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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."
60%, huh? Did you know that 90% of statistics are made up?
I don't know a single person with a pirated copy of XP or 2000,which is pretty much everyone I know that has a computer (shocking, huh?), who's afraid to use Windows Update.
We have secretly replaced these Slashdot mods' sense of humor with a rusty nail. Let's see if they notice!!
As already pointed out, SPs don't require any old update in contrast to "Rollup Packs".
...they're simply trying to find a balance between:
a) Making hardcore pirates that simply won't pay for anything no matter what switch to something else.
b) Making casual pirates annoyed enough over small updates and such they can get, that they'll buy a licence.
Don't kid yourself. Microsoft could easily keep a database over all valid, registered keys and deny upgrades to everyone else, upgrades that suddenly come from thousands of people and all over the world and so forth.
In this, as in many other cases they've found it preferable to let some slip through. The opposite would que the Star Wars quotes: "The harder you tighten your grip, the more systems will slip through your fingers."
Don't think that MS is doing this out of the goodness of their hearts, or because they really care how much havoc unpatched machines make. They're doing this because it makes business sense.
Kjella
Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
(yeah I must be new here :p )
:-P
Yeah, Im guessin by yer Account #
But Windows already is the crotch of the Internet.
*ducks*
Karma: It's all a bunch of tree-huggin' hippy crap!