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[winjer]

First off, let's remember that officially, MS does state in their license agreement, that piracy is illegal. So do not take this as an excuse for Piracy. And remember it is ILLEGAL.
Also consider that some of the illegal activators for MS products have been compromised in the past, resulting in people getting their PCs infected.
So pirating Windows, not only is illegal, but it can also be very dangerous.

Former Microsoft employee pedals Windows 11 piracy, says Microsoft does not care

Microsoft does not care if you pirate Windows 11. At least, that is what a former employee pedaling Windows piracy on X says.

www.neowin.net

There is an ex-Microsoft employee doing the rounds on X about how Microsoft does not care about people pirating its operating systems, such as Windows 10 and 11. In a series of posts on X, @Barnacules shares the trivia about activating Windows 11 and 10 using unauthorized KMS servers (a big no-no and a violation of the license agreement).

For those unaware, KMS stands for Key Management Service, and it is tech that Microsoft uses for volume activation of various products in enterprise environments. For example, companies use authorized KMS servers to activate Windows and Office products for their systems. Regular consumers, on the other hand, use standard activation keys that can be purchased through authorized retailers or some shady places (which, according to the author, also do not bother Microsoft despite frequent reports).

However, piracy is still piracy, and it violates license agreements regardless of whether you have read them or not or what you think about Microsoft's modern approach to its operating system. And even though this sounds like a broken record, you risk falling victim to malware, ransomware, and all sorts of other digital STDs when pirating software. You also have no right to support, should you need it.

Here is a certified banger to remind everyone that "piracy. it's a crime!"

The curious part, is that he might be right. Microsoft has done little to nothing to crack down on these activators, some of which are on Github, which belongs to Microsoft.
Microsoft also doesn't take any action against third party key resellers, despite being a very grey area.
And finally, Microsoft has allowed people to upgrade their Windows key to newer versions of Windows, for quite a long time. I think my key was original for Windows 7, that I then upgrade to Windows 8, and then to Windows 10 and now to Windows 11.
It is still possible to buy Windows on stores and the MS official site, but with MS is also giving away free updates to newer versions.
So Microsoft might be more concerned about people turning off telemetry, or removing the Windows Store and Copilot, rather than piracy.

So what do you think, is Microsoft now just giving away Windows, in an unofficial way?
Are we no longer the clients, but rather the product, like that dev stated?

 

[Dacvak]

Lol at the Apple option, ya ass

I bought a few dozen Windows 8 keys for about $10 each back in the day, and they work through 11. So I’m not really sure what the pirated version of windows is like anymore.

 

[DKehoe]

I would figure they want as many people as possible in the Windows ecosystem.

 

[DeepEnigma]

I would figure they want as many people as possible in the Windows ecosystem.

Bingo, which is why they pushed the “free movement” for it. Even forcing those “free” upgrades at one time.

 

[Spyxos]

I thought win 11 is free? Atleat that what everyone was telling me. Still on win 10 here.

 

[demented waffle]

I won't steal their shit( I got it free from a reddit post this time), but I won't pay for being the product. I stream college sports from free streaming sites. I don't care. I'm the product, so why am I paying. Disney had a streaming package for SEC sports for like 20 bucks a month, of course FUBO sued them. I would've paid the 20 a month for that. Err well, I won't pay a lot I guess. lol

 

[Jinzo Prime]

First off, let's remember that officially, MS does state in their license agreement, that piracy is illegal. So do not take this as an excuse for Piracy. And remember it is ILLEGAL.
Also consider that some of the illegal activators for MS products have been compromised in the past, resulting in people getting their PCs infected.
So pirating Windows, not only is illegal, but it can also be very dangerous.

