Original or a pirated version of Windows??

I'm looking at picking up a new PC, and I'm torn: should I grab an official copy of Windows or just go with one of those pre-loaded, pirated versions? People seem to swear by the "pre-installed" route, so I'm skeptical.

Basically, what are the actual pros and cons of buying legitimate Windows versus using a cracked version??

It’s all the same thing in the end—just some template used to stamp out the original
so why on earth are you actually paying for it?
I mean, surely you could just snag one from a buddy or something?

I haven't picked one up yet, but I can grab it easily enough. Right now, I’m running Windows XP Professional from 2001, which feels ancient at this point. I actually tried installing Internet Explorer 7 a while back, but it was a total headache because it kept demanding a license key I had to hunt down online. I gave it a shot, but the site was filled with nothing but endless, stupid questions about how I got my pirated CD and a bunch of other nonsense. Honestly, I’m thinking of just skipping the games and buying an original copy of Windows 2007 since I'm putting together a new PC anyway.
So, here is what I'm wondering, as I've asked before:
What are the actual pros and cons when comparing genuine Windows versions versus those pirated ones??

Windows 2007? 🤔

There’s really no need for all that philosophical debate—with a legitimate copy of Windows, you aren't constantly fighting against various security workarounds or cracks, whereas with illegal versions, you often find yourself stuck in that exact loop. Honestly, it just seems more practical and decent to simply purchase Windows—or whatever operating system you prefer—especially since, if you're doing it right, you probably only make a purchase like that once every five years or so.
But then again, I suppose the question remains: why would anyone bother buying software if we don't actually have to? 🙄

The real deal costs money, while the knockoffs are free. The last official release for XP was back in 2002, and SP3 is basically the final update they ever pushed out.

Just scour the web for an XP ISO, download it, and get to work. Just make sure you grab a clean version—stay far away from those sketchy black or red editions, they're garbage.
XP SP3.

Bradley Ramirez5 said:Windows 2007? 🤔

You just don't have that mindset—with legitimate Windows, you aren't constantly fighting through workarounds for security stuff, whereas with pirated versions, you sometimes have to. I mean, it’d be the right thing to do, honestly, to just buy Windows or whatever OS you need, especially since you probably only make that purchase once every five years or so.
But then again, why would anyone bother buying something if they don't strictly have to? 🙄

I mean, personally, I think everyone should at least have a legal OS, if nothing else.
But man, who’s actually gonna drop $233 on Windows XP or maybe $200 for Vista given how much everything costs right now?

I realize our purchasing power isn't exactly what it used to be, but it honestly pains me to see guys dropping eight or ten grand on top-tier graphics cards and high-end rigs, only to immediately go and fry their Windows installation. I mean, if you’re spending that kind of money, surely you can spare a few bucks every couple of years to do things right...

It reminds me of those people who carry around a flagship Nokia, yet still rely on prepaid minutes. 🙄

What’s the price tag on those ExxonMobil versions, or whatever they're called these days...

I’d suggest going with Windows XP SP3. Obviously, I'm talking about an unofficial version, but you just have to generate a key for the unit during installation and you're set. I’ve been using it for over five years now. I wipe the system constantly and everything always works perfectly—it feels fully licensed. If you can't manage that, try going through the Department of Education to see if they'll provide the Windows license you need for school. Or just ask one of your professors; if you're still a student, schools often provide them for free or at least a 50% discount.

David Price5 said:How much do those ExxonMobil versions cost, or whatever they're called now...

ExxonMobil 🙏 🙏

The Windows Vista Home Basic OEM version is available $247 (Micronis link), while Ultimate is also an option $527.

You can pick up Microsoft Office for $148 (Micronis link).

Mark Lewis4 said:I realize our purchasing power isn't exactly huge, but seeing guys drop thousands on top-tier graphics cards and high-end rigs just to run pirated versions of Windows makes me sick. If you can't spare maybe a hundred bucks every few years after all that, then honestly...

It reminds me of people carrying around a high-end Nokia, yet they're still scraping by on prepaid minutes. 🙄

whats your point??!!
well, I wouldn't give them $1.75 for legitimate Windows software if I could just download it from the internet for $35

And what’s the current going rate for Windows XP?

Mobile games are awesome

casualmarlin3 said:I’d say just go with Windows XP SP3—unofficial, obviously. You just have to hunt down the right product key during the install process and you're golden. I've been using mine for over five years now; I wipe the system constantly and everything still runs perfectly, totally licensed once you're set up. If you can't do that, maybe try going through the Department of Education to see if they'll provide the OS you need for school, or just ask one of your professors. If you're still a student, some colleges might give it to you for free or at least a 50% discount.

Exactly this. As long as you find the right XP SP3 version, everything works great. I actually made an image of my dad's old machine and I've installed it countless times. Even Windows Update works fine this way, so there's really nothing to worry about.

Drew Smith said:What are you even trying to say?!!
I wouldn't give them a dime $1.75 for new Windows licenses if I could just download everything myself from the web for $35

If you aren't grasping my point—which I believe I’ve laid out quite clearly—then I suppose there isn't much more I can do for you. Perhaps some government agencies could help. ☕

So, here’s my own experience from about five months back...
I picked up a PC at Best Buy and it came bundled with Windows Vista Home Basic for around $267... then, after hanging out with it for two months, I decided to just grab the upgrade to Ultimate online straight from Microsoft for $200.
Honestly, if you're looking to score Vista Ultimate, that's probably one of the cheaper ways to make it happen.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1202650464531

Man, if we had prices like this here in the States, I’d probably just grab one without even thinking twice about it...

darkviper7 said:http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1202650464531

If prices were this low here in the States, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

And honestly, who wouldn't? All we can do is hope.

If you're hunting for an XP image, I’d suggest this one: en_windows_xp_professional_with_service_pack_3_x86 _cd_vl_x14-73974.iso
As for Vista, go with this: en_windows_vista_with_service_pack_1_x86_dvd_x14-29594.iso

I can hook you up with an XP Home license if you want.

$33 And I'll throw in some 😁
too.