Is your Windows for realz?
 

I've been wondering, who among us has an authentic, store-bought (or computer-shipped) copy of Windows installed on their PC, and who has a pirated version of some sort?

Today I went to install Internet Explorer 7 beta. Apparently I have to validate Windows to install it. I saged that and downloaded a pirated IE7 to install on my pirated Windows XP Pro.

But at the same time I feel: most computer ship with Windows XP, even if it is Home edition. I had to pirate XP Pro for two reasons: to install IIS (webserver, so I can edit/test webpages locally) and to join Domains. (Actually, does Windows XP Pro have any useful features besides this?) In a way I feel I don't really owe MS that much because I already own their software, but in a crippled form.

I also like how even if you do have a valid copy of XP, after about 3 activations online, you can activate your installation of the OS anymore. At that point you have to call MS and explain your situation. This is retarded, since I must format C:\ five to ten times a year for various reasons. (After a while, the process of installing/uninstalling software causes things to break and I just feel much better doing a clean install.)

Anyway. Discuss.

Mine is ~ technically. It came from the MSDN Academic Alliance which I gained access to at Uni because my team project required some pretty specific MS software. (Well, I had Home, and I'd have taken any excuse to ditch it for a legit Pro, especially for free!)

I believe that I can only use it while I'm still a student, but to be honest, I'll keep on using it afterwards too!

Mine came with my notebook - so yes, it's legal.

Besides my two legit copies of home and pro --I guess I'm pirating windows too.
Like you Eleo, I reformat and reinstall the OS at least twice a year; per computer! And frankly I can't be bothered to fork over hundreds upon hundreds of dollars for another copy that'll only last me one or two years :(.

Sure I feel bad that I have to do it this way, but I'm one of those people that thinks its stupid to put a limit on the activation.

::everyone cracks::

That, or everyone moves onto the Firefox based Windows updates. (Speaking of which, what is the link to that.)

Actually, I have a legal version of Windows XP Pro (got for $5 because of Microsoft Campus Agreement,) but I haven't installed it on my computer because I don't care enough, and my pirated disc is just so much more awesome than the regular XP disc.

Not to mention, I plan on buying a new computer eventually, anyway, so why use my license on the computer I currently have, when I'm not going to be using it for a longer time. Although I think I can pick up a new copy of Windows XP in the Spring 2007 semester. Maybe by then I can get Vista for $5!

This computer came with a legit copy of XP Home, but I've yet to touch the disc. I'm on a pirated XP Pro ~

I have 2 copys of XP Pro, one is legit and the other is pirated. I also received my legitamate copy Windows XP from the college I go to, something like $15. I'm running of the legit copy right now, because I figure hey, it isn't inconveniant the first time to play by the rules. When I buy my new computer, I'll probably end up running my pirated version though.

All of my operating systems have been graciously granted to me for "free" through my school's MSDNAA program. I even have free access to their top of the line software development tools, as well as all of their server OSs.
And because I am a dual major of EE and ME, I have double the available licenses at my disposal.

My PCs all run Linux, so it's a non-issue for me. My brother's PC is running a pirated version of XP, and my Mac is running a legit version of OSX 10.4.

As a Linux user, it really pisses me off that more OEMs aren't shipping OS-less PCs, and that MSFT is now getting on the case of overseas or small-time providers for doing just that. They claim that "selling blank PCs is aiding pirates" because EVERYONE who buys a PC with no OS is going to pirate windows.

Because Linux doesn't exist. Or something.

This is why I'll always build-ideological soapbox ranting aside, I'm not paying extra cash for software I'm never going to use. If they sold a packaged standalone license of XP with OEM boxes, then fine, I could resell it. But no, can't do that either.

For the times I need Windows on my laptop for software that isn't available on Lin/Mac, I use a copy of XP that I get through Illinois Tech's MSDN partnership.

I use a CD-R copy of WinXP Pro with a illegal key. I don't really see the point in paying if I'm forced to upgrade every serveral years (due to new programs only running on the newest OS). Hell, you can't even play some newer games on Windows 2000, even though it's only one year older than Windows XP. I chose not to install that WGA BS Merv mentioned. Funny how doing a manual install allows this.

Pirated xp corp (pro), and had to put the pirated to laptop too because the legit wasn't accepted by windowsupdate.

