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Uncategorized Wednesday, November 21st 2012 at 2:45 pm

Microsoft Accidentally Gives Free Copies of Windows 8 Pro to Pirates

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When it comes to computer software, piracy is a big issue. No matter what measures traditional companies implement to keep pirates out, they’ll always find ways to get around them. When a better lock’s built, folks just devise new ways to pick it. It’s pretty much a fact of life. So it’s not surprising that folks have already pirated Windows 8. If anything, it was probably expected. What is surprising, however, is that Microsoft’s just unintentionally legitimized pirated copies of Windows 8 Pro through a Windows Media Center upgrade. Oops.

This exploit allows all those pirates currently using the KMS exploit to suddenly grant themselves a complete copy. Since KMS installs basically expire after 180 days, it’s not exactly a permanent solution. VentureBeat explains:

That provides a neat workaround for pirates who exploit a weakness in Microsoft’s Key Management Service (KMS) to get temporary access to copies of Windows 8. Normally, KMS provides a way for corporate IT people to activate copies of Windows on a local network, without having to make each PC contact Microsoft directly for authentication during the install process, but it has also given rise to pirate KMS servers, which hand out activation keys over the internet.

Someone over at Microsoft’s probably facepalming at this very moment.

(reddit via WindowsWave, VentureBeat)

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  • Anonymous

    Or it could be intentional. Windows 8 has gotten a lot of flack, but if you can get the tech savvy crowd to use it and say some (hopefully) good things about it then you may very well influence others who rely on said tech savvy people, savvy?

  • Liggerstuxin

    Interesting idea… Cause I’m a pirate (dont hate I’m really poor, not like that makes it legal) and now I’m considering the idea. I probably won’t make the switch because I’d rather have a functioning version of my (pirated) windows 7. Maybe once they catch up a little ill do them the favor of pirating it.

  • Jack Bond

    “(dont hate I’m really poor, not like that makes it legal)” Finally a comment I can (sort of) respect. Most pirates feel like they’re fighting for justice when they steal software. At least I can feel some hope for humanity when people like you admit you know it’s still not okay.

  • Liggerstuxin

    I almost wish there were some sort of system in place for severly low income people to have the same access to these various materials. Like subsidies for copyrighted materials. Prove you can’t pay for it, and then have acces to torrents. Crazy? Yes. Going to happen? No. Are we soon to have those Finland laws that just took away and nine-year-olds Winnie the Pooh laptop for copyright infringement of a single song? Please no. Also how can you sue the poor? Isn’t that a tremendous waste of reasources?

  • Jack Bond

    I agree, it needs to be easier for the poor to have access to useful technology. Some companies do some attempt such things, like Microsoft offering Windows Starter edition which is extremely limited, but still quite good to give to poor countries. Unfortunately, though, it would be wrong to force stuff like that on companies. It’s just up to them to be generous.

  • Dustin

    I would love to agree with you on that, but what you’re doing is setting up another system of welfare for people to abuse. Even if that’s not your intent it will eventually end up that way. Just like the current welfare system.

  • Jack Bond

    I don’t see how it’s anything like welfare. Companies decide to give limited products for free? The current welfare system takes money from people and gives it to the poor. The system I described is when a company distributes its own product willingly on it’s own terms.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/LZHFB5SMKPWFSALGW3MPL7NBRI Midnight

    It’s not even worth to pirate Windows 8. Microsoft needs to get their heads out of the sand & realize that it is futile to make a desktop touch screen. Not to mention changing the UI to make people want to switch to Apple! i have enjoyed pretty much every Windows system but this is the first one that i actually despise so much that i want the concept of the new start menu to crumble. Anyway i think MS did this on purpose, no one in their right minds would get Windows 8, at least anyone with the decency to know that MS made a grave mistake with their UI, Windows 8 is a disgrace to the Windows system.