# Genuine Windows bullshit does what now? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 19, 2009, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003 "2009-03-19T07:49:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chicken\_wire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@chicken\_wire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chicken_wire)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/1 "2009-03-19T07:49:33Z")
My old dad has an old laptop running Windows XP (office version, I think). He knows jack about computers (and probably shouldn’t be allowed to have one, for his own protection, and for the common good, but let’s let that be for now). The laptop he got for cheap from some mate who’s a backyard computer dude. Dad had trouble with Genuine Windows validation nagging for a while, but got a different version from another acquaintance, who supposedly had a multiple licence version from somewhere. That latest version kept the Microsoft fraud hounds at bay for the last six months or so, but they’re back, maybe. Something changed his desktop wallpaper from whatever it was supposed to be to an all black number with the Genuine Windows “your version may not be legitimate” or whatever warning in the bottom right corner. Does Microsoft _do_ that kind of thing, or is it more likely some kind of malware evil phishing expedition? I mean, nagging is one thing, but changing your wallpaper? That’s bad. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/2 "2009-03-19T08:07:34Z")
Yes Microsoft does this. Your OP doesn’t say whether you father purchased this software. But I guess that isn’t relevant to your GQ question. ---
**Author:** ![chicken\_wire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@chicken\_wire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chicken_wire)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/3 "2009-03-19T08:17:47Z")
Purchased? Probably not. Was given a version covered by a valid multi licence agreement? Maybe. I think it’s entirely possible that his version of Windows is less squeaky clean than MS would like. I don’t know that he could afford to buy another licence from them at the moment in any case. As you probably gathered, I’m more worried about this trouble _not_ being from Microsoft. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/4 "2009-03-19T11:08:03Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > Yes Microsoft does this. Really? My understanding is that if the validation fails, you have 30 days to fix it, or else XP won’t start up. If it’s been running for six months, isn’t that a pretty good demonstration that it **has** been validated? ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/5 "2009-03-19T11:22:41Z")
> [@Keeve](#): > > Really? My understanding is that if the validation fails, you have 30 days to fix it, or else XP won’t start up. This is not true. Windows will continue to run, though [MS claims it will be in a “reduced functionality mode”:](http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/ProgramInfo.aspx?displaylang=en&sGuid=b5e4d1f3-f5b7-4199-9a85-578a6f16177c) > [@](#): > > Activation is an anti-piracy technology designed to make sure that the proper product key is being properly used with the software license associated with it. All editions and distributions of Windows Vista, including those obtained through a volume license program, are required to complete activation within the first 30 days of using Windows Vista. Because activation is required, failure to activate will result in the system being placed in a reduced functionality mode. [From the MS FAQ](http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/faq.aspx?displaylang=en&sGuid=b5e4d1f3-f5b7-4199-9a85-578a6f16177c): > [@](#): > > Q: What will the WGA Notifications experience be for non-genuine Windows users? > > A: Customers found to be using non-genuine versions of Windows will receive a message during logon that their copy of Windows appears to be non-genuine and will be directed to the WGA Web site to learn more. Users who choose not to obtain a copy of genuine Windows will receive periodic reminders. Upon login, the desktop wallpaper will be replaced with a plain black background. The user may reset the background to a wallpaper or another background color, but every 60 minutes, the desktop will be reset to a plain black color until the copy of Windows passes validation. In addition, a persistent notification will appear in the lower right corner of the desktop. Regardless of genuine status, users will not be denied access to critical security updates. Users who have not validated their computers as genuine, however, will not be able to install many updates, including Windows Defender. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/6 "2009-03-19T12:55:53Z")
Thanks very much for that info! (My opinion of Microsoft has now gone up a notch. I am impressed that they will allow a non-Genuine version to run at all, even as nagware. This somewhat softens their image as greedy dictators.) ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/7 "2009-03-19T12:56:57Z")
I don’t know what response might ensue, but I believe Microsoft might pick up on things like a certain multi-licence key being used too many places, or in a too weird pattern, and flag it as stolen/distributed. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/8 "2009-03-19T13:38:05Z")
The validation tool is required for you to use updates. It adds a noticeable slow down of the start on an older system. I only have legitimate OS keys on my system so I can’t tell you beyond that it will let you know your license is suspect. Call them and they will issue you a new Key so this goes away permanently if he has a legitimate copy. Tell him to buy a license if he needs to. I do remove the validation programs from start up between uses of update, because of the lag it introduces in my start up while it compares my Keys to known problem Keys. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2009, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/9 "2009-03-19T13:53:22Z")
Microsoft also has (or at least did at one time) a “Stool Pigeon” program: If you tell them where you obtained a non-genuine version of the OS, they’ll give you a heavily reduced rate on a properly-licensed version. ---
