Hi,
all illegal Windows XP users WILL NOT be able to download any updates or software from Microsoft website.
Automatic Updates will no longer work, because Microsoft will have to ask for your Software identification.

I never download updates. I just keep selecting the "Remind me Tomorrow" option. Do the updates really do anything significant? Are they worthless, or should I start downloading them?

Well, YEAH!
You better start updating now because one of the most important reasons Microsoft is releasing updates is because Windows is hackable, so every update changes your system information, so that nobody will be able to hack.
The updates also include bug fixes and additional security.

It's generally possible to get the updates without using the Automatic Update feature. I don't bother getting the updates at all, though.

You should always keep Windows up-to-date. Most of these will patch up the security flaws discovered in Windows. Others, like upgrading to XP SP2, will provide newer security features like the much improved Windows Firewall.

This is old news Microsoft started doing this with the release of XP, then started perfecting with Service Pack 1, Service Pack 1a, & finally Service Pack 2.

Yeah But i dont think so frenz.!I had installed windows which was pirated.! well i tried updates ... it rejected saying mine is pirated version,Then i looked up online for some way out.!
later i fount a new software which can register windows and make it legal ..! Actually it Changed my product registration Key and i got registered saying Activate by phone.! And have to enter a new key which they Provide.! Now im able to get all latest Downloads.! And never ever its detected as pirated software!
Also Frenz ... for every thing there is a crack... i dont think any software left which cannot be pirated.! All the hackers out there are more genious than many employes of software companies! If i was Bill gates i wud get hold of latest hackers and Plan making my software anti crack proof.! well that can be cracked too but sure will be more Crack proof than present scenario!

Well I dont support hacking and cracking,! But poor people have no way out but have to use Pirated ones.!

To all of those that say they don't mind with the updates please do me a favor. Click the start button > run, and type cmd, enter. From the command prompt type "ipconfig" and then enter again. Post your "ip address" for each adaptor back to this group. The ip should be in the form similar to "192.168.0.1". After you have done so I will consult with my friends over at http://www.astahost.com/security-issues-an...loits-f105.html and see if we can work something out

Of course I am joking but you are a moron if you don't update your machine. Moron in the nicest possible way of course.

As it turns out, I found out about the new serial security about 4-5 months ago when I tried to download a "free" microsoft trial product. You had to allow this ActiveX code to run before you could download. As it turns out it looked at my XP serial and found me to be in violation and shortly sent me to the anti-pirarcy page.

If you go to the IT side of the windows updates you can always download without hassle. Its just important that you check all the time as you will not get that pretty little notice in your system tray.

Don't be a moron, update!

Ok, there is only one problem with this. I'm not sure if you guys have ever used any of the Steinberg software (Mainly designed for music recording/mastering). Anyway, their latest range of software, uses some really extreme protection. It was assumed that it was so thorough, that it couldn't be cracked. To crack it, the crackers had to make an emulator for a dongle that comes with the product. If this dongle isn't inserted in your computer when you use the program, it terminates. Now the thing is, the crackers still cracked this (took a lot of time and effort mind you!) but the crazy thing is that this copy protection took up almost half the actual program. And where am I headed with this? Well, if the protection is taking up a majority of the software, wouldn't one assume that the program is going to take a hit from this and wouldn't that mean that it won't run as well as it could? I mean lets face it, even if Bill Gates did hire some extreme crackers, and then they make Windows Whatever almost bomb proof, crackers will still (eventually) find a way around it and eitherway who in their right mind would buy a product bogged down with such excessive protection? I know I wouldn't.

I'm hoping my copy doesn't get caught since its pro corporate and those keys all get used widely legally so... *crosses fingers* but either way all that happens is they are planning to shut down your ability to update and give you offers to buy a legal copy more cheaply, which in reality is good of them I guess.

Either way if you care enough you can get the updates without going thru windows updates, just find people who have posted or seeded or whatever the hotfix patches.