Converting Pirated Windows XP Into a Legal Copy
If you are running a pirated copy of Windows XP Professional (or Home Edition), you can very easily convert it into a properly licensed version by just updating your XP Product Key that comes with the Get Genuine kit.
This is definitely a good offer for “unlicensed” Windows XP users who wish to legalize their software without having to reformat the computer or re-install the OS.
But a surprising part of the story is that software pirates, who later go genuine through the amnesty route, get a “better deal” from Microsoft than customers who buy legal software first-hand.
For instance in India, where majority of assembled computers are shipped with illegal XP software, a full licensed edition of Windows XP Pro costs ~$275 at the Microsoft Online Store while the Get Genuine kit (that convert illegal software into licensed version) is priced at only ~$200.
Also read Bill Gates’ confession on Software Piracy.
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It may interest you to know that in India, no one buys a Full Licensed edition. Everyone buys an “OEM Edition” which is priced closer to $150 and hence buying online makes less sense.
Whats the problem with the pirated version of XP.It has got a still better offer –> People using Pirated software need not give money atall….until they have been caught by….by….???????
A biiiiiiiiig news in India, aint it? ;)
Also the price comparison you gave, I think to round it all OEM licensing must be touched upon. Without that it would be wrong to say that pirates get a better deal through amnesty deal. It is often a case that people make the mistake of comparing the price at which an assembler is selling you something with listed MRPs.
Hats off to you though, for you are always the first one to hit the news.
That’s interesting that they get a better deal. Nice post!
We can get the OEM pack for much lesser price.
good offer form Microsoft, but I doubt how many people in India will be interested in this !!!!
Satish: There are plenty of advantages of using Genuine Windows. For instance, you cannot get Windows Update on your pirated version of Windows.
I think getting genuine windows makes complete sense.
Well looks like it is new rule of the game. You occupy a property first and then buy it later at much cheaper prices and go legal.
Hi Thilak,
I am using Priated XP and I am getting all the windows updates till now.
Use the cracks dude..And those updates which come along with original XP…., hope this much facility is enough for the pirated users, I dont find any problem in the pirated XP,
Is there any???
What so you say?
The only way out for Windows to make money is to very soon launch the ad-supported versions of Microsoft Office. No “deal” is going to get the conscience out of the consumers in South Asia and China and get them to pay for an OS…
i got a legal vista home edition with my new laptop i need to change it to professional can i do it by just updating the key or do i need to install the professional edition.
From a long time I am working as a customer support engineer I use to install my customer the piracy ver. Of Microsoft windows now I realized that what is steeling what is cheating
Now I suggest my customers to go for genuine but most of all 99% they don’t feel the the thing what I am feeling in steeling. And I am loosing my customers for being faithful and genuine. They are finding other system engineers who will install any thing for the little amounts. (now I am planning to show those who are using un licensed versions of windows and other Microsoft software. How to contact with Microsoft in this case plz guide me. absabz@gmail
Microsoft or any other company doesnt make software for nothing. Always go for the original. Don’t kill good software now, like the movies.
Get a life man! Use the pirated XP copy…..don’t worry about the wga fix or crack and so on. We are working on it to get more fixes for those who love piracy.
Think again supporting those people who spent nothing but selling expensive stuffs to consumers when the cost price is like $0.01?
F.O dude.
People have you never heard of Linux???
As an ex software developer - I hate pirates and would never knowingly purchase pirate fake goods.
How long will the industry survive? maybe 20 years? maybe less? Who knows, I don’t know how long the music & film industry will survive and if or when it crashes due to Pirates - who’ll be the ones complaining or out of business?
Do everybody a favour use Linux - its far better than M$ Windoze. Its free, you don’t need a virus checker and or extra firewall defences therefore your computer will run notably quicker. Use Open Office for your Business transactions. Opera and/or FireFox for your Internet Experience. Use NetBeans or Eclipse for your software development platform for whatever language you wish to program in.
Everything in Linux is freely downloadable, I use Fedora 8 and my wife uses Ubuntu, the learning curve is very comfortable and refreshing - the experience is the wisdom you will atain and realising that you can now do business legally and relax about it.