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In a bid to deter people from using pirate versions of Windows, Microsoft is now updating its Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) tool to introduce a few uncomfortable niggles for users of pirated versions of Windows.

On the WGA blog, Microsoft explains that if a copy of Windows fails the validation process ‘users will discover on their next logon that their desktop has changed to a plain black background from whatever was there previously.’ You’ll be able to change the background back to whatever you want, but it will revert to a black screen again after an hour. As well as this, copies of Windows deemed to not be genuine will also have a translucent watermark above the system tray, which Microsoft calls a ‘persistent desktop notification.’

According to the blog, the scheme will be ‘focusing on the product edition that is most often stolen,’ which is apparently Windows XP Pro. Users of this OS, according to Microsoft, have ‘the highest likelihood of having a non-genuine copy.’

While it’s fair to say that any hardened pirate could happily survive this anti-piracy wrist-slap without giving in and buying Windows, the persistent watermark could become an embarrassment for businesses using pirate copies of Windows. Some sites have also suggested that this is a sneaky scheme to get more people to buy Windows Vista after disappointing sales of the new OS, particularly as retail versions of Windows XP aren’t as readily available as copies of Vista.

 

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