RIP pirated macOS versions

I just attempted to run a macOS update because, naturally, I have $420 to shell out if I want to buy legitimate software. Instead, I picked up a bootleg version for $6.75. To cut to the chase: if you're running an unlicensed OS, don't bother expecting updates anymore!
They really nailed the business model here. It’s obvious they view everything through the lens of profit margins, but honestly, couldn't they at least leave the critical security patches available for those of us using the off-brand versions?

Would you?

I mean, nobody’s actually complaining when companies do this with individual apps, but when we're talking about an OS, then it's 🙂 It’s pretty simple—you either go with free software or you expect people to pay for it.

Look, I agree that you have to charge for your product, but I think they’re overdoing it. For the average user in America—and I'm not talking about corporations here—it's frankly unthinkable to shell out $420 for legitimate Windows software when they can barely scrape together enough to buy a cheap machine.
The issue is that once a certain amount of time passes, computers without updated patches will likely become breeding grounds for all sorts of digital filth. I know things like Adware or Spybot exist, but I'm not sure how much those can actually stop the onslaught of malware. Personally, I'm one of those people who keeps their system genuinely tidy and regularly updated (at least, up until today).

So what’s the problem? At the very least, it should spark more conversations about smarter alternatives. 👍

Honestly, you just turn on automatic updates and everything works perfectly fine.😉

It was working perfectly fine just yesterday 😁
I finished installing Windows and ran every single update available!

It was functioning just fine yesterday, but as of this morning, it’s gone completely dead.

It's going to be 😉
again.

John Palmer4 said:So what’s the plan now? God help us, we're stuck with outdated Windows... it’s going to be absolute chaos. Once you lose the ability to run updates, everything starts breaking left and right everywhere you look. 😁

What’s really coming is this massive feeding frenzy over network filters—you know, firewalls—and before you know it, they’ll scrap all the free versions and start charging for everything, even just updating your antivirus software.

And honestly, what happens if I actually go out and buy Windows only to find out my serial number has already been used somewhere else? It’s like that mess people dealt with back when Half-Life 2 first dropped.

I haven't even updated my Windows yet,
I just can't be bothered—honestly, I'm feeling too lazy
😬

And what, say, would happen to those users who constantly tinker with their systems—you know, the ones frantically installing and uninstalling all sorts of random software and games every few months until they eventually have to wipe and reinstall Windows?
In other words, how many times would the good people at Microsoft tolerate the installation, activation, and registration... of legally purchased Windows licenses?

wiredcobra11 said:What about users who constantly mess with their systems? You know, the ones who spend every few months nuking their Windows installations because they’ve been frantically installing and uninstalling random software and games.
Basically, how many times would a decent company like Microsoft tolerate the constant cycle of installation, activation, and registration for legally purchased copies of Windows?

Users ought to know what to do to make things easier on themselves.

wiredcobra11 said:I mean, how many times would a decent company like Microsoft actually let you install, activate, and register legitimately purchased Windows software?

I’ve personally reinstalled my original XP Home at least 6 or 7 times after wiping my drive, and every single time it activates perfectly fine within a second or two.

Maybe they just recognize it's coming from the same IP address or something... I honestly have no clue.

Harold Sanchez67 said:I’ve reinstalled my original XP Home at least 6 or 7 times after wiping the drive—every single time it activates perfectly within a second or two.

Maybe they just recognize it's coming from the same IP address or something... honestly, who knows.

It only worked for me three times max. Pretty sure there's some kind of limit, like three tries every three months.

So, it’s July 28th and hey, it’s working perfectly for me 😁😁😁

The trick is just knowing how to swap out the serial key in Windows for one that isn't on the blacklist 😁😁😁

The update is glitching out on me too. But look, all you gotta do is swap the serial number through the registry in Windows. That’s it. Easy fix. 👋 👋

Another way to handle this is just install that ActiveX control, then immediately go into "manage add-ons" and kill it.