There is a rumour going around that in the past, I ran a less than legitimate version of XP Pro corporate edition {as in the one that doesn't require registration}. Of course this is unsubstantiated. Currently, I run a fully legal and paid for version of XP Pro corporate edition. And I still don't care for this genuine advantage bs.

I heard similar rumors about my 2003 Server install...

Every computer in my house that runs Windows has a legal license, surprisingly enough. The Dell that my Siblings have came with XP. The P3 Dell we let my mother use I moved the XP License from my laptop (which I run Linux on) over to. When I built my Dad's computer he insisted on a legal license, and on my Desktop's XP Partition I use the $5 license I got through MSDN.

LOL, in my entire PC owning period I've never seen an original copy of windows, guess my dvd drive will never taste the original rotten work of bill 'the asshole' gates and his lazy good for nothing crew :D

When I ran Windows, it was always a pirated version. With pirated Office, pirated PowerDVD, pirated this, pirated that. Everything we had was pirated, and we gave copies to friends and family to pirate. Heck, the store we bought our first and second computers from (a mom-and-pop joint) sold it with pirated Windows. It came to a point that I was sick and tired of searching for serialz and crackz and warez for every little applicationt, that I just dumped Windows for Linux. And I have no regrets.

I've got a rather mixed situation going on. I've purchased a copy of Windows XP Home and I have the lamenated pamphlet with serial number to prove it. However, I didn't take very good care of the CD and after awhile it started to crack and warp to the point where my PC couldn't read the thing properly so I through it out. Of course, Windows is too fucking expensive for me to buy a brand new copy, and I was bound to need to do a reformat eventually. So a few days ago I downloaded a copy of XP Pro, reformatted and installed it onto my C partition, and then realized I had a Backup file from awhile ago. I'm guessing my Windows is not the most stable thing right now (two security updates fail to install and it's having trouble identifying some hardware) but since it isn't mission critical at this point I hardly see the point in worrying about it. :)

Uh, for all of you that have a pirated version of XP Pro...

Do you even use the "extra" features it has over Home? I have a legal version of Home, and I can't see any need to have a "Pro" next to my OS name.

I'm running a legit version of Windows XP that I got through my school. I've tried to buy a legit version of Office for a few years now, but every time I go to the computer store they're out of stock. :(

Does anyone know if educational copies of Windows have a different pool of registration numbers from other versions of Windows? Like, I know our CD is different from the general one since it shows our school's logo during some steps of installation and the default wallpaper is the one that's on most of our computer lab machines (which is plastered with school stuff all over it).

How many people do you know that would buy a Dell instead of building their own custom computer and prefer to have a Linux install on it over Windows?

I know I do

Home eliminates some of the tools that allow you to have better administration over your computer. Home only has "Simple File Sharing" (which is terrible,) while Pro has the ability to turn it off and use the Sharing and Security dialoge that Windows 2000 uses. I like the Windows 2000 sharing method, since it is a lot more customizable in sharing than Simple File Sharing.

Windows XP Pro also allows you to use the entire MMC, which gives you tons of extra administrating features that I use. One example of what I have used before is the ability to create users other than Users (or is it Power Users,) and Administrators.

It doesn't matter though pirated or not, because even my legit copy is XP Pro. Even if I was forced to buy XP, I would probably bite the extra $100 and get Pro. Home just terribly cripples my ability to administer a computer the way I want to.

I'm running a pirated copy of Server 2003 Enterprise SP1 (non-R2). I could get a legal copy quite easily due to the fact that my school has an MSDN subscription. At the time I got my current copy of Server, I had misplaced my XP Pro CD (which is completely legitimate) but still needed to install some Windows version on the machine.

I've used all of these features, but I don't need them at home, so I run Home (legit).

I don't see the sense in having a microsoft domain based network, nor do I run a dual processor box. I don't need to set up a bunch of extra stuff in the MMC just for myself. I have other ways of sharing than XP's options. Having non-administrator users tragically doesn't allow some things to run, so I don't have any configured. IIS is shit, so I wouldn't want to run it.

Doesen't Home also lack the ability to properly configure user accounts? Can't think of anything more idotic in modern computing.

By "properly configure," what do you mean?

