Microsoft ups notices to XP pirates

By Gregg Keizer

September 1, 2008 12:00 PM ET

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Computerworld - Microsoft Corp. said it is updating one of its antipiracy tools to take a harder line against users fingered for running bogus copies of Windows XP Professional.

Alex Kochis, senior product manager for Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage antipiracy program, said in a blog post that the changes to the WGA Notifications software bring XP Pro in line with Windows Vista Service Pack 1.

For example, suspected counterfeit copies of XP Pro will now display a black desktop at start-up and revert to black after an hour if the background is changed. In addition, a permanent notice urging users to buy legitimate copies will appear in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.

Previously, WGA was limited in XP to showing a nag message at log-on and periodic secondary notices that popped up in small balloons.

This version of the story originally appeared in Computerworld's print edition.

Read more about operating systems in Computerworld's Operating Systems Knowledge Center.

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