Gaming got a pirated windows Copy.

[philip11]

So I went to a Ham fest basically a Flea market and I found a good deal on a laptop and so I got it connected
to the in internet and it says I got a fake version of XP and I was wondering would it be Legal to keep this Copy?
I installed some updates and no problems.

 

[Psionic Roshambo]

No it's not legal.

Does the laptop have a license sticker on it? Usually they come with a code on them, if you install the correct version of windows everything should be fine assuming they haven't used the key on 20 other machines and invalidated it...

 

[basher11]

does it matter? mostly everybody uses a pirated copy of windows.

 

[kthnxshwn]

does it matter? mostly everybody uses a pirated copy of windows.

This is not true.

 

[Psionic Roshambo]

does it matter? mostly everybody uses a pirated copy of windows.

Well for XP it can be difficult to get updates (although that issue will resolve itself soon.)

At the OP, if you want I have some spare legit keys (I keep old PC's and the licenses for emergencies.) I have probably 20 XP legit licenses. Just let me know and I will PM you a good key and destroy the original so its all legit.

 

[Majorami]

does it matter? mostly everybody uses a pirated copy of windows.

This is not true.

I do.

I thought I deserved a free copy of Windows 7 after buying a machine that came with Vista.

 

[Hyro-Sama]

If you use a pirated copy of wndows who cares? I know a lot of people how have pirated windows or have one license on mulitple comps. (More than the license allows)

 

[philip11]

No it's not legal.

Does the laptop have a license sticker on it? Usually they come with a code on them, if you install the correct version of windows everything should be fine assuming they haven't used the key on 20 other machines and invalidated it...

heh that's the thing it was designed for 98

does it matter? mostly everybody uses a pirated copy of windows.

Well for XP it can be difficult to get updates (although that issue will resolve itself soon.)

At the OP, if you want I have some spare legit keys (I keep old PC's and the licenses for emergencies.) I have probably 20 XP legit licenses. Just let me know and I will PM you a good key and destroy the original so its all legit.

how would I do that?

 

[Foxi4]

1. Remove WGA.
2. Enjoy a life with no notifications.

Windows XP is no longer sold OR supported anyways, nobody really cares anymore. It's been *years* since anyone cared. But no, technically it is not legal to keep it.

 

[philip11]

1. Remove WGA.
2. Enjoy a life with no notifications.

Windows XP is no longer sold OR supported anyways, nobody really cares anymore. It's been *years* since anyone cared. But no, technically it is not legal to keep it.

how would I remove WGA?

 

[Foxi4]

1. Remove WGA.
2. Enjoy a life with no notifications.

Windows XP is no longer sold OR supported anyways, nobody really cares anymore. It's been *years* since anyone cared. But no, technically it is not legal to keep it.

how would I remove WGA?

Google the term "Remove WGA", there's a zillion of tools that do it, really.

At the end of the day, this is just a notification. After you've installed all Service Packs, there's nothing Windows XP will offer further.

 

[Psionic Roshambo]

No it's not legal.

Does the laptop have a license sticker on it? Usually they come with a code on them, if you install the correct version of windows everything should be fine assuming they haven't used the key on 20 other machines and invalidated it...

heh that's the thing it was designed for 98

does it matter? mostly everybody uses a pirated copy of windows.

Well for XP it can be difficult to get updates (although that issue will resolve itself soon.)

At the OP, if you want I have some spare legit keys (I keep old PC's and the licenses for emergencies.) I have probably 20 XP legit licenses. Just let me know and I will PM you a good key and destroy the original so its all legit.

how would I do that?

It is legal to download the ISO file for XP, you may need to Google around for it. Do a clean install (I would do this anyway as who knows whats running on that machine you picked up at the flea market...) when it asks for the key just type it in.

 

[philip11]

Will probably do that if not I'll install Linux Mint

 

[kthnxshwn]

does it matter? mostly everybody uses a pirated copy of windows.

This is not true.

I do.

I thought I deserved a free copy of Windows 7 after buying a machine that came with Vista.

That's not "mostly everybody" Also, if you think you deserve a free copy of one thing after you buy another that has outdated *anything*, you're in for a world of disappointments when you grow up.

 

[Psionic Roshambo]

Will probably do that if not I'll install Linux Mint

If you can get Linux working on it (some older laptops are an adventure....) that would probably be the best route.
Just be aware that if something doesn't work under one version of Linux it might work with a different flavor.

Mint is really good though.

You might also look into Puppy Linux, I have had great luck in getting it working on older Laptops.

 

[Ben_j]

does it matter? mostly everybody uses a pirated copy of windows.

This is not true.

I do.

I thought I deserved a free copy of Windows 7 after buying a machine that came with Vista.

Just because YOU have a pirated copy doesn't mean everybody does. Most people buy their computer with Windows already installed, so most people use a legit version.

Plus, most student (mostly computer science students) have access to free legal copies of Windows via their school, so even if you build the computer yourself and don't buy windows, there's a good chance you can get it for free.

 

[philip11]

removed WGA from it! perfectly so what I'll probably do is keep XP and keep Linux on a CD drive.-philip11

 

[DiscostewSM]

Plus, most student (mostly computer science students) have access to free legal copies of Windows via their school, so even if you build the computer yourself and don't buy windows, there's a good chance you can get it for free.

I am one of those. I even have a couple legit copies for my needs. This is my last semester though, so I won't be getting any more

 

[Rydian]

No it's not legal to download the XP ISO unless you're in the MSDN.

I'd advise against a pirates OD unless you're still able to get updates properly.

 

[jimmyemunoz]

Windows XP is no longer sold OR supported anyways, nobody really cares anymore. It's been *years* since anyone cared. But no, technically it is not legal to keep it.

XP is still supported but it is about to be unsupported in a couple of months.