If by "terrible" you mean "Actually works". Other than the obvious "I can't access anything in Program Files or Windows", I've NEVER once had an issue with XP Home File Sharing. Share a Directory, people can access it, done. XP Pro, I STILL can't get public access to any of my directories - I can give full permissions to whatever group you want - Anonymous, "Everyone", etc. - and it still needs my username and password to access the share. And it's not an isolated issue - at LAN parties my Linux boxes running Samba and the XP Home people are more often than not the only ones who successfully get shares up.

I also find that Simple File Sharing works in most cases. I manage our tiny home network and domain controller, and have to share many of my music files with the family. When I fuck around with advanced file sharing, it's not that it doesn't work but it gets very complicated and it's easy for things to get inconsistent as far as permissions go.

Simple File Sharing is perfect if you pretty much want to share your stuff under the pretense of "anyone on the domain can access the directory; only I can modify it and its contents".

Of course without Windows XP Pro you can't join a domain (actually I think you can but it's a haxful operation) which is another reason I steal XP Pro.

That's the worst part of it, actually.

In order to do it, you have to use the Simple File Sharing to share the directory first, then you can tweak the security settings with the "regular" dialoge.

As opposed to 2000, where you just, create necessary users, set permissions and go.

It's terribly designed, but what do you expect from Microsoft.

Ask deus@zelan, if he re-registered. He runs Slackware on a Dimension.

Just sayin'.

Actually I don't know what to expect from anyone. Having used Linux I've had far more problems dealing with permissions because I find them to be far more complex. Eventually I give up and 7777 everything. I definitely prefer sharing files in Windows over Linux.

But this is another conversation.

I guess that's what I had in mind. This kind of thing just belongs into a modern operating system. Leaving it out just fares under "dumbed down" in my book as opposed to "streamlined for home use".

Only 2/5 of the computers in the house have a legit installation of windows. One has Home and the other has Media Center Edition. The other 3 I just installed a pirated copy of xp pro on. I might just end up using the pirate version on all the machines though since I don't have the installation discs for home or media center(why the hell do they keep the windows install on a seperate partition, damn pre-fab machines).

I used to have a legal version, but then after several reformats, it said my key was no longer valid. Pissed me off to no end, so I had to pirate.

My college sells them to us for $20 bucks, realz, of course.

As for the activation, yea that's dumb... but there's a way around it. I think it's legal too.

google "windows activation backup".

If I had a legit CD-Key, I'd just use it on my corporate edition, no Activiation BS needed. Hopefully Vista will have a Corporate edition, that way I can screw with; it until I get pissed off by how slow it runs and then uninstall it... Only to use it again a year later like I did with Windows XP.

Yes, which basically means that NTFS partitions can't be assigned like they can in Server or XP. Granted, most home users would never need that. Most, anyway.

With having to do so many re-formats on the computers in the house having a pirated copy of XP is just easier.
Besides i can't afford to buy a legitimate copy.

I have Windows XP Media Center Edition 2006, which came with my new computer. Frankly though, I would have never bought it (or any other version) myself, because I think they charge way too much for that stuff. In fact, I plan on pirating Microsoft Office once my 60-day free trial is over.

I have 4 legitimate versions of XP Pro, one that came with my laptop and 3 that I got from a computer science education convention bundled with the first final release versions of VS.NET. I use one for my desktop, one for my fiancee's, and I've saved one, not really for any good reason, just in case, I guess.

i have a legit version of Win98 SE, Win2000, WINXP Home, and pirated versions of XP pro and XP Pro x64. I cant get my automatic updates to work on this x86 version to dload SP2 though. my x64 edition passes all validation checks and such, so i didnt have any trouble with it, it was just incompatible with a lot of software that i run. Anyone know if theres a way to direct dload SP2 and not have it do the validation check?

I used to ahve one but that was long ago. Several reformats made the key useless. Too bad for them.

The sharing permissions can be customized in Home, too. You just need the command line and a bit more of patience.

I'm using Win XP x64, and it's not legit. As an 18 year old student in full time education I have better things to spend £100 on than windows (like beer :D)

Why don't you just have it slipstreamed?

Yep, slipstreaming is one of the few truly rewarding things I discovered about Windows the past few years.

@ Merv Burger
I think you are looking for WindizUpdate. Worked like a charm for me so far, I was even able to get rid of Internet Explorer using nLite.

Ja means yes right?
My is home edition which is gotten when I bought my PC. As for professional, I've access to my school MSDNAA but I didn't get it.