Former Microsoft employee pedals Windows 11 piracy, says Microsoft does not care

Microsoft does not care if you pirate Windows 11. At least, that is what a former employee pedaling Windows piracy on X says.

www.neowin.net

The curious part, is that he might be right. Microsoft has done little to nothing to crack down on these activators, some of which are on Github, which belongs to Microsoft.
Microsoft also doesn't take any action against third party key resellers, despite being a very grey area.
And finally, Microsoft has allowed people to upgrade their Windows key to newer versions of Windows, for quite a long time. I think my key was original for Windows 7, that I then upgrade to Windows 8, and then to Windows 10 and now to Windows 11.
It is still possible to buy Windows on stores and the MS official site, but with MS is also giving away free updates to newer versions.
So Microsoft might be more concerned about people turning off telemetry, or removing the Windows Store and Copilot, rather than piracy.

So what do you think, is Microsoft now just giving away Windows, in an unofficial way?
Are we no longer the clients, but rather the product, like that dev stated?

It never made since to me that MS would allow activation scripts on Github, which they own. I also don't know why free and open source projects continue to use Github when it's probably training an AI to replace them.

 

[Irobot82]

Steam OS can't come quick enough.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

I thought win 11 is free? Atleat that what everyone was telling me. Still on win 10 here.

No, Windows 11 is not free. Home is $139 and Pro is $199. It's just there are many ways to avoid paying that.

 

[Kilau]

You don’t even have to activate it, windows loses minor personalization features without activating.

 

[Blade2.0]

Normally you get paid when someone sells something of yours. So why are they making billions off my data while I get no cut?

 

[Trogdor1123]

No, Windows 11 is not free. Home is $139 and Pro is $199. It's just there are many ways to avoid paying that.

I downloaded 11 right from the Ms site to a usb key and installed it using their instructions around 6 months ago and I hadn’t had any issues. Even says it’s activated. That being said, I did own 7 and did the upgrade to 10 so maybe it tied to my account? Oddly, my kids windows 10 pc says it’s not activated and it won’t activate even with a key I bought… but her sisters works just fine (different keys). It’s weird.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

For Windows, I've never bought it. Whatever comes with my new PC I just milk that and whatever free updates it gets. I dont see why anyone even needs to update to the latest Windows unless there's some fancy features you need to use older versions dont have.

For Office, looks like MS changed the corporate discounts to a new 30% off deal.

But it used to be a HUP program where people could buy a copy of MS Professional for $15. Did it twice the past decade or so. I'll milk my copy of MS Office Professional Plus 2019 as long as possible. Why pirate when you could get it dirt cheap. The first time was I think Office 2010 that came on a DVD fulfilled by Best Buy! I probably still got it somewhere. But the 2019 version was a download.

 

[EverydayBeast]

Same os that comes pre installed? There’s advantages and disadvantages to windows over ios.

 

[LordCBH]

They want to force push copilot to you, feed you ads through every possible facet of the OS, and constantly give you the “Complete Windows Setup by signing up for 365” screen after every update. Of course they don’t care if you pirate the OS anymore.
They don’t care about selling a $99 activation key in the world of endless ads. They only still sell a key because they know some people will pay for the privilege of being served ads and an OS going through near constant enshittification.

 

[BlackTron]

I've been saying "you are now the product" IRL ever since people were beaming at being offered 10 for free. How long ago was that now, over a decade? We've been the product.

 

[BlackTron]

There’s advantages and disadvantages to windows over ios.

Deep.

 

[a multicultural team of v]

The KMS servers are pretty crazy, I had to install Office 2013 (no damn idea what product key they used probably 10 years ago) on a new PC I got my parents and all it took was typing a single line in PowerShell. Even the iso was downloaded directly from a Microsoft server.

I don't think they care because they want you to use their products at home so that you demand their products at work.

 

[poppabk]

They have been giving it away for ever. My windows 11 license started as a Vista license on a completely different system.
Think he is overselling the telemetry stuff, the products are the office 365, one drive, gamepass, etc.
They also sell windows to OEM's and businesses, you don't want to be a business and be caught wholesale pirating windows.

