Pirates are successfully upgrading to Windows 10 for free

[The Gaige]

http://venturebeat.com/2015/07/29/pirates-are-successfully-upgrading-to-windows-10-for-free/

 

Over on these two Reddit threads in the subreddit Piracy, both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users are reporting they have managed to successfully upgrade their pirated copy of Microsoft’s operating system to the latest and greatest. That part isn’t a huge surprise — Microsoft did say pirates would be able to get Windows 10 — but the fact that Windows 10 is showing as “activated” is eyebrow-raising:

 

 

 

Well it seems like Pirates win after all!

 

BTW, if you where a windows tester you get it free anyway!

[Dabombinable]

Meh, considering the troubles I'm having with my ISP and the fact that Windows 10 has been dumbed and stripped down a shitload more than any previous Windows OS, I personally don't see the fuss about it.

[LAwLz]

Sounds like a veery good thing actually. A lot of pirates will now get genuine Windows keys and Microsoft has a big chance to make money from them through for example the app store.

Its win/win.

[thexzenon]

They might lose it once more people with the same key upgrade. I had a pirated version of Windows 8.1 until yesterday as well, but I thought this upgrade was worth 110 bucks so I just bought it. Works great so far (except for the fact that the Candy Crush icon nearly gave me a heart attack). 

[bogus]

Sounds like a veery good thing actually. A lot of pirates will now get genuine Windows keys and Microsoft has a big chance to make money from them through for example the app store.

Its win/win.

Among my professional peers in my network, I'm probably the only marketeer that sees alot of value in the piracy ecosystem (and I'm flamed for it)... businesses instead of trying to fight something that's impossible to be wiped without compromising people's freedom, they should just leverage it.

[PerfectTemplar]

I understand why some people might feel like they have to pirate, for example if they cannot afford a copy of Windows 7 or 8.1 at all. However, for those who pirate just because it's an option should really just buy the OS, it's a one time purchase.

[Psykomantis00]

I understand why some people might feel like they have to pirate, for example if they cannot afford a copy of Windows 7 or 8.1 at all. However, for those who pirate just because it's an option should really just buy the OS, it's a one time purchase.

I pirated windows 7 and 8 because after so many installs ( I nuke my system frequently) it wouldn't allow me to authenticate anymore. I called MS the last time and they allowed it but the next time I needed to force my key to work they wouldn't help me. So I stole it. 

[You_are_a_cunt]

I pirated windows 7 and 8 because after so many installs ( I nuke my system frequently) it wouldn't allow me to authenticate anymore. I called MS the last time and they allowed it but the next time I needed to force my key to work they wouldn't help me. So I stole it. 

Get out of my toaster. It won't toast 'cause you're hogging its IP address.

 

I've experienced something similar. My Win 8.1 key wouldn't work anymore, even after trying to activate via phone. Operator I finally got in contact with was nice enough to deactivate the key and reactivate it, allowing me to re-use it (MSDNAA provided key, if it matters)

[EChondo]

Huh, interesting. I wonder how MS will respond to this, if they respond at all.

 

I mean, either way cracks will appear for Windows 10, they already have actually so I doubt MS can stop this at all, but it'd be interesting if they turn a blind eye to this and allow these people to use MS services as if they are using a genuine W10 copy.

[Kamina]

Yup. Pirated 8.1 and got 10 working for free.

[sof006]

If any of you guys participated in the Windows Insider program your copy of Windows 10 will stay activated permanently as long as you're logged in with the Windows Insider Microsoft account.

 

Only catch is you are never on the "final build" as you'll always get a new version of Windows 10 pushed via Windows updates, its a price to pay to have something for free forever. I personally welcome it as I am always upgrading hardware in my PC. 

[BarisERY]

and here i am with a pirated W8.1 Enterprise  i bought a 8.1 key from g2a just to be able to upgrade and not be a pirate

[qwertywarrior]

im gonna stick with win7 on my laptop but i have to upgrade my gaming pc sooner or later

[GoodBytes]

Actually, it isn't all pirates that were success at this. Many failed.

[StareX]

Lol... pirates be jelly

[Hawx]

the fact that Windows 10 has been dumbed and stripped down a shitload more than any previous Windows OS

What? There's nothing wrong with Windows 10, it's a general improvement over both W7 and W8.

[Dabombinable]

What? There's nothing wrong with Windows 10, it's a general improvement over both W7 and W8.

Take note: its been dumbed down

[Techhog]

Actually, it isn't all pirates that were success at this. Many failed.

Is it possible that the ones who have Insider MS accounts are the successful ones?

[Techhog]

Take note: its been dumbed down

Are you actually going to explain your position other than the forced update thing kinda, or are you just going to say "dumbed down" over and over?

[RuffRuffmcgruff]

Among my professional peers in my network, I'm probably the only marketeer that sees alot of value in the piracy ecosystem (and I'm flamed for it)... businesses instead of trying to fight something that's impossible to be wiped without compromising people's freedom, they should just leverage it.

 

This can be replicated in the drugs business, look at how much revenue the DEA get's to "crackdown" on dealers and cartels etc. There is a lot of money on both sides for a black market /piracy.

[deviant88]

Hold your horses peeps they dont get a key they just get an upgrade because the activation system is broken if those pirates want to reinstall windows ever they need to do an upgrade again because the clean install from Boot doesnt work they didnt gave us any keys and machine ID thing doesnt work.If MS patches the pirated versions it means in the future if they reinstall they wont get shit reactivated, and since they dont have a key they cant do an install from USB either.

Anyway it wont be long before someone makes an activator, even if i have legit windows ill probably use that too i cant stand the upgrade process is filled with trash afterwards and i cant make a clean install when i need to reinstall.

[Dabombinable]

Are you actually going to explain your position other than the forced update thing kinda, or are you just going to say "dumbed down" over and over?

Forcing updates and effectively automating another part of the OS and removing user control of it is what I mean by dumbing down, that and hiding settings so that they are more difficult to find.

[Trik'Stari]

Forcing updates and effectively automating another part of the OS and removing user control of it is what I mean by dumbing down, that and hiding settings so that they are more difficult to find.

Not to mention the obviously large security issue that is forced updating. To anyone who says "no it's not", ask yourself WHY the enterprise edition comes without that "feature".

 

Not to mention that W10 appears to be a giant package of malware.

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/418021-according-to-8chans-tech-windows-10-could-be-fairly-malicious/page-1

 

Won't be surprised at all when that turns out to be true.

[Techhog]

Forcing updates and effectively automating another part of the OS and removing user control of it is what I mean by dumbing down, that and hiding settings so that they are more difficult to find.

You also said "more than any other Windows OS." Yet, you've only mentioned two things...

 

It's a testament to how badly MS is able to screw things up that they can make a free OS not worth it, though. That's just amazing. Windows 7 is confirmed to be the new XP at this point.

[EChondo]

Anyway it wont be long before someone makes an activator

Actually from the Reddit threads people are using the same activator they use for Windows 7/8.1, it seems that Microsoft didn't really change anything for W10 and how it "activates". So pirates are upgrading and if they don't have an activated W10 they just use their old activator and it still works...