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MS To Limit Security Fixes to Legal Copies of Windows

Posted by timothy on from the how-could-this-possibly-be-surprising? dept.

rufey writes "An Associated Press artcile on MSNBC is reporting that Microsoft is going to start restricting access to security updates from pirated copies of its Windows operating systems. Starting in mid 2005, if you have a pirated copy of Windows, the only way to obtain security updates will be through the automatic updates mechanism. And even that method may be restricted at a future date. The article is light on details about what versions of Windows this will affect. Parts of the system to check for a valid copy of Windows is already used when downloading software (such as Media Player) from Microsoft - except that validation is currently optional." EnderWigginsXenocide points out Reuters' version of the story.

7 of 912 comments (clear)

  1. For those who have RTFA issues... by Deekin_Scalesinger · · Score: 5, Informative

    The main gist is that people who have their Windows Update set to automatically download the latest critical patches (through the Windows Security Center - insert oxymoron comment here) will not be affected at this time. If you manually go to Windows Update you will need to provide some sort of credentials (allow software to snoop on yer box or provide your key) to access content. I myself bought a copy of XP recently from Newegg for this exact purpose. I like Linux a lot and if I didn't game, I'd use it exclusively. Since I do game, Windows is a necessity, and I don't want to have a haxxored box because MS tightened down on allowing pirates (which I freely admit I was one) to patch their systems. Newegg has copies of XP pro for about $150.00 with the purchase of any hardware, which is a far cry from their $300.00 MSRP.

    --
    "As the intrepid kobold companion continues his journey, he begins to wonder... if priests raises dead, why anybody die?
    1. Re:For those who have RTFA issues... by delus10n0 · · Score: 4, Informative

      Why don't you backup/restore Windows XP's activation keys?

      --
      Not All Who Wander Are Lost
    2. Re:For those who have RTFA issues... by delus10n0 · · Score: 4, Informative

      Microsoft has even stated in the past that they _do_ keep a listing of all generated/distributed keys, as well as what part of the world they were shipped to, etc..

      --
      Not All Who Wander Are Lost
    3. Re:For those who have RTFA issues... by SacredNaCl · · Score: 4, Informative

      Actually, if you have registered your copy with them and put in factual information (or remember the information you used anyway!), you can call microsoft up on the phone and give them the info and they will read you your key. I've had to do this in the past, and there was no charge for this.

      Now if you didn't register your copy, or can't remember the information you used for that purpose, SOL.

      --
      Freedom is merely privilege extended unless enjoyed by one and all.
    4. Re:For those who have RTFA issues... by DaddyDonMynack · · Score: 3, Informative

      Your key isn't lost. It's still on the machine. Just use keyfinder to get it. (Cut and paste. I'm too lazy to make this a link) http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml

    5. Re:For those who have RTFA issues... by jht · · Score: 5, Informative

      Let me give full props to the "get the Action Pack" idea. I'm a legit user of it (I run a small consulting/training company), but even if you freelance there's no real reason you can't use it.

      Here's the requirements for subscribing to the Action Pack, and what you get for your money:

      Requirement - register as Microsoft Partner. Basic membership is free, and qualifies you for both the Action Pack and for discounts on add-on services (like MSDN).

      In the box you get:

      XP (all versions including Media Edition) - 10 licenses
      2003 Server, 2003 Server Web Edition, 2003 Server SBE - 1 each
      Office Pro - 10 licenses
      Virtual PC (Windows) - 10 licenses
      Exchange Server - 1 license
      Plus you get Visio, Project, System Builder Edition discs and licenses, service packs on CD plus slipstreamed install discs, selling materials, and all sorts of other server/client software.

      The cost of the Action Pack is $299 per year - but I just got offered a renewal for $199 (which I immediately took). It was a no-brainer. They send you quarterly updates and occasional goodies as well.

      The link to the Partner Program is https://partner.microsoft.com/partner - from there you can register and order it if you wanted to. For all the (usually justified) bashing Microsoft gets here, they do make it very easy and inexpensive for IT people to get into their product line. And that's part of the reason they still dominate the universe.

      --
      -- Josh Turiel
      "2. Do not eat iPod Shuffle."
  2. Re:Which is the pirated copy?? Activation? by NotQuiteReal · · Score: 3, Informative
    Windows XP makes you "activate" it.

    So, your second copy shouldn't activate since that key is already assigned to the fingerprint of the first machine.

    Here is some info I found, a while ago...

    10 hardware characteristics (12 points) are used to determine the Windows XP hardware activation hash:
    points item
    1 Display Adapter
    1 SCSI Adapter
    1 IDE Adapter
    3 Network Adapter MAC Address
    1 RAM Amount Range (i.e. 0-64mb, 64-128mb, etc)
    1 Processor Type
    1 Processor Serial Number
    1 Hard Drive Device
    1 Hard Drive Volume Serial Number
    1 CD-ROM / CD-RW / DVD-ROM.
    For activation to remain valid 7 points must remain the same.

    --
    This issue is a bit more complicated than you think.