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

People are not even installing Windows 11 for free.

 

[bitbydeath]

They’d have to pay me to use Windows.
It is rubbish.

 

[El Muerto]

They just want the data, that's how companies make their money now and people are too dumb to realize how much our data is worth.

If you need to activate windows use this. I've been using this guide to activate win10 and now win11. Works great and it sticks unlike a kms activator. Havent had any issues.

Easy ways to activate Windows 11 for FREE without a product key

Jerry Nixon, a senior software development engineer at Microsoft, stated that version 10 is the last one of Windows at the Ignite conference 2015. What he said convinced many that doing an upgrade is…

msguides.com

 

[DrFigs]

microsoft wants to keep their near monopoly on selling windows to businesses. they make way more money on that, i'd imagine.

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

I mean

 

[Syphon Filter]

No, Windows 11 is not free. Home is $139 and Pro is $199. It's just there are many ways to avoid paying that.

w11 is free, they just lock a few things if you dont "buy" it.

 

[IntentionalPun]

One ex employees “IMHO.”

 

[Sonik]

That's like saying trojan horses are free. Of course they are

 

[HAYA8U5A]

 

[MikeM]

Don’t they basically give it away for free? The one you install off their site limits you with a watermark background (perhaps there are other limits?).

 

[Boss Mog]

KMS servers are a shitty way to authenticate Windows and are potentially dangerous. You can buy a legit unique key for a couple of bucks and forgo the connecting to some random server.

 

[Boss Mog]

I thought win 11 is free? Atleat that what everyone was telling me. Still on win 10 here.

It's a free upgrade if you have windows 10 which was a free upgrade if you had windows 7.

 

[Ownage]

Buy legit, bona fide keys for cheap and get them authorized. Most folks on GAF know where to get them.

The end.

 

[Ownage]

One ex employees “IMHO.”

Home slice didn't get his annual bonus, thus his social media posts.

 

[Dr.D00p]

Lol..Windows is now so bad I wouldn't dignify it with piracy as that implies it's something people want.

 

[Laptop1991]

Yeah because we don't have the same control over Windows we use to have in previous version's which is what they want, and who would pay for Windows when it just does what it want's lol, i still use 7 as well as 10 because of that very reason, they keep fucking up the gaming as well regularly lol

 

[MMaRsu]

I've been saying "you are now the product" IRL ever since people were beaming at being offered 10 for free. How long ago was that now, over a decade? We've been the product.

Ok, but Windows offers me convenience.

So why should it matter.

You are the product for every service under the moon basically.

 

[MMaRsu]

They just want the data, that's how companies make their money now and people are too dumb to realize how much our data is worth.

If you need to activate windows use this. I've been using this guide to activate win10 and now win11. Works great and it sticks unlike a kms activator. Havent had any issues.

Easy ways to activate Windows 11 for FREE without a product key

Jerry Nixon, a senior software development engineer at Microsoft, stated that version 10 is the last one of Windows at the Ignite conference 2015. What he said convinced many that doing an upgrade is…

msguides.com

Too dumb? Most people honestly do not care dude.

 

[IntentionalPun]

Home slice didn't get his annual bonus, thus his social media posts.

Well he left MS and according to his bio shipped XP and 10, so wasn’t on the team for 11.

“Microsoft hasn’t stopped these piracy methods so therefore doesn’t care about piracy” is just a little much for me.

 

[Trogdor1123]

Corporate sales are where the money is at anyways. If they get everyone to use it, the companies are more likely to use it too

 

[AJUMP23]

MS wants to sell you a product and you are the consumer. They also want to sell your data, you are the product. They make more money selling data than selling the OS. But they sell services.

 

[adamsapple]

I mean

Considering the amount of streams, youtube videos etc have that not-activated watermark, doesn't look like this is anything new or anyone has cared for a while.

