DigitalSword said:
Well gee honkee maybe they fixed it to say "hey, jackass, stop pirating shit"
Yeah, that part's right - not so sure about the federales, though.
The latest Windows update included the new Microsoft Genuine Advantage software which scans your version and determines if it's legitimate or counterfeit. If it finds it to be a fake, it gives a warning message followed by a system tray icon - you can click it and get options on how to get the real goods. With a receipt of purchase and explanation they even offer complimentary copies. Here's the site about it:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx?displaylang=en
And here's an article on some of the negative reactions to packaging software like this in a standard "Windows Update" pack [which kinda pisses me off too now that I've read more about it ><]:
http://www.cmpnetasia.com/oct3_nw_viewart.cfm?Artid=28825&Catid=8&subcat=89§ion=News
The program's validation feature, however, does pass along more information, notifying the company whether a computer is running a pirated copy of Windows, and identifying the manufacturer of the hardware, and its settings for language and locale. The software rechecks the computer every 90 days to make sure nothing has changed.
If you rearrange the letters in Microsoft, you get BIG BROTHER.
:|
Oh yeah, and to answer your question - pirated versions of Windows
cannot download software updates but can still receive security patches and updates.