Copies of Windows Vista Retail DVE have been ripped and made available for download free of charge on pirate websites and peer-to-peer networks. Of course that free of charge in this context is also synonymous with illegal and with the inherent threats brought by added malicious code.

A superficial search on websites hosting pirated materials revealed that Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate DVD 64-bit Vendor Retail, Windows.Vista.x86.Retail (apparently a Russian version), Vista Ultimate Edition Retail (the Chinese version), Vista x86 Ultimate Edition Genuine Retail, Windows Vista Ultimate x64 Retail DVD, Windows Vista home premium retail, Vista Ultimate- x86 Retail and Windows Vista x86 Ultimate Retail are the offers on a p2p network.

There is no telling what the files actually contain; however, the oldest has been uploaded just three days ago, while the latest just yesterday, a clear indication of the fact that their uploaders wanted to give the impression that it is indeed the retail version of the operating system launched on January 30, 2007.

Another p2p network delivers two files for Windows Vista Ultimate x86 Retail DVD and Download Windows Vista Ultimate x64 Retail DVD but claims that the downloads are simply ripped copies of the retail versions of the Windows DVDs. Additionally, this website does not provide a product key or even a crack for the operating system.

If you were waiting for links, you know the rule... Softpedia does not support piracy of any kind.