 

[diffusionx]

Checks out. I bought a Windows 10 license legit almost 10 years ago and am on Windows 11 without spending another cent. In the past you had to pay for new versions. So obviously they don’t care about this revenue stream anymore.

 

[ChuckeRearmed]

Do they even get that much money from user installation? OEMs pay them and most of the funding comes from enterprise.

 

[IntentionalPun]

MS wants to sell you a product and you are the consumer. They also want to sell your data, you are the product. They make more money selling data than selling the OS. But they sell services.

Except for the part where they don’t sell data.

 

[Drew1440]

Just imagine if Microsoft went full Nintendo on pirated copies of Windows and Office, we might not be in the worst timeline after all.

 

[AJUMP23]

Except for the part where they don’t sell data.

Sorry I just assumed they did. Most companies do.

 

[Kvally]

All Apple, All The Time here.

 

[Insane Metal]

This is why I uh... nevermind.

Spoiler

My W11 came installed on my laptop.

 

[Muffdraul]

Reminds me of this situation that blew my mind about 15 years ago... I was the '3rd Party Software Manager' at a major animation studio. Most of the software used in production was 1st party, written by our own software engineers. Anything that came from outside was purchased and managed by me.

At some point it was decided that every single person in production who had a Windows machine would need Quicktime Pro. I went to Apple's Volume Licensing website to get a quote for qty 2000 Quicktime Pro Windows licenses. Quicktime Pro didn't appear on the list of products available under Volume Licensing. I assumed this was a mistake and called Apple. They said no, not a mistake, they didn't do VL for Quicktime. Ergo, the only way to buy Quicktime Pro for Windows was to buy it from the Apple Store via credit card, one license at a time. We weren't going to do that, but I had to give an update to production every couple of weeks. My superiors basically told me, "Apple will do it for us as a one-off, you just have to keep bugging them, be a pain in their ass, wear them down." So I was calling Apple's licensing dept at least once a week, pestering them about setting up a special volume license deal for us. They were stubborn but I was persistent, and they slowly pushed me up their ladder, until after several months I was talking to Apple's "vice president of licensing" or something similar. Someone way up the totem pole I would normally never get to talk to. I said to him, "We have to do this, it's part of our pipeline. We already installed the software on all the machines, we just need to do a true-up purchase. But we can't do 2000 individual credit card purchases, it's just not feasible. I don't understand why you guys won't just do a one-off volume purchase so we can both forget about it. It'd be a disaster if I had to order them all to be uninstalled now." He said, "It's because Quicktime is far below the capital level for it to be worth it to us. It's too cheap. Just to send a blank sheet of paper through Legal and Business Affairs costs tens of thousands of dollars, we're just not gonna do it for something we sell for 30 bucks a pop. And frankly, we're thinking about abandoning Quicktime in the next few years. Look... I can't give you this in writing, so don't ask... but if your guys really need Quicktime Pro on those machines, just go ahead and install it and forget about it. We don't care. You could send us a letter on your studio's letterhead, you could address it to Steve Jobs, a letter saying 'Hey Apple, guess what, we just installed ten million Quicktime licenses and we're not paying for them, ha ha ha fuck you,' and that letter would go straight into our trash, because we wouldn't care. Install it, use it, keep it, we seriously don't care."

 

[ReBurn]

Lol at the Apple option, ya ass

I bought a few dozen Windows 8 keys for about $10 each back in the day, and they work through 11. So I’m not really sure what the pirated version of windows is like anymore.

Seriously. Every time I've needed a Windows key I've just purchased an OEM key from a key site For 15 or 20 bucks. But even then, MS doesn't seriously nerf casual use if you don't activate. You can get used to the nag watermark pretty quickly.

For throwaway VM's I just use a snapshot of an activated install and create a copy every time I need to stand one up. Never had a problem.

Charging consumers for an OS is such an outdated concept and they know it. That's why they don't charge for upgrades. Keep making the corpos pay by all means.