In an attempt to reduce piracy in South America, Microsoft launched yesterday a Windows XP edition which is aimed at low-income users who cannot afford to purchase a genuine version of the operating system.

Unfortunately for them, this version of Microsoft, called XP Starter Edition, comes only with basic applications, limits the number of programs allowed to run and removes networking capabilities. Moreover, XP Starter Edition is not compatible with last generation processors.

The edition was launched in Mexico City during a conference which was attended by several Microsoft partners: Telmex, Texa, Lanix and Hergo.

XP Starter Edition is available only as a preinstalled solution, thus users will have to buy a new computer to take advantage of it.

This release is the continuation of Microsoft's initiative to stop piracy in the countries with low income per inhabitant. The giant from Redmond has also launched this type of edition in Thailand, Russia, Malaysia, India and Brazil.