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Microsoft Replaces Your Pirated Windows, For Free
th3d0ct0r writes "ZDNet reports that Microsoft is now willing to replace your pirated version of Windows XP. As part of the recently started "Windows Genuine advantage" program, Alex Hilton explains that this incentive aims to bring out customers who bought PC's with Windows XP preinstalled from vendors that pirated the Microsoft OS. Not only do they offer amnesty to anyone coming forth with a pirated version, but also to ship an original version of their product with a valid license to replace the pirated one, each customer being able to get up to 5 such replacements. Hilton says: "Our goal is not to prosecute the individual, our goal is to get to the source".
Wow, what an incredibly insightful post knee-jerk bashing Windows and providing the most banal insight into the world of Linux possible. Thanks for contributing absolutely nothing to this discussion, asshead.
What are you, like 12?
Say I have a pre-installed pirate copy of windows. I go to Microsoft and take advantage of their offer. I now have a legitimate copy of XP, and as I'm installing I actually (gawd forbid) read the EULA and decide I don't agree...
1. Can I get a refund from Microsoft since they shut down the dealer who was selling pirate copies?
2. What information will Microsoft keep about me if I try to take advantage of this offer?
Trying to use sarcasm in text-based forums does not work.
Gee, thanks for providing such a banal, knee-jerk Windows-bashing, uninsightful crapfest of a post.
"I like Linux! Tee-hee-hee! Micro$oft blows!"
Win2k Pro is stable, and with SP4, relatively secure.
As is XP.
Wrong. Win2k Pro can run for weeks. XP crashes once per day (sometimes twice).
Win2k Pro DOES NOT have integrated DRM, and no "activation".
How are these even an issue, unless you are a pirate?
That comment really makes my blood boil. It's an issue because not only do Microsoft make shit operating systems, they make operating systems that become progressively more shit over time, until they are so shit you need to dig out the install CD and re-install the OS from scratch. And then what? Spend an hour of my precious time on the phone to 'register' a product I have ALREADY PAID FOR?
Do you want to pay me for my time in 'registering' my product? What's that? You want to waste $50 of MY time to solve YOUR piracy problem?
Win2k Pro uses less system resources
If XP uses more resources, then it's only marginally so.
Translation: I have no idea if XP uses more resources but I'll say it doesn't anyway.
My experience: On the same hardware, XP uses approx 30-50% more memory and runs about 20-50% slower than any of it's predecessors.
It's the exact opposite. XP's feature set is a superset of W2K Pro's.
No, there used to be a perfectly usable find dialog, and now there is something that is "helpful" in the Microsoft sense. I had to turn off the Mickey Mouse interface just so I didn't spend all day clicking answers to "helpful questions" on the way to the control panel, or the printer.
Fast user switching.
I don't know what you mean by that.
Really, it's pretty sad if you think W2K is better than XP in any way, shape, or form. Maybe you were just trolling. Otherwise feel free to continue to use W2K in blissful ignorance.
Well, I would really like to. Unfortunately I am unable to purchase W2k Pro in retail, OEM or otherwise. Can you enlighten me where I can obtain a legal copy for home use?