also @ TechSpot: Lenovo sees huge increase in PC sales as rest of industry declines

› ›

Windows Genuine Advantage tool enhanced

By Derek Sooman

On April 25, 2006, 4:04 PM

The Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) test tool has been enhanced by Microsoft in order that it can detect PCs that are not using a properly licensed version of Windows. Alerts will then be sent to millions of users of pirate software in countries all over the world.

The alerts read: 'This copy of Windows is not genuine; you may be a victim of software counterfeiting' and include a link to a web site explaining what people with pirated versions of Windows need to do.
Seemingly, the only way to stop the alerts from appearing on a regular basis is to replace the pirated version with a genuine copy.

No tags on this story

3 comments

User Comments: 3

Got something to say? Post a comment
  1. April 25, 2006 11:57 PM
    truflip said:
    does this tool report to microsoft which users are using pirated copies and then M$ will sue those using illegal copies?
    Reply
  2. April 26, 2006 10:20 AM
    DragonMaster said:
    I think it's just a nag screen and they say you've been a victim of counterfeiting. Then, they probably give a link to buy it that asks where you got it and so on.It probably can be disabled easily tho.
    Reply
  3. April 26, 2006 11:09 PM
    truflip said:
    itd be nicer if they give like a 'home' license in which a family with 4 computers can share the same CD key rather than asking the avg joe to cough up $400 for the computers...
    Reply

Recently commented stories

Post a new comment

Social Login & Guest Posting TechSpot Members
Login here or sign up for free,
it takes about a minute.
Get complete access to the TechSpot community. Join thousands of technology enthusiasts that contribute and share knowledge in our forum. Get a private inbox, upload your own photo gallery and more.
TechSpot on:

Most Popular

Trending Featured
More Trending Topics

Featured on Keyboards

Downloads and Drivers

Downloads   Drivers  

Actual Bookmarks 1.2

KiTTY 0.62.2.3

Funny Photo Maker 2.4.1

PaperScan Free 1.8.8

Audials Tunebite 10.2.22604.400

More Downloads

Latest Discussion

What is the best graphics card my computer can handle? 6 replies on Audio and Video

Network documentation 8 replies on Storage and Networking

The average life of a GPU 17 replies on Audio and Video

Need advice on router-buy 7 replies on Storage and Networking

Graphics Card Question 9 replies on Audio and Video

More Recent Discussion

Subscribe to TechSpot

Get free exclusive content, learn about new features and breaking tech news.