I'm Pirating the Next Version of Windows • Hacker News Board

Re: I'm Pirating the Next Version of Windows

#11

Post by jemka » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 7:05 PM UTC

joebadmo wrote: post #4

While I'm entirely sympathetic to the author's DRM plight, buying the software and getting the pirate's cleaner experience are not mutually exclusive. If you want the best experience and a clean conscience (I'm assuming here you think piracy is wrong, since you've bought so many other copies of MS software), buy the software, then install a pirated a copy. I usually do this with new PCs that have Windows pre-installe…

I think that misses the point. The author wants MS to change and is attempting to get their attention via this post. Whether or not the author will actually pirate the software is moot.

Re: I'm Pirating the Next Version of Windows

#12

Post by sp332 » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 7:05 PM UTC

Why can't I just enter my product key and download an updated ISO with slipstreamed service packs?

This is especially odd, since you can do exactly that with a one-year TechNet subscription. https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/subscriptions/buy/hh4429... So it's not like they don't have the infrastructure ready.

Re: I'm Pirating the Next Version of Windows

#13

Post by eli » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 7:06 PM UTC

I wouldn't recommend you try this at your startup. Some day, a potential investor or partner is going to audit your licenses and it'll be pretty embarrassing if you're way out of compliance.

Re: I'm Pirating the Next Version of Windows

#14

Post by jcnnghm » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 7:06 PM UTC

powertower wrote: post #10

If you're activating MS products by entering "100-digit" activation keys into your telephone, you're already doing something wrong... Or are a complete edge/outliner case.

Says the guy that doesn't have any family members that persistently fubar their systems, necessitating enough reinstalls to trip the activation limit.

Re: I'm Pirating the Next Version of Windows

#15

Post by davidcollantes » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 7:08 PM UTC

jiggy2011 wrote: post #3

I don't use pirated versions of Windows so I don't know the answer to this but I would assume it's a bad idea because: Your trusting a .ISO image from a random website, how do you know there is not time bombed malware pre-installed? Do you still have access to Windows update? If so for how long, I assume it can't be difficult for Microsoft to figure out who is using it illegitimately since some versions must be using…

[...]

"You're trusting..."

[...]

I agree with that line, correction added. :-)

Re: I'm Pirating the Next Version of Windows

#16

Post by csomar » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 7:12 PM UTC

Huh, seriously? I purchased a laptop with a genuine Windows 7 version because of this particular issue. I'll spend weeks to find a relatively good Windows copy.

The average seeded copy of Windows on the pirate bay or the likes is crappy. Cracks sometimes doesn't work. Sometimes the copy comes with a load of crappy software. Sometimes the cracker changes the Windows theme (not sure why he is doing so). And sometimes everything goes smooth until some day I get a problem because my version is not genuine.

I don't install my OS on a daily basis. My average Windows OS install keep up with me for 3-5 years. I wouldn't be bothered to spend some time activating the software. So far, the activations for my MS products was easy, fast and simple.

Re: I'm Pirating the Next Version of Windows

#17

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 7:13 PM UTC

jiggy2011 wrote: post #5

joebadmo wrote: post #4

While I'm entirely sympathetic to the author's DRM plight, buying the software and getting the pirate's cleaner experience are not mutually exclusive. If you want the best experience and a clean conscience (I'm assuming here you think piracy is wrong, since you've bought so many other copies of MS software), buy the software, then install a pirated a copy. I usually do this with new PCs that have Windows pre-installe…

Would this still be legal though? You are still using an unlicensed copy regardless of whether or not you happen to additionally own another copy. For all they know you might install your licensed copy on another computer later and not remove your unlicensed one.

[deleted]

Re: I'm Pirating the Next Version of Windows

#18

Post by powertower » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 7:13 PM UTC

jcnnghm wrote: post #14

powertower wrote: post #10

If you're activating MS products by entering "100-digit" activation keys into your telephone, you're already doing something wrong... Or are a complete edge/outliner case.

Says the guy that doesn't have any family members that persistently fubar their systems, necessitating enough reinstalls to trip the activation limit.

If your family members are destroying the OS, the best solution is to either run in a VM which is set to not persist changes (via VMWare or the free options), or to boot from a VHD file for your other members (keep a clean and activated copy that you can revert to).

There are many options to solve this issue (ex: the native VHD boot, VirtualPC, HyperV).

Telling Microsoft to remove activation is a knee-jerk reaction that helps no one.

You can even run Linux as the Host OS.

I write and sell software, and activation is absolutely critical and responsible for at least half my revenue.

Re: I'm Pirating the Next Version of Windows

#19

Post by mbreese » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 7:13 PM UTC

jiggy2011 wrote: post #5

joebadmo wrote: post #4

While I'm entirely sympathetic to the author's DRM plight, buying the software and getting the pirate's cleaner experience are not mutually exclusive. If you want the best experience and a clean conscience (I'm assuming here you think piracy is wrong, since you've bought so many other copies of MS software), buy the software, then install a pirated a copy. I usually do this with new PCs that have Windows pre-installe…

Would this still be legal though? You are still using an unlicensed copy regardless of whether or not you happen to additionally own another copy. For all they know you might install your licensed copy on another computer later and not remove your unlicensed one.

I think what they are saying is that while it may not be legal, it is at least ethical -- so long as you've paid for as many copies as you are using.

Re: I'm Pirating the Next Version of Windows

#20

Post by w1ntermute » Wed, Jan 18, 2012, 7:15 PM UTC

jiggy2011 wrote: post #3

I don't use pirated versions of Windows so I don't know the answer to this but I would assume it's a bad idea because: Your trusting a .ISO image from a random website, how do you know there is not time bombed malware pre-installed? Do you still have access to Windows update? If so for how long, I assume it can't be difficult for Microsoft to figure out who is using it illegitimately since some versions must be using…

> Your trusting a .ISO image from a random website, how do you know there is not time bombed malware pre-installed?

You don't have to use torrents. You can get a direct download of vanilla Windows 7 ISO's hosted by Microsoft: http://www.mydigitallife.info/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-fro...

> Do you still have access to Windows update? If so for how long, I assume it can't be difficult for Microsoft to figure out who is using it illegitimately since some versions must be using either the same keys or keys that have never been issued to a copy of Windows that they have sold?

Nope, there's a workaround built into Windows because the OEMs strongarmed MS into adding it. You can get a piece of software called the Windows Loader that will activate Windows using this workaround with just one click and a reboot: http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/24901-Windows-Loade...