One of my friend was using pirated Windows x64 Ultimate. And he forgot to disable Windows Automatic Update. Now Windows is showing the message "This Copy of Windows Is Not Genuine".
Now he is panicking because he is having a static IP address at his home which is registered under his name itself. Now he is planning to remove the pirated version and will buy a Genuine Windows(by my advice).
So my question is that whether there would be any legal issues in the future because of his folly ?
Does Microsoft keep IP address records of all non-Genuine Windows ?
No, not as far as I know. If that were the case, no pirate could ever go legit by buying a genuine copy of windows, that would hurt MS's sales as well. MS's objective is to kill piracy, not pirates (as far as possible ).
But in that article they have mentioned like this:
The Update will run periodic validations (initially every 90 days). During validation, Windows will download the latest ‘signatures’ that are used to identify new activation exploits – much like an anti-virus service.
Certain PC details are transmitted whenever you validate or update not just with MS but say when you update AVs, similarly firewalls know everything about what you do on the internet. But stop being paranoid and get a genuine copy and that'll be the end of the matter.
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Hi there
Perfectly valid question -- but if you delve a little further the logistics are just to HORRENDOUS to contemplate -- and in any case IP addresses aren't going to help people catch "serious" pirates since these guys will more than likely use VPN's or other anonomous servers.
In any case if your copy of Windows fails the validation test the chances are it came from a non legitimate source.
If you really believe your copy is GENUINE then you can activate it by phone to MS.
Some stuff really "does fall off the Back of a Lorry" but the chances of it happening when you want it to are about the same as winning the Lottery.
Just get a LEGAL copy.
Cheers
jimbo
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Even now I just want to stick to my guns(to my original post). If I wanted to conceal myself, I would not have dared to post it on a public forum and would have concealed my identity.
FYI, I'm not having any Windows 7 running on any of my machines, I'm using Windows XP SP3 + CentOS.
I just helped my friend(who was a newbie) to install it on his own PC with the OS supplied by him.
And, I repent myself for what I've done and asked him to buy a legitimate copy(since he can afford it and will get Tech support ).
).
).
