Microsoft: SP2 Will Not Install on Pirated Copies of XP

Matt Lincoln Russell (Lincoln) Contrary to the remarks it made to the ComputerTimes, Microsoft now claims that it will not permit users who have obtained Windows XP illegally to upgrade to its latest service release.

May 11, 2004 8:46 AM ET in News,

Contrary to the remarks it made to the ComputerTimes, Microsoft now claims that it will not permit users who have obtained Windows XP illegally to upgrade to its latest service release. Instead, the software giant will continue to enforce compliance with its licensing.

In a nutshell, Microsoft group product manager Barry Goffe told ComputerTimes that Windows XP Service Pack 2 would not exclude pirated copies from upgrading, and that it was more important to keep user safe than to be “concerned about the revenue issue.”

Submitted by: hooj

Source: betanews.com

11 Comments:

  1. EyesOnly
    11 May '04, 2:23 pm

    Just a question. How would they know if a copy is pirated?

  2. primesuspect
    11 May '04, 2:38 pm

    Generally, pirated copies use a set of known leaked activation keys.

  3. celcho
    11 May '04, 3:29 pm

    i imagine this will be solved before the service pack is officially released.

  4. Jimborae
    11 May '04, 3:48 pm
    Quoting primesuspect

    Generally, pirated copies use a set of known leaked activation keys.

    But what all those keygens that are out there, how will they stop people who have used them? Also I thought SP1 had blocked users of certain known keys that had been leaked or are you talking about the mass pirating operations that you find in China, Russia, Thailand etc.

  5. Jengo
    11 May '04, 4:56 pm

    I have a Completely "legit" copy, i swear!

  6. KingFish
    11 May '04, 5:02 pm

    I thought I smelled something fishy when I posted the original story a few days ago. I guess it turned out to be a lie.

    KingFish

  7. EyesOnly
    11 May '04, 6:18 pm
    Quoting primesuspect

    Generally, pirated copies use a set of known leaked activation keys.

    You're prolly right.

  8. mmonnin
    11 May '04, 10:55 pm

    Same thing will prolly happen like it did with SP1. Sure some keys wont work but there will be new lists that will.

    I might actually have to use the stupid school CD now.

  9. Gobbles
    12 May '04, 3:36 am

    I think that they should allow service packs to installed on any xp machine. I know it sucks but they need to suck it up and help the world...

    Gobbles

  10. Enverex
    12 May '04, 7:34 pm

    I think you will find those Keygens are not keygens at all, they just cycle through a known set of keys.

  11. Dexter
    12 May '04, 8:00 pm
    Quoting Gobbles

    I think that they should allow service packs to installed on any xp machine. I know it sucks but they need to suck it up and help the world...

    No they don't. They have absolutely no obligation to provide a product enhancement to someone who has stolen their product. If you have a pirated copy of XP, and are concerned about security issues or other issues that the SP addresses, then all I can say is "Boo Hoo." If you need the fixes, you are either going to have to buy the software, or wait and hope you can get another pirated copy.

    Imagine if you stole a car from a dealer's lot, then changed the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN.) Then 6 months later there is a safety recall on that car. Are you going to take in to the dealer and demand your free mehchanical overhaul to address the recall issue, knowing that they will run the VIN and not get a match? And knowing that they can probably query the car's computer for it's ID number and match it up from the factory info to be the car you stole? Do the dealer and the manufacturer need to "suck it up and help the world?" and fix your stolen car and not have you arrested for auto theft?

    No, they don't, and neither does Microsoft.

    Dexter...

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