Windows 7 update aimed at pirates, lands next week

here we go xp sp2 again. why do they even bother to talk about things they dont do ? there's better ways to get pr.

"If you don't install the patch, you will still be permitted to download other Windows updates."

Not sure what this means. So if you're a pirate, you can just skip this patch and then continue to download updates?

Just goes to show how this doesn't work as well as they would like yet it sticks it to those of use that are legit users.

There has been one like this before, theres one on Vista as well.

Just don't install it.... lol.

If they put it in SP1 and make SP1 compulsory (for certain apps/games), there will either be a hack for it or I'll go Ubuntu (now DX9/DX10 compatible).

so its aimed at dumb pirates?

Is Joe Williams mentally retarded? Someone at Microsoft needs to go find that man's baseball.

Presumably these pirates be sailing on the Ship of Fools then.....now where that crazy cap'n Ballmer go ?

Who the hell would manually download this? Obviously people running hacked copies wouldn't, and anyone running a real copy wouldn't take the time to download more crapware...

Try this Ubuntu download http://wubi-installer.org/ which installs without having to partition your hard drive or use another computer and can be uninstalled at any time just like any other program. It gives you the opportunity to boot into either OS at startup or will go to windows default after 60 seconds.
Once you review this totally free OS including optional free software, you have to ask yourself why windows is still in existence. It certainly wouldn't be if this would have been available before MS got their foot planted squarely in the doorway and I think the difference will come about if and when Google comes out with a Linux based system. Having a famous name behind this system will make all the difference in the world.

Hey Joe! Say it isn't so. What are they smoking over at Microsoft these days.

Except most windows 7 pirates(my brother) got a copy thats a reusable OEM from a laptop. If windows disables that then thousands of HP laptops get deactivated. So double fail for MS.

The point of this update isn't to swat the normal user pirate that Dl's there copy off the net. It's targeted (and all of the past one's have all been targeted towards) PC-repair, and Customer build places that put a Pirated copy of windows on a PC and charge the user full price. So as a real example: you grab this update, If you took you're system in to be fixed and decided to just have it updated when they told you it needed to be reformatted and you want to check if its legit. "Yes I know every body here including my self is likely A+ certified and can fix there own system, BUT there are tons of people out there who do this."

Really as far as I can tell MS doesn't care that much if a couple million people pirate there OS they just don't like people selling pirated copies as real. Most people who are going to take the time and energy to pirate windows them selfs are them same group that would rather just jump ship then pay for a new copy, And it's better for MS if they stick to Windows more user's = More reason for High paying Developers to stay with there OS.

This actually sound resonable. Lots of the activations hacks they cant prevent without causing problems for a lot of OEM machines. But hunting people selling computers with a pirated software, there is where they actually loose a lot of money.

so if this is their aim, I say good on you Microsoft.

I pirate myself from time to time, but selling and making money of pirated software is something I really hate. It's something only scum do in my opinion.

Most people pirate because they cant afford to buy a legitimate copy of something, so its really not a real loss for the manufactutrer. But if people sell pirated software for almost full price, there is an actuall real loss of profit.The unknowing customer gets screwed and also the manufacturer, in this case Microsoft.

If i cant afford something, i cant buy it. Then if get it for free...what have they really lost? I would never had bought it anyway, because i cant.

Ohhhhh buddy, I like the words in your post. They make me happy and tingly inside.

And sorry for making that weird, but Linux fans could understand, maybe.

Guilty. However, I don't charge for that itself for morality reasons. (Of course some would see problems in this and call me a hypocrite) I only charge for the time it took me to install. Good thing I've only done this to a few computers.

It's Like Deja Vu al over again

Whoa..., that sounds like something from the vice presidential debates. You couldn't be Sarah Palin... or could you?

In fairness to you, I don't actually think Ms Palin is that articulate. I'm pretty sure she used "ain't".

I wonder if "programmer's block" is on the list of approved usage for medical marajuana.

I think that something less than "full disclosure" would have been more prudent and acceptable in this post.

My redacted version, for your approval.

I don't get this announcement at all, don't say anything and just cripple the non-paying PCs until their 'dispute' is resolved?
Must be to avoid some ridiculous lawsuit when it cripples misdiagnosed versions, somewhere?