17 AUG 2015

WINDOWS 10 CAN SEARCH FOR AND DISABLE PIRATED GAMES

BY MATT PORTERAn update to Microsoft's End User License Agreement allows Windows 10 to remotely disable counterfeit software or hardware on your computer.

Alphr first spotted the change which came into effect on August 1. Section 7b of the EULA states that Microsoft may "automatically check your version of the software and download software update or configuration changes, including those that prevent you from accessing the Services, playing counterfeit games, or using unauthorised hardware peripheral devices."

source

Considering the low prices for games today, it's stupid to do piracy. But I guess there will be a workaround to this issue as well :).

I am interested to know how it does that. Like does it scan ur system for games and versions or is it limited to say the games u buy from the windows store? And is it limited to MS software or other ones as well? I want to see where this is headed cause if it scans ur entire system for programs u have installed, that is a huge privacy issue

I am also wondering if you can stop the auto updates for things like that by using the group policy trick since you can use that to stop windows from updating altogether?

Either ways, I am getting a bit ehhed right now with some of the news. I am sure the hackers will find a way to block a lot of these things though. We will see where this thing lands

Edit:

So apparently, but quote me if I am wrong, the things that MS can disable and etc are limited to MS services!

"Sometimes you’ll need software updates to keep using the Services. We may automatically check your version of the software and download software updates or configuration changes, including those that prevent you from accessing the Services, playing counterfeit games, or using unauthorized hardware peripheral devices. You may also be required to update the software to continue using the Services. Such updates are subject to these Terms unless other terms accompany the updates, in which case, those other terms apply. Microsoft isn’t obligated to make any updates available and we don’t guarantee that we will support the version of the system for which you licensed the software."

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement/?s=ecym#serviceslist

And here are the services it is limited to:



Which to me is fine if it really is the case since all those are Microsoft applications/programs but lets see where it ends up at

this is why Windows 10 is for free to push some BS policies, its like during the Don Matrick era if MS would give us an Xbox One for free to Xbox 360 Owner but still would have all these BS DRM policies. I am still sticking to Windows 7 and switch to Linux, this makes MS OS now the inferior Version.
I am not a pirate but if they do this whats next?

Will they release a patch for Sea of Thieves?

I think it's wrong to pirate games, and you really shouldn't do it. That said, this still isn't okay.

To draw a comparison, it might be illegal to steal stuff, but that doesn't mean it's okay for cops to search everyone's houses for stolen stuff all the time at will.

I personally don't pirate a whole lot, but I do feel pretty indifferent about this in general.

In the end, piracy is still technically illegal, so I can't be too mad at MS for doing this.

I get the feeling something could go wrong with this.

As long as it never disables the wrong thing (unlikely)....then great!

AH HA! I knew there was a catch to the 'free upgrade' even for 'pirated versions' loll