Users running illegal copies of Windows XP are being offered discounted purchase prices
Recently in the DailyTech labs we had a test bed machine that was giving us "this copy of Windows is not genuine" messages. Last week we tried to remedy the message by following Microsoft's recommended course of action, which was to verify the copy through its website and purchase a legitimate key. When we attempted to do so, Microsoft's website indicated that the upgrade service was not available to US customers (or any customers as far as we could tell).
On a whim we tried again this evening and it appears that Microsoft has updated its website and now allows US users of pirated or counterfeit versions of Windows XP to buy legitimate keys for $149 each -- a unique key is still required for each computer that runs Windows XP. The full version of Microsoft Windows XP Professional retails for $249.99, which means if you purchase the CD and key from Microsoft, there is a net savings of $100. The OEM version of Windows XP can be purchased online from online vendors, but this discounted version requires the purchase of hardware. Microsoft waives all shipping and handling charges, but sales tax is still added onto the purchase.
News source: DailyTech
Recently in the DailyTech labs we had a test bed machine that was giving us "this copy of Windows is not genuine" messages. Last week we tried to remedy the message by following Microsoft's recommended course of action, which was to verify the copy through its website and purchase a legitimate key. When we attempted to do so, Microsoft's website indicated that the upgrade service was not available to US customers (or any customers as far as we could tell).
On a whim we tried again this evening and it appears that Microsoft has updated its website and now allows US users of pirated or counterfeit versions of Windows XP to buy legitimate keys for $149 each -- a unique key is still required for each computer that runs Windows XP. The full version of Microsoft Windows XP Professional retails for $249.99, which means if you purchase the CD and key from Microsoft, there is a net savings of $100. The OEM version of Windows XP can be purchased online from online vendors, but this discounted version requires the purchase of hardware. Microsoft waives all shipping and handling charges, but sales tax is still added onto the purchase.
News source: DailyTech
"XP Pro? £100? Do be serious"
Next week
"Hello, I belive this pirate of XP is good for £25 off?"
"You are correct, sir. That'll be £75"
It'll encourage people to pirate more.
I paid £100 (OEM Version) for my Windows XP Pro SP2 disk, and I have yet to, and never will take part in ANY WGA scheme
I barely tollerate activation, but WGA is way over the line......
I think the whole WGA and WPA is a sign Microsoft may feel threatened by Linux. Also since every PC is connected to internet these days makes it possible though.
I think if people had a choice, they wouldn't buy an OS with Windows Product Activation. Escpecially not if the competitor had played on it with a campaign that sais "we respect your privacy and trusts out customers." But buing anything else than Windows leaves you out in the cold in many areas like games and hardware support and video chat etc. What a mess.
http://www.microsoft.com/australia/genuine/faq.aspx#32
"What are the details of the genuine Microsoft Windows offer?
To help customers who unknowingly purchased a counterfeit version of Windows XP operating system, Microsoft has created two genuine Windows offers for those who qualify.
* Complimentary offer: Microsoft will make a complimentary copy of Microsoft Windows XP available to customers that have been sold counterfeit Windows software. Customers will be required to submit a proof of purchase, their counterfeit CD, and complete a counterfeit report with details of their purchase. Only high-quality counterfeit Windows software will qualify for the complimentary offer.
* Electronic Key Offer: Microsoft will offer an alternative for customers who find out via the WGA validation process that they are not running genuine Windows software, but do not qualify for, or choose not to take the complimentary offer. These customers will be able to license a Windows Genuine Advantage Kit for Windows XP online for a price of AUD$158 (inclusive of GST) for Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition or AUD$238 (inclusive of GST) for Microsoft Windows XP Professional. The Windows Genuine Advantage Kit for Windows XP will include a new 25-character Product Key and a Windows Product Key Update tool which will enable customers to convert their counterfeit copy to genuine Windows XP software electronically. To qualify, customers will be required to submit an on-line counterfeit report."
I guess you could make the report up (I'm not sure what questions it asks), but lawfully, making up a report is no better than pirating it (even if you get a legitimate copy in return).
Last edited by Quick Reply on 15 May 2006 - 16:33
I'll see if I can find a link.
I paid £100 (OEM Version) for my Windows XP Pro SP2 disk, and I have yet to, and never will take part in ANY WGA scheme
I barely tollerate activation, but WGA is way over the line......
playing devils advocate, microsoft do have the right to protect their software... whats wrong is that theyve taken this long to do it. this is why its making people angry. theyve been using it without a problem and suddenly, upto 4 years after buying a computer, they are informed its illegal. the timing is a joke. the fact its £100 cheaper is also another insult to legit users. I would love to hear microsofts official reason for this move.
