Is Your
XP or Server 2003 Legit?
The
above link will take you to Microsoft's home page where you can verify
the legitimacy of your license. It is very straight-forward and intuitive...
not to mention, informative. In Windows 2000 and XP, you can also check the "Help" menu of Explorer for the Is this copy of windows legal selection.
This
isn't the time or place for a morals talk on software piracy. The fact
is that Microsoft has begun utilizing a validation method that denies
downloads from a system using an invalid license key. And, that includes
those necessary updates. Running pirated versions of Windows will eventually
put a system in the position to be hit by spyware and viruses. Once
that happens, the stability of the machine cannot be guaranteed. Antivirus
software can easily be disabled. All data on that system could be damaged
or transferred to someone else without any evidence of accruing. This
is under a "Security" topic. But, one must consider the possibility
of loosing all the files (including emails) that have been created...
just from using a pirated Windows installation.
Any
system used in a legitimate business mode should be running properly
licensed software. If the software is helping the business derive income
(and hopefully a profit), then those software creators deserve to be
paid.
If
a business pays for a prebuilt system with an operating system and applications,
then that computer should come with discs and valid license keys. And
that goes beyond
In
the event that there is no disc or license key information, here is
a link to a website to obtain an application that can identify the Microsoft
licenses being used... www.MagicalJellyBean.com.
Look for the application called Key Finder.
Of
course, we will be happy to come out, if you need us to!
Last
Updated 10/31/2005
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