KAZEY JOURNAL

From now on, customers looking to get the latest add-ons to Windows will have to verify that their copy of the operating system is legit.

Beginning Tuesday, the piracy check will be mandatory for all customers worldwide who want to download add-ons for Windows XP.

The only exception is for security-related patches. Regardless of whether a system passes the test, security updates will be available to all Windows users via either manual download or automatic update. The Microsoft Update and Windows Update utilities, which provide notifications of new patches, will require validation.

It’s all part of Windows Genuine Advantage, a stepped-up effort by Microsoft to increase the number of Windows users that are actually paying Microsoft for its software. Currently, the company estimates that roughly a third of Windows copies worldwide are not legitimate.

“We really want to cut that rate,” said David Lazar, director of the Windows Genuine program.

With Windows’ share of the desktop market estimated to be well above 90 percent, cracking down on illegal copies of the OS is seen as one of the few ways for Microsoft to grow its Windows business. The two other main ways that Microsoft has identified are increasing the number of PCs per household and expanding computer usage in emerging markets.

Lazar declined to say how much Microsoft hopes to cut into the piracy rate with the Windows Genuine push. However, he said the company does see a need to create a clearer distinction between genuinely purchased and bogus copies of the OS.

“One of ways we are going to do that is by enhancing the value of genuine Windows,” he said.

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Should I just stick to windows still and just download the security patches only?
Or should I switch to Linux. Still contemplating though.

It seems i would be switching to Linux sooner, if they get stricter.. Heheheh, yes i am a pirated software user, I am a student for goodness sake, how the hec do you want me to afford, 500 RM ++ for just an OS software. I would say this is a very stupid step, and yes Linux is winning the battle eventually. Well thank Goodness, i am comfortable with some linux distros. Hehehe. Linux supporters, I would be ready to join the club, anytime soon.

Crackers can you do something about the software? I mean really I would love to continue using windows OS with the ability to download and Update Addons, honestly. And I cannot buy the idea of paying such an amount of money for an OS software, with their kind of price tag. So i hope you guys come helpful. Microsot, i dont know what to say to you guys