I personally believe they have realised that vista aint gonna be ready anytime soon and they can suddenly increase revenue by scaring people into buying licenses.
Also, your comment about never taking part in the WGA scheme? if all big microsoft downloads now require validation, how are you gonna opt out?? it would mean downloading from unsavoury sources for no real reason!
OH MY, I WONDER HOW!!11
A false negative most likely. It happens.
I paid £100 (OEM Version) for my Windows XP Pro SP2 disk, and I have yet to, and never will take part in ANY WGA scheme
I barely tollerate activation, but WGA is way over the line......
...
Also, your comment about never taking part in the WGA scheme? if all big microsoft downloads now require validation, how are you gonna opt out?? it would mean downloading from unsavoury sources for no real reason!
Who said *John* would have to download from unsavoury sources? It's not uncommon to see websites show lists of direct links to the official MS patches (the .exe files, not the web pages explaining them). The MS website does not 'authenticate' you to download a patch... it just authenticates you see the link to the patch.
Who said *John* would have to download from unsavoury sources? It's not uncommon to see websites show lists of direct links to the official MS patches (the .exe files, not the web pages explaining them). The MS website does not 'authenticate' you to download a patch... it just authenticates you see the link to the patch.[/quote]
Fair point.. although im sure microsoft will be sealing this little loophole pretty quickly... just seems kinda odd that if you own it, you wouldn't just download direct from microsoft via wga since all you do is click continue or validate.
just because you own it doesnt me you can actually validate or use WGA. Keep in mind that if you are an enthusiest and constantly change our your parts, motherboard especially, you will come to a point when M$ will no longer let you validate even over the phone and thus you will be demoted from Valued customer to Pirate who cant validate.
that right there is crap if you ask me. There really needs to be a way to deactivate a serial so that if you do change out hardware it is no longer tied to your old hardware and you can then once again activate.
learnplay with the latest versions of the software while saving my pennies for other expenses.I see this discount as being targeted at the people who pirate due to their economic situation, but may not be aware of the other avenues they might be able to recieve discounted licenses (OEM, student discount, etc.)
P.S. A couple of years after college I realized it was silly to keep fighting to keep my pirated copies of software functional. I was making plenty of money and realized I the developers of the truely useful software I used on a daily basis deserved my support. :-)
Now I own a copy of XP Home but I like to switch hardware and reinstall every few months and that activation stuff is annoying, so yeah, I've though about a pirated version just for that purpose.
but my main reason(s) i dont like legit copys of windows xp is 2 BIG reasons.... first of all is PRICE and second is ACTIVATION.... i dont think ANY version of windows should ever cost more than 100 dollars MAX for the high end version (windows xp pro) ... but more like around the 50-75 (probably closer to 75 dollars) dollar area is more reasonable.... but ill tell you, if i bought a windows copy for 100 dollars it damn sure better not mess with me activation wise!
so for me i dont see any reason ill let go of my "best price possible xp copy" ..lol ... ill let you guys figure out what that means
Don't assume it works for everybody just because it worked for you.
ever since validation first appeared I had been meaning to replace that copy with a legal version but didn't want to re-format.
So I followed the links from the "failed validation" pages and purchased a product key for £92 (GB) which was sent by email.
I was then directed to download and run this program
Microsoft Key Update Tool
What it did was convert my VLM pro version to regular Pro without the need to re-format
The update tool scans the system folder and checks for any system files that have been tampered with, so it would be a good idea to replace any cracked dlls with the original versions before you attempt to run it.
It is unclear if you can only use this mehod of conversion using a product key purchased in this way, as I did wonder if the tool could be used with legal OEM or retail keys.
in other words, Mikey doesn't have a legit copy of Windows and he don't wanna admit it
I've changed my components on many different computer many times, besides that I build them every single day of my life and I never had to call Microsoft up for any of these. This is a fact, I don't know where you got that stuff from buddy.
I think there's enough of us that have experienced otherwise to say that either you've been VERY lucky or you're lying. I personally don't want to try and count the number of times I've had to call MS up on behalf of a customer to get them re-validated after a hardware change.
cause remember that also... it aint like microsoft is poor and cant afford to do something like this either
It IS NOT illegal. (If you do it that way)
It IS NOT illegal. (If you do it that way)
their is a difference between an academic version and OEM. the only thing being academic is sold to students a huge discount and is the same as a normal retail version most of the time, while the oem version requires the purchase of a piece of hardware to get it. what the previous poster is just saying is the retailer shouldn't have sold the copy of windows xp without requiring the purchase of a piece of hardware as well.
I actually brought Xp Pro OEM for 99 without hardware, however it was not an educational discount. It was from college (special promotion thing, not educational version) though.
I did pay full price for my xp Pro but for pirites they offering discount.
this is BS!!! man
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