The pirated copy of Vista does not require a serial number, is already activated, and updates itself from Microsoft

May 21, 2007 11:01 GMT  ·  By

Despite of the measures built into the operating system and the "genuine" system created around it, Windows Vista is as much a victim of piracy as Windows XP was. And Windows XP was sent out barefoot into the world, as far as anti-piracy is concerned. Microsoft did not manage to introduce the Windows Genuine Advantage mechanism until years later. This year, on March 30, Microsoft's Genuine Software Initiative turned 1, and the program's biggest accomplishments are modest to say the least.

The Windows Genuine Advantage and Office Genuine Advantage programs are both active anti-piracy measures designed to reduce the levels of software piracy affecting Microsoft's flagship products. With worldwide piracy at 35%, Windows and Office are among the most impacted products. However, Microsoft is mute when it comes to delivering details about the WGA findings.

Since the initial introduction in July 2005, the "Windows Genuine Advantage mechanism program has processed more than 600 million unique product validations" according to Microsoft, and the company has been given signs that can be interpreted such as a positive result of the WGA. One such example is the consistent drop in the prices of pirated materials. Counterfeit copies of Windows Vista come rarely with price tags above $10. Cori Hartje, director of the Microsoft Genuine Software Initiative, revealed that Vista at dirt cheap prices is a WGA success.

Windows Vista has by no means been overlooked by pirates. Hammering at the operating system has debuted as Vista was not even on the shelves, and the pirated copies evolved in parallel with Microsoft's anti-piracy methods, adapting to the company's measures.

The latest pirated Windows Vista on the block can be considered a complete crack. Released by a group called "NoPE" as reported by ActiveWin, the pirated Windows Vista functions out of the box. All that the users are required to do is to install the bootlegged operating system. The cracked copy of Vista will not require a serial number or activation, and is detected as genuine by Microsoft's WGA since it has access to the latest updates.