I would be as paranoid as you too.

Please stop talking down me, not that it is any of your business but my computer science department gives free Windows licenses and all of my family members have Dell's with legit Windows licenses, so no one in family is a "thief" as you so graciously put it And as I said before, I have had many Windows updates break an install and cause it to not boot or not function properly. This is a hassle, not because I am a "thief" but because I have to go around looking for updated drivers before reinstalling, and it's also a hassle simply because it should never happen.

[HelixPC]

How did MS not think of this before launch? lol

[zalbard]

How did MS not think of this before launch? lol

They do similar things regularly, maybe every 6 months or so, or perhaps once a year.

[Aerwidh]

lol.

That's only if you don't know how to use google. When I click on the explorer button it opens up mycomputer and on the left I have set my favourites, like Games, Downloads, Music etc. Those libraries are nowhere in sight. If you tweak it a bit the Explorer in W7 is really awesome. Also the new wordpad is really good. The only thing that may turn you off is the button ribbon, but that can also be minimized leaving you with a really good minimal word editor. I don't know I really seem to like this version of Windows, I think it's the first time ever that I liked an OS from the start.

The only thing that really pisses me of though is the control panel, they did manage to something up. I never seem to find anything in it in under a second and when I do manage to somewhat learn the positions, I install something that automatically puts another icon there and it's like they are all shuffled again at random and it's back to square one for me.

Couldn't find anything back when I looked, but it was quite a while ago. I'll have to give it another shot some day. No libraries would be a wonderful feeling

[nn_step]

Why would a "professional" use a cracked version of Windows..? (45 minute phone call to Microsoft for validation keys? lulz)

I never said what version of windows. I suggested legal copies only and yes the wait after a validation bug will exceed an hour.

[Darth_Penguin]

I never said what version of windows. I suggested legal copies only and yes the wait after a validation bug will exceed an hour.

I had validation issues twice under XP. Both times I called, I dont think I spent more than 10 minutes on each call before having the issue resolved.

[firas]

sounds like the KB940510 optional update they released for Vista that didn't disable the computer and simply alerted the user that his system is affected. the new “cracks” were out before people noticed the update!

[=SOC= Admiral]

I dont think they cared as much when it came to Vista because it was such a flop. But Win7 works well and they do care about that one. But Vista I think they were happy people were even using it.

[Sam_oslo]

I'm running w7 RC1, and just got a email about:

"It’s time to upgrade from the Windows 7 Release Candidate". And it says: "Starting on March 1, 2010 your PC will begin shutting down every two hours"

I've got to get a w7 soon too.

[FischOderAal]

It may only take a phone call to fix it, but you fail to take into account the amount of lost revenue that such time would cost. I've meet professionals that have lost thousands of dollars because the 45 mins that it took to correct a mistake made by microsoft.

Then they should write Microsoft a bill. I'm sure Microsoft will find a way of "compensation". But yes, that surely is a problem and can be very expensive for companies.

[Xoulz]

And if Microsoft snuck a keylogger into an update most people would never know but that doesn't make it alright... I want to have control over what software goes onto my computer so I would never use auto update, simple as that.


No, I don't understand. Everyone should care and no one should install this.


Please stop talking down me, not that it is any of your business but my computer science department gives free Windows licenses and all of my family members have Dell's with legit Windows licenses, so no one in family is a "thief" as you so graciously put it And as I said before, I have had many Windows updates break an install and cause it to not boot or not function properly. This is a hassle, not because I am a "thief" but because I have to go around looking for updated drivers before reinstalling, and it's also a hassle simply because it should never happen.

Lulz...


So what updates over the years have you NOT manually installed? lol.. as if Microsoft is going to sneak something unwanted into their updates. Why would they do that? (A: they wouldn't)


Or is it simply that you are programmed to be paranoid, because for years you used a hacked OS and go to sleep wondering if tomorrow your OS is going to work? (ie: Paranoid?). Even when you Say you use a legit copy.. then why are you so particularly upset with this update, it doesn't effect you in any way, shape or form.... unless you're running a pozer copy!

Secondly, I have 3 computers all running in top shape (for multi-boxing) and NEVER once have I had a update break any of my computers, ever! I have had it re-install certain drivers I'd rather have, but have windows update be a hassle..? What r u talking about?

Perhaps you don't know how to install updates & should just let windows do them automatically?

[Speederlander]

Secondly, I have 3 computers all running in top shape (for multi-boxing) and NEVER once have I had a update break any of my computers, ever! I have had it re-install certain drivers I'd rather have, but have windows update be a hassle..? What r u talking about?

I would have to agree with that. I've never had windows update doing anything untoward to my computers. I have them all auto-updating with no issues. This includes XP, Vista and Win 7 computers. Never had any issues with updates. With so many users you are bound to get a few who have problems and they will be held up as examples of MS's evil intentions, but I'll bet 99.9999% never even think twice about auto-updates.

[B-Shot]

BTW the update dont work that well.

[HiJon89]

as if Microsoft is going to sneak something unwanted into their updates. Why would they do that? (A: they wouldn't)

(B: They just did) The description for this update is completely misleading, ie, they hid a piracy check under the guise of a security patch.

Or is it simply that you are programmed to be paranoid, because for years you used a hacked OS and go to sleep wondering if tomorrow your OS is going to work? (ie: Paranoid?). Even when you Say you use a legit copy.. then why are you so particularly upset with this update, it doesn't effect you in any way, shape or form.... unless you're running a pozer copy!

As you say, this update does not affect me in any way, so why on earth would I want additional software that does nothing for me running in the background all the time?

[alfaunits]

I'm not paranoid (I couldn't care if MS installs logging software on my computer, as long as it doesn't slow my calculations ), but Hijon's right legally. There is no security benefit to disabling OS WGA hacks.
Unless you know of a specific licensing hack that also opens some backdoor or something like that?? WELL, DO YA? PUNK? J/k, there prolly is - MS should state it.