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Microsoft Allows Pirates to Install XP SP2
mkraft writes "On the tail of the previously asked question on whether Microsoft should support pirated copies of XP, comes the answer.
According to Computer Times, Microsoft will allow SP2 to be installed on any copy of Windows XP including copies with invalid license keys.
Microsoft decided "that even if someone has pirated copy of Windows, it is more important to keep him safe than it is to be concerned about the revenue issue."
There is no news of whether or not pirated copies will be allowed access to the Windows Update site afterwards or just allowed to install SP2."
sixty percent of software priates STILL won't install it, because they're white-knuckling their tinfoil hats screaming IT'S A TRAP! so loud that Admiral Ackbar thinks he hears an echo.
REM Old programmers don't die. They just GOSUB without RETURN.
I can't wait to see how people here try to twist this into something malevolent on MS' part. This is gonna be some mighty cool logical contortionism...
What MS didn't say was that the pirated SP2 will remove the TCP/IP stack. This will help the poor unprotected pirates.
If they really wanted to keep u ssafe, they wouldn't let us install windows AT ALL. ;)
...I would imagine any of the decision makers are probably using pirated copies themselves.
Who do you think the B4llm3r who created the torrent at SuprNova is?
Better get me one of those scurvin' patches for me eye.
But what about me land-lubbin' mateys? Guess the scallywagin' Microsoft haven't thought about them.
Arrrr, who cares about them anyway? Pass the grog, ye son of a biscuit eater!
I think I speak for my fellow pirates when I say thanks. My open seas piracy just wouldn't be the same without the ease of use and stability of Windows XP. It works incredibly well with the booty we steal from passing ships.
I thank you, and my parrot Petey thanks you.
Greenbeard, son of Yellowbeard III
My god, with 250mb i could create an entire operating environment...
Something is wrong with that, being as the SP is mostly bug fixes.. ( not all, but mostly )
Will not be practical for dialup users, and they will have to pay for the ( by then late ) updates..
And give Microsoft their home address for future 'license verification sweeps'... how convenient...
---- Booth was a patriot ----
Actually, SP1 doesn't check the validity of the license. It simply denies those who have a CD key starting with "FCKGW".
I cant be the only one who got a major kick out of that every time i saw it, can I?
Er, how is anything you wrote advocating for Microsoft? :)
Someone I know *ahem* downloaded an XP Pro ISO from KaZaA (took nearly 2 weeks on modem) then used WinISO to slipstream it with the Service Pack 1 full installer
This individual was going to try and google a key but then went into his local bank (Barclays) to arrange a loan for a car, and noticed that the Dell PC sitting on the adviser's desk had the usual Dell label on it, with serial numbers for Windows XP and 2000 on it....
And there was a pile of complimentary notepads and a pen on the desk. And the adviser was off getting some forms.
Priceless...
I have been a user for about 10 years. This ends Feb 2014. The site's been ruined. I'm off. Dice, FU
You forgot to add "BSD is dying" at the end.
Hey what the fuck? I have a legitimate key that starts with "FCKGW"! Now I'll have to change it to a key that starts with "FCKMS".
Karma: It's all a bunch of tree-huggin' hippy crap!
Less and less do I even bother reading the comments of stories anymore...I'm about ready to just skip them entirely.
So says the troll who seems to average about 7 Slashdot posts a day!