So...It's been suggested that come September...

[nichomach]

...Windows Genuine Advantage will become the big "off" switch for any machine that it doesn't think is running a genuine copy of Windows.

Likely? Not likely? Right? Wrong?

I'd like to emphasise that the source is not authoritative, by the way.

The Inq

[directhex]

no problem - i have zero sympathy for people who violate software licenses, and all my windows licenses are legit

[nichomach]

True enough, as long as WGA actually works as designed all the time; however, there's quite a lot of reported instances of it mis-identifying legit copies as pirated.

[jamin]

The only drawback is for those people who were sold illegal copies of XP on ebay, or with a second hand computer who "could" assume they have legit copies.

[Mike Fishcake]

In theory I have no problem with it.

In practise, unless there is an easy way to deal with any problems re: incorrect diagnosis, not a particularly good idea.

[Funkstar]

There has been a lot of traffic on WGA on The Hardware mailing list i'm subscribed to. There are a few on there complaining how WGA fails to install correctly and authenticate on their boxes no matter what they do. They could probably get round it with a fresh install, but still a pain to do if your copy is genuine etc.

I'm with you on this tho Directhex, i'm all legit here too. And thats why i don't have Photoshop CS, After Effects or Premier as much as i would like them

EDIT: there is also the issue of it 'phoning home' every time you boot windows. i don't like that. It should only authenticate when you need to apply patches etc. i think.

[dangel]

I suppose it depends on how you view piracy - if it's just a black and white issue then sumary execution of offenders is the way to go. Personally (and no offence to the 'take them out and burn them' crowd) I'm not so sure it is and I'll freely admit that i've pirated software over the years either because I couldn't afford the asking price or I just plain wanted to try it out for myself. Of course, like many of us, i've then gone on to buy said software for commecial use and therein lies the rub - who are we seeking to punish? Corporates are well covered by law (and audits) and represent the real money for software development - home users really don't have an impact as a whole as they don't buy into the long-term support packages or the top-tier level of software products; less revenue, less loss. It also makes you look pretty bloody greedy when you're already rolling in money (microsoft).

I also think that the actual implementation of this is a logistical nightmare - not just for MS but for customers too. I'm not sure, for example, as to what happens if my laptop can't 'phone home' due to the fact i'm not on the corporate network as i'm in malaysia far from a phone line. Plus, i've already seen the the problems with hardware changes and 'product activation'.

Then again, the software i write commericially has the ultimate copy-protection - it doesn't really do anything without the million-pound instrument to go with it

[XA04]

"According to one punter who contacted ZD Net, he was told by Windows support that those that do not run WGA in Autumn will have their computers switched off. Windows will give you a 30 day warning and then if it's not installed, Windows will stop working."

How's that going to work then? I don't see how they could just make windows "stop" working, unless you installed the WGA thing in the first place. It's not like they have control over your system.. or have they installed a backdoor that nobody knows about?

[Taz]

WGA is a part of the critical updates I believe, so it may get installed if you have Automatic Updates turned on.

[Kaine (AoD)]

Didnt M$ try something like this a while back? and didnt they get heavily sued?

[dangel]

Indeed - all they have to do is make it mandatory for updates and most systems i've seen in the past 2-3 months already have WGA installed (automajically).

[digit]

WGA is a part of the critical updates I believe, so it may get installed if you have Automatic Updates turned on.

Correct it is, easy to get around just refuse for it to be installed as part of the updates. Interestingly enough my brother got a message saying buy WGA or windows will be disabled in 30 days, and that was a month ago.

[FatalSaviour]

I forsee a lot of people ringing me up and asking why their 2nd hand computers are no longer working...(I'm fairly certain that there's a few I've worked on the past who's copies of Windows are Corporate editions)

[Taz]

Correct me if i'm wrong but the most heavily pirated version of XP, the corporate licensed version, cannot be 'legalised' simply by installing a fully licensed retail version of XP over the top?

Hence, there will probably be millions of users with a big headache of how to legalise their pirate copy of XP with the minimum of disruption (i.e. avoiding a full re-install).

[Kumagoro]

Today I have been reinstalling XP and I couldnt use win update. The thing activates OK
but it comes up with an unknown error and cant install WGA. Luckly I clicked on some other
link which tells you about WGA and installed it from there. What a load of old toss it is.

[pr0p4g4nd4]

No Way!