Microsoft: Pirated Windows 7 Will Still Get Updates
Microsoft earlier this week clarified that all versions of Windows, both legitimate and illegitimate, receive security updates – and that policy will carry over to Windows 7.
“There seems to be a myth that Microsoft limits security updates to genuine Windows users,” wrote Microsoft’s Paul Cooke, who works in Windows Client Enterprise Security. “Let me be clear: all security updates go to all users.”
“Not only do all security updates go to all users' systems, but non-genuine Windows systems are able to install service packs, update rollups, and important reliability and application compatibility updates,” Cooke continued in the blog entry. “In addition, the users of non-genuine Windows systems can also upgrade a lot of the other software on their computer. For example Internet Explorer 8 has numerous security- oriented features and improvements, and it is available to all users.”
That’s not to say that non-genuine copies of Windows are allowed to run completely free. Certain updates and software may be blocked at Microsoft’s discretion, such as value-adding updates and non-security-related software.
Bootlegged copies of Windows Vista can still access updates through the Windows Update control panel. A non-genuine Windows XP system can only access updates through Automatic Updates, but not through the update websites.
Microsoft said that it won’t be changing this policy for Windows 7, meaning that pirates will still be as protected as legit users. While this might seem a little strange for any software company to provide software support to pirates, keeping even illegal copies patched up is in the interest of the entire computing ecosystem.
While it may be mildly entertaining to laugh at illegal installations of Windows fall at the hands of a computer worm, an epidemic is still an epidemic – especially if it affects legitimate users who simply haven’t applied the current patches or security software.
Not true. They are doing this so that the user's experience with Windows is still enjoyable and secure. Each pirate may become a future customer so it is within their best interest to satisfy every customer. Microsoft would rather you pirate their software than use Linux or OSX and thats the bottom line.
So 2 wrongs make a right?
This is just for liability reasons, there are false positives when it comes to detecting legitimacy. If a legit user was not protected and they lost data or were unable to use their computer as a result of negligence (being denied a security update), Microsoft could be on the hook depending on who it happens to.
Not true. They are doing this so that the user's experience with Windows is still enjoyable and secure. Each pirate may become a future customer so it is within their best interest to satisfy every customer. Microsoft would rather you pirate their software than use Linux or OSX and thats the bottom line.
Microsoft as a whole is a really good company. My only real complaint is Vista, and it looks like they are going an extra mile to clean it up and repackage it as Windows 7. An easy way to remove the nagging "are you sure" pop-ups without significantly affecting my security would be very welcome and actually be the straw that tipped my purchase decision into their favor. I know how to turn off UAC, but UAC is not the only annoying pop-up. There are also the "Downloaded from internet" "The unknown publisher "Microsoft"", and a couple more I am not remember exactly at the moment.
Hell, if they just made a screen with a list of publishers where you could check off your trusted/not trusted status with, that would be a huge improvement.
You didn't understand my point. If MS downloaded their own malware, it would be annoying but would not delete data, attack other systems, etc. It would be annoying enough to encourage the user to buy a copy of the operating system, but would not make MS liable.
I understand why MS is patching pirated copies. Even if I hadn't, it was stated in the article.
What percentage of OS pirates, after enjoying a thing called "free," would later go and buy the software? The same argument applies as with game piracy. These people never will nor would have bought anything.
"Hey man, I just tried to install updates and it messed my computer up"
Me ~ "...was it a real copy of windows?"
"No..."
Me ~ "Then Windows genuine advantage has just messed your computer up.. sorry man, reinstall"
Yeeea, except after I confirm it was not legit I go to HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Winlogon\Notify in the registry and also search for files created within 2 days of the GA update being installed... then just identify and remove its files and registry entries like any other virus that invades the system tray.
(well, and then tell them to skip the GA update in the future, and that they actually do need to get legit!)
And computer games.. Guess what don't work so well online. You have to do a bunch of crap and only run on certain servers. So if you want to play online with everybody/anybody you need a legitmate copy.
Either way, the Big M is doing a better job of helping even non-genuine users than your God Big J.
Microsoft wholeheartedly would disagree with this statement. Remember they say that pirated software can contain virii, security holes, malware, etc. If you take a copy of pirated Windows XP Pro RTM and install it on a PC and connect to the internet, guess what can happen? Automatic reboots like crazy due to it containing the sauser worm or other malware.
I simply cannot afford a new OS.
If I have to stay legit, I'll simply go back to XP. The couple hundred dollars just isn't worth it me, sadly enough.
I have bought XP 2 times, Windows 2003, 2000, and 98. It gets expensive.
I almost decided to BUY a microsoft windows 7...
almost...
Just a little bit more and I think I will...
First... i thought they are so proud of their OS that they know that if people like it... people will buy it...
On a second thought... i think they can't do anything about it.
If am satisfied with 7... maybe i'll buy the Win7 with SP1