Yay, another nLite user! I run XP Corporate and Server 2003 illegally on each of my computers. Both are nLited to hell and back, of course. Each install disc comes to about 130Mb after nLiting and before adding my own software. nLite is truly the best thing ever to happen to Windows.

Wow... Just checked out nLite and holy crap I wish I had know about this a month ago when I reinstalled :( Will definitely be picking this up next time I want to reinstall.

I bought XP Pro when I bought my current PC. Pirated copies of it are too much hassle. Also, the Pro features I find to be useful.

I got legit copies of XP Pro with my 2 laptops. One of them was such that I could only use it for that one laptop. The other one was the regular XP Pro disc (sorta) and I used it on my desktops for a time. Since then, I have also a pirated copy of Windows XP Pro with Service Pack 2. That's been used for second XP installs on the desktops now.

When the next version of the OS comes out, I am seriously considering going legitimate. I'm pretty much sick and tired of the runarounds I've had to take to bypass the blocks on Microsoft Downloads and Windows Update caused by Windows GenuineAdvantage.

Microsoft:1, Zergrinch:0

My plans for Vista are simple, if I can't crack it, I'll just use my sister's university connection to get a legitimate copy. She won't want to run it on her MacBookPro anyways.

On my desktop? No. Built from scratch, and I'm not gonna bother paying for Windows XP. Ever.

My laptop's copy was legit until about eight months ago - The first time I decided it was time for a reinstall. Yay for isos with SP2 slipstreamed in.

I'm currently using a burned version of Windows XP Professional Corporate, so I guess I don't have to bother with this activation shit. Some months ago, I actually took purchasing a legitimate version of Windows XP into consideration, but with the upcoming Windows Vista this just would have been wasted money. If Windows Vista has any advantages over Windows XP, I'll probably download it as well someday, as long as I don't have to activate anything.

yes I have a oem win xp pro

Mod Powerz!

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/7747/sealpup3si.jpg

I have a legite copy of xp pro oem, bought it a couple of months ago with my new computer. Before that it was a burned version of xp pro.

The version of XP on my notebook is probably one of the few times I've actually had a legal version of XP on any of my computers.

You mean people actually pay for their Operating Systems?

Yes, and every time you buy a PC from HP, Dell and company you still pay for the OS, which is why some pissed Linux users have asked Microsoft to pay them back for an OS they don't use.

Did they seriously do that? If so, I've lost even more respect for Linux users. :(

Seriously, but if you were charged over $100 for software you don't use, wouldn't you be mad too.

I find this ridiculous. It is not like they aren't disclosing that Windows is part of the package. If I go to Sony, I can't say, "Look, I bought this radio and I don't use the AM dial, so I'd like you to remove the AM functionality from this radio and refund me the price of what AM functionality costs." That's retarded.

And, besides, what the fuck kind of Linux user buys a Dell? These people are just being asses, plain and simple.

You can get systems from Dell Business and Education sites that don't come pre-installed with an OS, so I'm not really feeling any sympathy.

Not to mention that MS gives Dell and other large manufacturers discounts for the massive quantities of licenses they purchase (and additional discounts for making every computer come with Windows), making the price of a Windows license surely less than half of those you'd find in an OEM box. If they wouldn't put Windows preinstalled on all of their systems, the price of all other home boxes they'd sell would go up considerably. Personally, I doubt Dell minds pissing off the whole ten people in the country that want to buy a pre-built Dell and install Windows on it in order to save all their other clients money.

I mean, seriously, how many people do you know that use linux and don't build their own systems?

No one really, what self-respecting Linux user would buy a Dell in the first place? Only those 0.00001% of Linux users who have a hard on for Dell, HP, Sony, etc are going to complain about this. I'm sure though with $200 Dells now, you can be Damn sure the ~$90 (OEM WinXP Home Price), didn't fully factor into that $200; in fact I'm sure Intel charged Dell more for their shitty integrated video :milk:

(fuck it's strange how the dancing milk fits in with every song I listen to).

You should worry (about the milk).

On a side note: This refund thing goes back to the late 90s, when even fewer retailers were offering OS-less boxes. Today one does not have to go to such great lengths in order to obtain such a machine and there are even vendors who sell computers with a pre-installed Linux.

