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Black Screens For Unauthorized Copies of Windows

Posted by timothy on from the black-is-the-new-black dept.

arcticstoat writes "In a bid to deter people from using pirate versions of Windows XP, Microsoft is now updating its Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) tool to introduce a few uncomfortable niggles for users of pirated versions of Windows. These include replacing the desktop wallpaper with a black screen every 60 minutes, although you can still replace it with your wallpaper of choice in the intervening period. As well as this, copies of Windows deemed to not be genuine will also have a translucent watermark above the system tray, which Microsoft calls a 'persistent desktop notification.'"

4 of 762 comments (clear)

  1. I set my background to black anyway... by ForestGrump · · Score: 0, Redundant

    I've long set my background to black. I'm glad to see that the rest of the pirating world is conforming to my standard.

    Grump

    --
    Is it true that more people vote for the winner of American Idol, than vote for the president? -Ali G.
  2. Re:Black? Niggles? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Fo' shiggle, mah niggle!

  3. Re:Notifications by Sj0 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Honestly, 99% of the time I end up grabbing custom repository lists anyway. Doesn't matter which CD I have as long as apt-get is current enough to update itself.

    --
    It's been a long time.
  4. Re:Help Vista or Linux? by DJ+Manning · · Score: 0, Redundant

    But don't forget to install the crack, like every good pirate should. http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/3610011/Linux_Genuine_Advantage_Crack