Do you have genuine Windows OS?

In the recent past, whether you have a genuine windows operating system or not has become a big issue. If you have tried to install or even download some of the new softwares coming from Microsoft then you understand what I mean by this. For example, Microsoft provides Windows Defender and antispy software, Internet Explorer 7.0 Beta 3 , and few other set of useful programs. But all these can be downloaded only when you have a genuine windows version. It does check whether you version of Windows is legal or not before allowing you to download these softwares. This check is done even when you try to install Service Pack 2 for Windows XP etc.

Well, may be the time has come to buy genuine software to enjoy all the other goodies provided by Microsoft. At least, I understand, that's what Micrsoft indends. But by this how much of piracy can Microsoft bring down? The question will be answered by the time.

By not allowing all ( I mean users who are not using genuine Windows) to download these softwares may be may be Microsoft is encouraging them to try other open source versions. Of course, which is not what Microsoft intends. For example, IE 7.0 provides Tabs facility. If you are trying to download but failed to do so because of you not using genuine Windows, you might be then indirectly foreced to try other browsers like - Opera or Mozilla etc.

Let anything be the outcome of this new step taken by Micrsoft, I feel students will be the sufferes. I don't think many students can afford a genuine Windows on their system as it costs them another three thousand or so in addition to their assembled system cost.
If you are buying a branded system, it must come with preloaded and licensed operation system. But if that is not what you want (for example, you get Windows XP Home but you want Windows XP Prof.) then you are in soup again.

The question is, how can Microsoft tell which version is genuine which is not. This is what Microsoft is doing ...

"Microsoft creates a match between your PC's hardware profile and your 25-character Product Key (located on the Certificate of Authenticity), which Microsoft stores and checks against future activation and validation attempts. We do this to ensure that your Product Key is not used by another person in a malicious manner, such as activating a counterfeit or non-genuine copy of Windows."

So, one last thing! If you really buy a legitimate copy of Windows, make sure you don't allow others to copy it. Because the when your friend uses it to download any softwares from Microsoft website then the product key and his system's hardware profile are stored in Microsoft's database.  So, next time if you try, it says you are not legitimate user as his friend has already been.

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