Windows 10 updates can disable pirated games and unauthorized hardware


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Microsoft’s new Services Terms that went in effect on the 1st of August state the technology giant can prevent you from playing counterfeit games or use unauthorized hardware. The terms are valid for everyone using Microsoft services such as Office 365, Outlook.com, Xbox Live, Skype, OneDrive, Bing and MSN. Also software using a Microsoft account is covered by the terms meaning the terms also affect most Windows 10 users. Although Microsoft’s latest OS can be used without a Microsoft account the majority of users will nevertheless use it with an account from the Redmond company.

The terms now explicitly state Microsoft can release updates that could have some serious consequences. In the terms the company states it might, “download software updates or configuration changes, including those that prevent you from accessing the Services, playing counterfeit games, or using unauthorized hardware peripheral devices.”

It’s unclear what the company means with unauthorized hardware peripheral devices, it could be that the company will disable e.g. Xbox controllers that are not certified by Microsoft. Counterfeit games is more clear, this is pirated software.

Users not on Windows 10 could potentially also become a victim of these new terms, also updates to Skype, Windows Live Mail, Maps, OneDrive app, OneNote app, Windows Movie Maker, Windows Photo Gallery and Windows Games published by Microsoft are covered by the terms.

With the release of Windows 10 there has also been a lot of buzz regarding the privacy settings of the operating system. The express settings, which are used by default when installing the operating system, contain some settings that by some users are considered as privacy concerns, such as the use of Cortana, automatic updates, the use of a Microsoft account and the gathering of telemetry and privacy by Microsoft.

Source:

http://www.apexa.co/2015/08/windows-10-updates-can-disable-pirated.html

 

This is going to be interesting, if true.

I wonder how it would goes with the hardware side of things, disable via driver? Flash firmware? If that the care then someone will figure out how to write a virus around it.

I wonder how it would goes with the hardware side of things, disable via driver? Flash firmware? If that the care then someone will figure out how to write a virus around it.

Hello,

It might also apply to devices which strip DRM such as HDCP from DVDs, Blu-ray discs, video streams and so forth.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

I don't know, what do they mean by "unauthorized hardware peripheral devices", but if I understand clearly about pirated games, they sure mean to use "Windows Defender" to block pirated games and software's ;)

  On 10/08/2015 at 05:15, Xahid said:

I don't know, what do they mean by "unauthorized hardware peripheral devices", but if I understand clearly about pirated games, they sure mean to use "Windows Defender" to block pirated games and software's ;)

or say you mod your xb1? they have the abilty to disable it is what it think they are getting at

Until its from a more reliable source - this sounds like more anti-microsoft BS -

I remember when Vista came out there was talk about the Paradigm network, or Paragon network (something like that) and if you weren't running Vista, or had unauthorized software/hardware - then you couldnt get on the internet or something stupid like that.  And some anti-microsoft apple fanboy was telling me, in my boss's office, that we needed to switch because Microsoft could remove any software on our computer that they didnt approve of.

Thankfully, my boss asked me before making decisions - I told him to never let that person on the premises again because he was obviously an unstable idiot.

 

  • Like 4
  On 10/08/2015 at 05:48, T3X4S said:

It would be real easy for the author to actually show the verbiage in the reported ToS - but since they didn't - Im calling BS

 

11YH5.thumb.gif.52390b45dc57750ae7d7f1cd

Not to mention if you visit the site apexa.co

The article tags are "awww BUZZ LOL WTF""

 

But sure, in the sense that xbox live could check if n Launcher doesn't meet hash, it is probably pirated.

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