I voted no because this box isn't running a legit copy; however, I have two legit copies sitting my my drawer. One is a 64bit SP1 and the other is a regular old XP Professional. I only paid 10 bux for shipping. Thanks University. :skeet:

I installed my legit five years after had purchased it. I didnt realize I have xp home edition all long in my system cd!:doh:

i got a question for all u pirating peepz (btw this copy of XP Pro is legit, and my previous Home edition as well)

i like pirating.. (who doesnt?) getting shit for free is good. but I mean, the OS is the only thing I DONT pirate... cause it's your freakin' OS. u cant afford for it to crap out on you.

well say Windows do their updates, what do people who've pirated Windows OS do? I mean I probably would pirate myself, but the whole genuin-copy thing means u need a legit one or u cant update the OS... right? thats the only issue I got w/ pirating an operating system.

Thanks for exhuming this year-old thread. :/

I don't know what you're talking about when you say Windows will "crap out" on you if it's pirated. Some torrents out there are reliable. I have access to the Corporate Pro version of XP so I just copied the disc and used a fake key.

For updates: www.autopatcher.com

okay, but dont even start whining. why make a new thread to ask a short question? it's better using search function than just making a new thread when one exists already.

so that's how EVERY person who pirates their windows get their updates then?

Not everyone.

All my patches are official, my copy of Windows is cracked, but I have not had any trouble with updates. The only one that I haven't installed is the Windows Genuine Advantage one. I just skipped that one, and grabbed the rest and nothing has "crapped out" on me since I got this OS some 2-3 years ago.

I got me a $45 copy of Vista Ultimate through a friend at the Microsoft company store, so I have a legal copy of Windows.

I have the media center that came with my computer (both compaq and emachine) and a free copy of vista from MS (with upgrade coupon). So yes they are real.

Ever heard of WindizUpdate? It's not only a good way to bypass WGA, it also lets you update your OS using non IE browsers.

I got it with my pc as I bought it so yeah i got a legal version.
Problem is that I don't know if I misplaced the disc or I never got it because I don't have the key anywhere when i wanted to do a fresh install.
I have the home edition on a separate disc but I'd rather stick with Media Center. I don't suppose the key gets saved into the pc :/

My copy came with the notebook, although I have another copy that's only....semi-legit.

Oh, this thread!

I actually formatted my computer tonight (first time in three years). Decided to put that legit copy of XP to use.

YOU HEAR THAT, BILL? YOU CAN CALL OFF THE DOGS NOW.

As of right now I'm running Windows XP Pro under an illegal VLK CD-Key. I do in fact have a legal Windows XP key, but it's for the Academic version and switching to that key makes Windows activation act up (that and it also can't be used during the installation of the Corporate version of Windows XP), so I'm sticking with the VLK key for now (though it does work with Windows Genuine Advantage, so no need to change).

And as for Windows Vista, well I used the timerlock crack to make the trial period extend itself indefinitely, so that copy is most definitely illegal.

All I can say is I have never paid for a piece of computer software (that isn't a game), so this is all to be expected.

I used to pirate stuff all the time, but I'm working on making my software environment more legal—developers gotta eat too, you know. I'm starting with stuff that's cheap. I'll work my way up to Final Cut Studio and Creative Suite Design Premium. Now that I have money to spend, I ought to spend it. :)

MY computer has a legal copy of Win XP Home, but my OTHER computers all have cracked versions of Win XP Home. I found you can crack Win XP Home and it stays cracked as long as you don't install Service Pack 2.
I tried the VLK thing for Pro, but MS locked it down so well now, that it's impossible to find a key that's still considered unleaked and valid.

Well...

TECHNICALLY i do have a legal copy of windows. TECHNICALLY, it's one of those spiffy student versions so you can validate the serial like an infinite number of times.

And although I am a student, I didn't get it the way it was meant to be gotten. So in that aspect it is illegal. BUT! On the other hand this version was meant to be used by many many many MANY people. Or so i tell myself.

My Windows XP version is 100% original since it was pre-installed on my notebook. I don't think it's extremely smart to use a pirated operating system if you don't know how to make sure that they can't figure it out.

I have to use legit on mine. (WinXPSP2 Pro) Anything that isn't: Legit and higher than SP2, my motherboard throws a fit, for some odd reason.

For some odd reason, however, it liked my Vista Ultimate.

I also have a legit Windows Vista Business Edition, but only because I got it for free when Microsoft was holding power together campaign online. Did anyone else participate? Just curious... You could also get Microsoft Office 2007 for free, but I was 10 minutes too late... :(