IE 7 Update No Longer Requires WGA Validation
Microsoft has announced that the new update for Internet Explorer 7 no longer requires Windows Genuine Advantage validation. This means that users with pirated copies of Windows XP will be able to download the latest IE 7 from Microsoft’s site (assuming they haven’t already downloaded it from somewhere else 
).
Microsoft Program Manager, Steve Reynolds, had this to say on the official announcement:
Because Microsoft takes its commitment to help protect the entire Windows ecosystem seriously, we’re updating the IE7 installation experience to make it available as broadly as possible to all Windows users. With today’s “Installation and Availability Update,” Internet Explorer 7 installation will no longer require Windows Genuine Advantage validation and will be available to all Windows XP users.
At first glance, this would seem like hardcore tactics to erase Firefox from the picture. Another possibility, is that Microsoft is trying to find out how many people use pirated copies of Windows XP.
Me suspicious? Heh. 
Technorati Tags: Tech News, Internet Explorer 7, Microsoft
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October 6th, 2007 01:21
I remember when IE7 1st came out. I didn’t want it on mt computer. They make it such a pain and try to force down your throat. I have never used IE7! LOL
October 6th, 2007 01:34
@Bobby:
Haven’t used it either. Probably never will
October 6th, 2007 01:58
Good! At least pirates now have one less job to do
October 6th, 2007 02:01
@Haris:
Arr Matey
October 6th, 2007 16:30
Is it just me or is the latest version of Firefox buggy? I hate IE and hope to dear god I will never have to use it but my Firefox is killing me.
October 6th, 2007 16:50
Really a good new for all pirates
looks like Microsoft is feeling the Firefox heat
October 6th, 2007 19:24
You`re nor suspicious, in fact you are but to late.
MS know allmost the exact figure of pirated copies.
Think just 2 low quality elements :
- When XP showed up, in a certain december, here both XP versions were allready available on pirated cds. Maybe 2 weeks or allmost before official launch.
- While MSGA require a extra check before downloading something, well known the MS concern to limit piracy, once a pc running MS-OS is online on web, nothing couldn`t stop XP or any other OS to notify somebody that IP xxxxxxxxxx, runing the MAC xxxxxx, OS xxx(original, fake) with xxxx browser …etc.
Man, do you feel safe behind a nickname and your screen ?
October 6th, 2007 19:38
@Lisa:
Firefox does have problems with memory leaks. I just hope they fix it with the next release.
@Shashank:
I agree buddy
@Valentin:
Safe? Only when I’m dreaming
October 6th, 2007 20:23
All my old computer show PCs always had pirated windows put on them. Luckily for me I have my very own computer tech at home now who can build these things for me in a legal way when I need him to.
After all, I went through the whole painful giving birth to his children thing, so he kind of owes me.
October 6th, 2007 22:11
Brown it will be a great news for those running pirated XP copies.I think its a microsoft strategy to try to negate the advantage that Firefox is getting.For me its always Firefox though
Cheers
Abhishek
October 7th, 2007 00:27
@AntiBarbie:
He owes you big time. Just like I owe my wife
@abhishek:
I agree buddy
October 8th, 2007 00:19
I think they did to encourage more people to use IE 7 .
October 8th, 2007 00:58
@Madhur:
.
At least IE 7 is a big improvement over older versions
I’ll stick with Firefox though hehe
October 8th, 2007 01:56
Looks like microsoft is more concerned about the increasing market share of Firefox, may be that is the reason they chose to make IE7 available for pirated copies also.
October 8th, 2007 02:01
@Shivaranjan:
I think you’re right about that