Microsoft has updated software that verifies whether a copy of Windows is genuine in its Windows XP Professional edition. The company said it made the changes to the Windows Genuine Notification (WGA) alerts for XP Pro because it is “the product edition that is most often stolen.”
Now when a version of Windows XP Pro is found to be pirated or counterfeit – [or at least Microsoft thinks it is] – the next time a user logs on to the system, the desktop screen background will be black, replacing whatever custom desktop may have been set by the user. This will reappear every 60 minutes, even if a user resets the screen’s background. Previously, this was not a part of the WGA notification for Windows XP Pro.
Another new feature of the alert system is to put the PC into “persistent desktop notification” mode, with a banner at the bottom of the screen informing the user that the copy of Windows is not genuine. The notification is translucent and users can interact with any objects underneath it; however, it will continue to appear on the screen until a user installs a genuine copy of Windows.
The office pool for this month will be – how many legit copies of XP Pro will end up saddled with the Microsoft accusing finger?
Umm… you do realize this is nothing new. Ive seen this message come up years ago. I actually ran a Corp license of WinXP that I got “from a friend” and this message started popping up. I got tired of it and found a deal for a legit copy of WinXP for $40. No more messages since then.
10-12%
if NOT A total FAIL..
now many of you KNOW what this will do.
you WONT be able to STARt the computer, and you Probably WONT get into SAFE mode.
WHICH means that the RELEASE of a fix, MEANS NOTHING..
I have to ask…HOW long after a programs RELEASE do you think it should be released to the public.
Do you THINK Pac-man should STILL be copy righted??
ALSO, that sence MS has STOPPED BACKING, for win2000 and XP, anyway..and gone to VISTA. SHOULD the copyright still hold.
#32, zakm
Two words.
Pirate Bay.
You can find legitimate copies of XP for a lot less than $40.
#34, I paid $40 years ago, before Vista was out. So no, you couldnt find it cheaper than that, plus it was a Upgrade edition which is always cheaper than the full.
Whats your point about Pirate Bay? If the license code is blacklisted, you will get this message unless you hack the system and some other rigamarol.
#33, This does not prevent you from booting up or even working inside of windows. It simply pops up a balloon stating what the screenshot says. Im not SURE what you were trying to get AT with YOUR caps…LOL.