Sort of funny that Microsoft made a big show of handing over the Windows 7 RTM code to Lenovo and other manufacturers last week — the first activation crack for the OS has just appeared, and it’s based on Lenovo’s OEM license key. Oops. The crack apparently works with 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows 7 Ultimate, and it apparently passes Genuine Advantage, so things are looking good for all you wannabe pirates out there. You did buy an upgrade disc, though, right?
They obviously have learned a lot about security. No, not Microsoft. The folks who cracked the license.
Thanks, Joe T
Ya but who the hell would want to. It’s like facing possible jail time for stealing a broken shovel.
Have these pirates no shame? At least be polite enough for Windows 7 to be released before you go cracking it! You’re just hurting Microsoft’s feeling’s now.
And? Any activation method can and will be cracked.
I don’t know why Microsoft doesn’t just do away with the whole activation thing. The vast majority (85%+) of their profit comes from OEMs and business sales. What’s the point of hasseling enthusiasts and people who want to upgrade?
#2….because the profit from OEMs would jump to 95%+.
But yes, they tie themselves in knots with this stuff.
If it’s worth cracking – it will be cracked.
Every version of Photoshop has been cracked and available before retail release for the last decade. The number of 3D studio Max and Maya installations that are cracked is beyond imagination.
If they made it impossible to crack, they would have been criticized for being greedy bastards, but here they seem to be being criticized for not knowing how to make it impossible to crack. LOL – funny stuff.
Type Apple Final Cut Pro or try Apple Logic Studio into Piratebay…..looks like they really know security as well. LOL.
They should do what they planned to do with Office and make an ad-supported version of 7 for pirates.
Steve did say he wanted the most of his revenue to come from advertising didn’t he?
They should do what they planned to do with Office and make a free ad-supported version of 7 for pirates.
Steve did say he wanted the most of his revenue to come from advertising didn’t he?
Yeah, I never even bothered to steal Vista. I might not even bother with 7. Linux is coming along rather nicely thank you very much.
I think this will be less of an issue now that Microsoft came to its senses and announced the “family” option (where you can buy Windows 7 and install it on up to 3 PCs in the same location).
I know Apple did it first. Microsoft needs to get back to its proven method of innovation: just copy Apple.
#6
How about the iPhone…..they locked that down, eh?
How about iTunes on the Palm Pre. They cut that off….for a day. They sure know how to lock stuff down!
And I want Windows 7 because, . . . ?
Now, as soon as they get a decent antispy, I might even try it. Unauthorized ‘transparent’ communications are a much bigger concern.
Just think of it, if M$ were to just make a decent operating system that’s fast as a whip, makes optimal use of any configuration, and facilitates development, and just leave it at that. We’d have a slew of 3rd party security applications to choose from and it wouldn’t be so easy for hackers to have such a profound impact.
OEMs should be forced to sell computers without Windows pre-installed.
It’d be like if TV manufacturers sold you a TV with only one Dish Network plan and that none other TV shops would have any alternative to it. What if you want to buy a TV and later decide yourself how to get TV channels onto it?
When you go to Best Buy, you should be able to pick any Laptop or Desktop computer and demand not to have to pay the $100 Microsoft Windows tax. And Best Buy should be obligated to provide you with the computer without Windows pre-loaded on it. If for reasons of limited stocks, then OEMs should have a USB key process on bootup that can remove the Windows OS completely in a few seconds quick Formatting. That process could be done in the store or you can get that USB key and be asked to delete Windows yourself when you first turn it on in your home. Then Best Buy needs to have discs or USB sticks with any other alternative OS that would be available, for example Chrome OS and Ubuntu should be available right there on a free USB stick which you can then boot your computer with and it would automatically install those OSes.
# 13 Charbax said, “OEMs should be forced to sell computers without Windows pre-installed.”
That’s the norm where I am currently living in SE Asia. And I’m talking major brands; HP, Dell, Lenovo, etc. Then you walk to the guy across the hall and for about $5 he’ll install any operating system you want.
The problem here is not finding a pirate copy, but try to find a legit copy!
#13
Here is a thought, if you are THAT adamant about not paying the Microsoft Tax, then build your own computer and install what you want.
The majority of consumers don’t know or care what operating system they are running, now you want to throw things at them like Chrome and Linux? And some Best Buy schmuck to try to break it all down for them.
#13 “OEMs should be forced to sell computers without Windows pre-installed.”
Why? OEM’s sell what consumers want. Considering the huge discount big OEMs get on Windows its actually a good value for the consumer.
Don’t want Windows? Quit complaining and buy a system with something else or build your own. Its not hard at all.
So OEMs have to pay for a copy of Windows for every computer sold, or just for every computer with Windows?
If it’s the former, then getting a blank computer becomes expensive too.
Yes sir re Bob. You won’t see that happening on Linux. Nobody cracks it.
Of course the exact reason that someone would want to steal something that they can get free escapes me.
I still like Ubuntu even if you can’t actually steal it.?8^)
Recently I purchased a new Dell laptop from the dell Shop, told them befor the purchase I dont want Windows on the system, They agreed and dropped the Microsoft price portion o fthe price. However when I got home a unpacked the computer, it had the full Windows Installation still on the system. I had a bit of a laugh, then I immediatly formatted the device, and re-installed my preferred Cracked version of XP from Thailand… Go Hackers!! But in the next breath I shall tell you I use Linix at home, the average user can download Ubuntu 9.04 (free)and do everything he/she needs to do and never use Windows again! My 6 year old likes it and my 16 year old prefers it!! Microsoft has been on te slide for a while now and will continue to slide.. 🙂
#16 Thank you for your suggestion… I’ve bought and paid for at least one copy of 7 different M$ OS’s. I have no problem with buying. I just don’t see why I can’t do what I want with what I bought and why M$ has the right to be communicating with my system without my authorization. Oh and I couldn’t care less about the majority of consumers.
#21 …why M$ has the right to be communicating with my system without my authorization
Needs moar tinfoil.
M$? Conspiracy theories? Is it just me or do all the anti-Mircosoft trolls sound like a bunch of 12 year olds?
#22 I was probably using computers long before you were born (since 1975). Do you have any idea just how much communication goes on? Or do you just disqualify other peoples comments out of sheer blind ignorance.
Why am I not surprised it’s the cracked version from a Chinese OEM?