Windows Genuine Advantage could lock pirated copies of Windows

**Makaveli_786** · June 28th, 2006, 01:07 PM

It's been known that the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) phones home for quite some time now. For most of us, we've come to live with Microsoft's decision to relegate the software to only contacting the company's servers once every few weeks . Of course, the software is only in beta right now, so what might happen once it goes into production? Will it phone home even less? Ed Bott has an idea.

Bott has reason to believe that Microsoft might have a special treat in store for those that do not want any part of the WGA. Citing Dave Farber as his source, Bott thinks that the WGA could become mandatory for Windows users. Those that don't want to install the software must suffer the consequences—install it in 30 days or Windows will stop working, period.

Right now, this whole idea is nothing more than a rumor, kind of. To make a long story short, Farber was speaking with a Microsoft representative when he mentioned that he did not want to install the WGA because of its spyware capabilities. The representative told Farber, "In the fall, having the latest WGA will become mandatory and if it's not installed, Windows will give a 30 day warning and when the 30 days is up and WGA isn't installed, Windows will stop working, so you might as well install WGA now." Even with a completely patched system that is entirely legal, a system lacking the WGA software could be disabled. When Bott asked Microsoft to comment, a company rep said:

As we have mentioned previously, as the WGA Notifications program expands in the future, customers may be required to participate. Microsoft is gathering feedback in select markets to learn how it can best meet its customers' needs and will keep customers informed of any changes to the program.

Microsoft has not released any other comments on this issue, but it's very possible that it could make the rumor a reality. Ultimately, WGA is not something that is beneficial to end users. On the other hand, the tool gives Microsoft an easy way into every Windows system. A pop-up message now could turn into a locked OS come September. At that point, those that pirate Windows are left with no choice but to go legit. They obviously can't complain to Microsoft since what they are doing is illegal. Users who unknowingly using a pirated copy of Windows may be angry, but they will end up paying for a real copy of the operating system in the end. It looks like a win-win situation for Microsoft, or does it?

If the company ends up going through with the "kill switch", it's going to raise a ton of controversy. Up until now, the company has still given those wishing to run pirated systems all the security updates because unpatched systems can harm other legal, completely patched PCs. But another solution to protecting "real" Windows users is to simply shut down counterfeit copies of Windows. The problem is if Microsoft accidentally turns off legal copies of the OS. Customers will be without an OS for an extended period of time, and they will probably be incredibly angry about it. They won't have access to their files, and they certainly won't understand why. Should the company run that risk? What side of the fence do you sit on?

http://arstechnica.com/journals/micr...2006/6/28/4465

My copy of XP Pro is genuine so I have nothing to worry about but this still pee's me off, why should they treat all customers like criminals cos of a few?

If this does happen I'll be waiting for a hack to disable it, if not then I'll be boycotting XP and Vista and buying myself a Mac while running Linux on my PC.

I think this is total BS, what do you think?

**Daft_Ghosty** · June 28th, 2006, 01:23 PM

I run genuine copies myself too, but if they start disabling legit copies by mistake this will hurt them bad.. and if they disable mine.. well lets just say they will know me by first name basis..

**surreal** · June 29th, 2006, 12:11 AM

Does this mean that my stooping BG from phoning home with zone alarm was fruitless?

**RayH** · June 30th, 2006, 09:51 AM

All the aggravation that Microsoft is putting on XP users is probably a tactic to get people to buy Vista!

**RayH** · June 30th, 2006, 10:11 AM

I believe that Vista has the same systems built in. But as the target is the unlicensed user, what unlincensed user is going to want to buy XP at this point? But I also believe that they system will probably be smoother within Vista than with XP.

**phupper** · July 9th, 2006, 11:38 AM

*we do not allow this software here

GroundZero3*

**demon_wolf** · July 9th, 2006, 12:31 PM

And when the Windows Genuine Advantage Software reports your Fully Legal Copy of XP as being Pirated, then you have a whole lot of BS to work thru. Trust me, it has happened to one of my systems.

And my copy of XP Pro was purchased from a large and well known company based here in the US. Makes me wonder if this company really is selling legit software?

**joker12578** · July 9th, 2006, 02:00 PM

a lot of OEM keys are being locked out too

**Epyon9283** · July 9th, 2006, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Steve R Jones

Starting with the release of Vista and "Longhorn" Windows server next year, customers will be required to register their volume license keys (VLK) with Microsoft within 30 days of acquisition and report their license usage on a monthly basis, executives said.

Thats going to suck...

**RayH** · July 15th, 2006, 05:26 PM

What if Microsoft gave an OS and nobobdy came?

**Douce33** · July 15th, 2006, 05:36 PM

This sounds like alot of BS, but my Xp is legit and so will my copy of vista be but if i get screwed then im certainly gonna make myself heard. a little question for u guys though as u seem to sound like u know alot about this kinda thing. my comp i have now is as listed below but im building a new computer this week, im just waitin for monday to order the parts. will i be able to use my legit copy of XP in my new computer even if one of my puters wont be connected to the internet or am i expected to buy a whole new version of XP?

**EXreaction** · July 15th, 2006, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Douce33

This sounds like alot of BS, but my Xp is legit and so will my copy of vista be but if i get screwed then im certainly gonna make myself heard. a little question for u guys though as u seem to sound like u know alot about this kinda thing. my comp i have now is as listed below but im building a new computer this week, im just waitin for monday to order the parts. will i be able to use my legit copy of XP in my new computer even if one of my puters wont be connected to the internet or am i expected to buy a whole new version of XP?

Legaly you need one copy of XP for every system it is on, so if you have 2 pc's you need 2 copies.

**vesther** · July 16th, 2006, 07:45 AM

The WGA Controversy is going to hurt Microsoft real bad because this WGA Requirement will probably anger a lot of users who are often against Spyrware, as it has been rumored that WGA is INDEED spyware itself.

Looks like we've got a serious situation coming up in the computer world, this might affect businesses as well...

Things are starting to stir up here, I started limiting my use of Windows since I've heard about the ongoing security problems associated with it.

**Incognitotj** · July 20th, 2006, 10:54 AM

I work at a college that has a site license for windows xp. We create one image in a room using ghost and deploy it to all the other computers in the room before the beginning of each semester. Four days after imaging the computers, one decides that it has an illegal copy. The hoops you have to jump through: Click on a link, find your install media, answer a few questions, describe your install media through a series of radio buttons, and you are back in business. This would take well over an 8 hr day if all the computers did this (fortunately they have not). My other peeve with WGA is this. We have a network policy to download all of the updates for windows (which works sometimes). On the second wed of each month, I personally go to each of the computer labs and go directly to the update site and download them again because it is faster than figuring which comps downloaded and which ones didn't. I note this on a log that all computers are updated and wait for next month. 1-2 weeks later, my boss sees a pop up stating that there are updates waiting to be installed. Of course, I immediately think "oh crap - I missed one". Did I? Hell no, it's this damn WGA. Over the next week or so, all of the computers needed to be updated again so the students wouldn't keep getting that notification bubble that is about as annoying as "clippy".

Sorry guess I'm in a ranting mood today.

Inc