MS To Limit Security Fixes to Legal Copies of Windows

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.

Comments

For those who have RTFA issues...

[Deekin_Scalesinger]

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.

Re:For those who have RTFA issues...

[jht]

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.