Microsoft is using TPM chips to crack down on pirated Windows activations

[bigreddyde]

Editing the registry is not "hacking", the registry editor is a legitimate, built-in OS tool, and using it is not "pirating". Windows is already free, why breaking an open door?

So, what exactly would you consider "hacking?"
Do I need a Guy Fawkes mask?
Or, if I make sure to use a dark basement, can I get away with just a hoodie?

 

[Trollhammeren]

Grey market is often offering keys bought with stolen cc. It is actually better to use pirate software than buying them from thieves. And no, buying an oem code is not changing a thing.

But, it is ms product and they can do whatever they want with it. Pirating is not a solution, switching to Linux is.

While I condone piracy it's absolutely abhorrent to to condone someone making money off it, be it software or game piracy or even cheats for an offline game. Especially if it involves someone's stolen CC

 

[pnntmp]

So, what exactly would you consider "hacking?"
Do I need a Guy Fawkes mask?
Or, if I make sure to use a dark basement, can I get away with just a hoodie?

I don't have my own definition of "hacking", just stick to the commonly accepted one, which is finding and eventually exploiting vulnerabilities. Using a built-in OS tool to modify settings is not "hacking" according to any definition.

 

[bigreddyde]

I don't have my own definition of "hacking", just stick to the commonly accepted one, which is finding and eventually exploiting vulnerabilities. Using a built-in OS tool to modify settings is not "hacking" according to any definition.

So... You've never heard anyone refer to a "registry hack?"
The registry editor may be a "built-in tool" but the registry is not intended to be modified by your average person.

 

[pnntmp]

So... You've never heard anyone refer to a "registry hack?"
The registry editor may be a "built-in tool" but the registry is not intended to be modified by your average person.

Of course I've heard of it. That doesn't mean it makes sense.
The "average person" may shoot themselves in the foot by making changes through the GUI as well. In fact, well above 90% of computer issues come from the "average person" doing exactly that.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Of course I've heard of it. That doesn't mean it makes sense.
The "average person" may shoot themselves in the foot by making changes through the GUI as well. In fact, well above 90% of computer issues come from the "average person" doing exactly that.

Hacking generally means using technical knowledge to access, manipulate, modify, or interact with computer systems, networks, software, or data in ways that aren't necessarily intended by the system's owner.

The key point is that “hacking” doesn't inherently mean illegal activity.

I'd say that modifying the registry in ways unintended by MS qualifies as hacking. And either way, you're just arguing semantics... it's WAY easier to simply bypass Windows activation with the tool found on MS-owned GitHub.

 

[pnntmp]

Hacking generally means using technical knowledge to access, manipulate, modify, or interact with computer systems, networks, software, or data in ways that aren't necessarily intended by the system's owner.

The key point is that “hacking” doesn't inherently mean illegal activity.

I'd say that modifying the registry in ways unintended by MS qualifies as hacking. And either way, you're just arguing semantics... it's WAY easier to simply bypass Windows activation with the tool found on MS-owned GitHub.

Bypassing Windows activation means you're executing code you do not understand.
It could be safe to do that, I'm not saying it's not. My point is, you do not need to bypass the Windows activation mechanism. You can use Windows for free without bypassing anything.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Bypassing Windows activation means you're executing code you do not understand.
It could be safe to do that, I'm not saying it's not. My point is, you do not need to bypass the Windows activation mechanism. You can use Windows for free without bypassing anything.

Yes - but you don’t get all of the features - and no annoying activation reminder…

 

[jdrch]

Does this mean Massgraves scripts might be dead soon?

 

[pnntmp]

Yes - but you don’t get all of the features - and no annoying activation reminder…

What part of "all of the features" you don't get?

 

[Squid Surprise]

What part of "all of the features" you don't get?

• Locked Backgrounds: You cannot change your desktop wallpaper, themes, or colors through the standard Settings menu. (Note: You can still bypass this for wallpapers by right-clicking an image file and setting it manually).

• Dark/Light Mode: The toggle to switch between system dark and light modes is greyed out or restricted.

• Accent Colors: You cannot customize taskbar colors, window borders, or general system accent hues.

• Lock Screen Settings: Customization options for the lock screen and dynamic backgrounds are limited

• Watermark: A permanent "Activate Windows. Go to Settings to activate Windows" text overlay appears in the bottom right corner of your screen.

• Nag Screens: You will receive regular notification prompts in the Settings app and occasional pop-up reminders asking you to buy a product key

Again… when it is SO easy to activate for free and get none of these annoyances…

 

[bigreddyde]

Hacking generally means using technical knowledge to access, manipulate, modify, or interact with computer systems, networks, software, or data in ways that aren't necessarily intended by the system's owner.

The key point is that “hacking” doesn't inherently mean illegal activity.

I'd say that modifying the registry in ways unintended by MS qualifies as hacking. And either way, you're just arguing semantics... it's WAY easier to simply bypass Windows activation with the tool found on MS-owned GitHub.

^^^ This, exactly!!!

 

[bigreddyde]

Of course I've heard of it. That doesn't mean it makes sense.
The "average person" may shoot themselves in the foot by making changes through the GUI as well. In fact, well above 90% of computer issues come from the "average person" doing exactly that.

No, most computer issues come from people clicking crap on the web that they should run away from as fast as possible.

 

[pnntmp]

• Locked Backgrounds: You cannot change your desktop wallpaper, themes, or colors through the standard Settings menu. (Note: You can still bypass this for wallpapers by right-clicking an image file and setting it manually).

• Dark/Light Mode: The toggle to switch between system dark and light modes is greyed out or restricted.

• Accent Colors: You cannot customize taskbar colors, window borders, or general system accent hues.

• Lock Screen Settings: Customization options for the lock screen and dynamic backgrounds are limited

• Watermark: A permanent "Activate Windows. Go to Settings to activate Windows" text overlay appears in the bottom right corner of your screen.

• Nag Screens: You will receive regular notification prompts in the Settings app and occasional pop-up reminders asking you to buy a product key

Again… when it is SO easy to activate for free and get none of these annoyances…

You have all these settings in non-activated Windows and can change them. What you don't have is merely the GUI controls for that, which is no big deal as they are of the set-and-forget type. Even on OEM Windows copies I use a .reg file to apply all customizations at once without digging through the GUI.

It may be easy to activate for free, but it's illegal (I prefer to resort to that only when really needed) and potentially unsafe. Why taking completely unnecessary risks for zero reward?

 

[Mark Fuller]

Could be a ruse to hack people's infromation and spy on them.

 

[Squid Surprise]

You have all these settings in non-activated Windows and can change them. What you don't have is merely the GUI controls for that, which is no big deal as they are of the set-and-forget type. Even on OEM Windows copies I use a .reg file to apply all customizations at once without digging through the GUI.

Far too complex to do for the average user… activation bypass is one click.

It may be easy to activate for free, but it's illegal (I prefer to resort to that only when really needed) and potentially unsafe. Why taking completely unnecessary risks for zero reward?

It’s technically illegal but not enforced - it’s hosted on an MS-owned site! And it’s open-source and 100% safe…