[GUIDE] How should I get windows? Pirate, buy a key, buy from Microsoft? [GUIDE]

How should I get windows? Pirate, buy a key, buy from Microsoft?

People have been asking this question a lot recently, so I decided to put together an answer you can link to people.

You have three options.


1) Pirate it

Pro: Free
Con: You're ripping off Microsoft

Pirating windows is extremely easy and there won't be a difference for you between a pirated key, and a legitimately obtained one.

2) Buy from a re-seller

Pro: Cheap
Con: You're ripping off Microsoft

Getting a key from a re-seller is simple, and there won't be a difference for you between a re-seller key, and a legitimately obtained one.

This is probably the worst option. Because pirating is easier and cheaper, and buying a key from Microsoft is more honest.

3) Purchase legitimately from Microsoft

Pro: You're not ripping off Microsoft
Con: Can be $100+

Getting a legitimate key from Microsoft is extremely easy, and for some the ethical way to go about it.

This is the best option if you're opposed to ripping off Microsoft.

 

Should we really be endorsing the pirating of Windows?

 

I don't believe I've endorsed anything. I've just laid out common options.

Better to have it explained than get repeat questions.

 

Does the pirating come with other cons such as future compatibility, updates and certain program verification?

I'm unaware, so asking. I've personally got a legitimate key for 7 ultimate.

 

Nope, not to my knowledge. It tricks the software into thinking its genuine, so you receive software updates and programs view it as genuine as well.

A con of pirating is many 'cracks' you find through google are just malware, so if you're not looking in the right place it can be a bad idea.

 

Typically Windows cracks WAT to prevent authentication. It doesn't "trick" the OS so much as it fully just doesn't let it contact the auth servers. Microsoft gives a 30 day trial on all versions of Windows, so when you use a tool like RemoveWAT, your trial is essentially extended indefinitely. This trial is the full OS so you wouldn't notice a difference.

The only real con is for businesses. If you get caught with an illegitimate key on a business machine, you're fucked.

 

Daz Loader, that is all.

 

KMS activator Wut?

 

From what I've heard, you can pirate Windows 8.1, and then it asks you if you want the free upgrade to Windows 10. As in, the legitimate copy. I'm not sure if Microsoft have done this on purpose or not though.