**Author:** ![chicken\_wire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@chicken\_wire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chicken_wire)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/10 "2009-03-20T01:04:38Z")
Found out what happened, in part at least. Dad rang MS today, and ended up coughing for a new licence. Seems the old licence was legit, but it was some kind of commercial licence that expired recently. Cost him $200+ AUD (didn’t know he had it in him). They should really make a stripped down, idiot proof Operating System for Luddite technophobes like my dad. There’s no way in hell he should be allowed to have charge of anything running Windows. Sure, he shouldn’t be denied access to the interwebs and shit, but he shouldn’t be able to install dreck like Incredimail or operate without any anti-virus software. He’ll ruin us all, mark my words… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/11 "2009-03-20T02:30:19Z")
Next time, you could always consider some flavor of Linux. Put Firefox and OpenOffice on it and he might not even notice the difference. Frees him from all the malware problems, too. ---
**Author:** ![chicken\_wire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@chicken\_wire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chicken_wire)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/12 "2009-03-20T05:56:19Z")
It’s tempting, but I know even less about Linux than I do about Windows. I’m more of a Mac user these days. Dad would do fine on a Mac, once he got the hang of it. Macs are dear, but. And there’s the whole sovereignty thing, he might not take well to having a solution imposed upon him. And I don’t relish trying to teach him anything at all. I worry about my own level of I.T. competence, and I’m probably of average or slightly above ability. Other less savvy people are just plain scary. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_Dubinsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dbc845/32.png) [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/13 "2009-03-20T06:13:10Z")
> [@Keeve](#): > > T (My opinion of Microsoft has now gone up a notch. I am impressed that they will allow a non-Genuine version to run at all, even as nagware. This somewhat softens their image as greedy dictators.) Yes, they’re better than _Apple_, but it’s also to their advantage. Besides the bad PR waging a true war on piracy would cause, it’s actually in Microsoft’s interests for people to use free copies of Windows. It’s better than them switching to Linux. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/14 "2009-03-20T06:19:54Z")
> [@chicken\_wire](#): > > It’s tempting, but I know even less about Linux than I do about Windows. Thing is, if he doesn’t have any strange hardware or software needs (and it sounds like he doesn’t), then Ubuntu should be just as straightforward to install and use as Windows. My Ubuntu installation recognized virtually all my hardware immediately, and basically everything worked right out of the box. The only extra stuff i needed was a driver for my printer (very easy to install) and for my dual monitors (a bit more complicated, but i imagine this won’t be an issue for your dad). Once you fire it up, it’s completely easy to use Firefox and Open Office the same way that you do on Windows. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/15 "2009-03-20T06:26:24Z")
> [@Keeve](#): > > Thanks very much for that info! (My opinion of Microsoft has now gone up a notch. I am impressed that they will allow a non-Genuine version to run at all, even as nagware. This somewhat softens their image as greedy dictators.) Well, to keep their image intact, the fact is that many (most?) of the installations identified as ‘non-Genuine’ are in fact legally purchased copies of the software. The WGA software to identify non-Genuine copies is just as buggy as any other Microsoft product, and frequently wrong. If they made a legally purchased copy of XP stop working, due to their error in WGA software, there would likely be legal consequences. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/16 "2009-03-20T07:14:15Z")
> [@Keeve](#): > > Thanks very much for that info! (My opinion of Microsoft has now gone up a notch. I am impressed that they will allow a non-Genuine version to run at all, even as nagware. This somewhat softens their image as greedy dictators.) Don’t be a sap. t-bonham has it nailed. I coughed up 150 for the student version, from Target a few years back. It seems that every application that I want to run requires me to download some new feature from the Internet. This is after I went online with their marvellous key code. They now have the Validation box popping up every time that I power up, telling me that I may not have genuine Windows junk. I went online afterwards, following the link provided, and it wasn’t very enlightening. I don’t know what mischief will happen next. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/17 "2009-03-20T11:58:31Z")
> [@Alex\_Dubinsky](#): > > Yes, they’re better than _Apple_, but it’s also to their advantage. Besides the bad PR waging a true war on piracy would cause, it’s actually in Microsoft’s interests for people to use free copies of Windows. It’s better than them switching to Linux. Better than Apple in terms of activation how? AFAIK Apple has NO serial numbers or activation on copies of OS X. There’s a hardware check to make sure it doesn’t run on non-Apple hardware, but that’s not quite the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/18 "2009-03-20T17:22:27Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Well, to keep their image intact, the fact is that many (most?) of the installations identified as ‘non-Genuine’ are in fact legally purchased copies of the software. I’m interested if you have a cite for this; it bears on a discussion I was having recently with someone. ---
**Author:** ![bagga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@bagga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bagga)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/19 "2009-03-20T17:32:54Z")
> [@Alex\_Dubinsky](#): > > It’s actually in Microsoft’s interests for people to use free copies of Windows. It’s better than them switching to Linux. Now that’s an interesting thought. ---
**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003/20 "2009-03-20T22:40:41Z")
Like a few others, I’m running Windows XP, using everything that came pre-installed on the laptop I bought brand new. Several months ago I started getting this warning that my version may not be genuine. I just click “resolve later” and go about my business. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/genuine-windows-bullshit-does-what-now/490003.md?page=2)