Thread: Windows 8 may have new anti-piracy

Microsoft through a pair of job postings has revealed that it's planning to implement new anti-piracy measures but also to keep its practice of arbitrarily different OS versions. An ad for a Senior Development Engineer would have the new recruit develop "new anti-hacking mechanisms" and drivers to prevent illegal copying. What it would involve isn't said, but it would affect every layer of the OS. The anti-piracy measures are partly expected but do point to the company still being unsatisfied with its existing anti-piracy steps. Windows 7 already checks for sudden, drastic changes in hardware and requires activation, and just last month added an update that periodically scans for known cracks to prevent modifications.

Simultaneously, a listing for a Senior Test Lead would put an employee in a Windows SKU team dedicated solely to determining which features should be reserved for different Windows versions. It doesn't provide any clues as to version changes, but by itself reveals that Microsoft will likely still have separate home and business versions of Windows.

Both the piracy and SKU policies would continue to contrast sharply against Mac OS X, which has just two editions and has no known anti-copying measures. Apple can implement its approach largely because it's the only source of officially supported computers and thus is guaranteed to sell Mac OS X with every new computer.

Little is known about what Windows 8 will offer as an improvement to 7, but Microsoft has dropped hints that it will take a very different approach and that it may be finished by summer 2011, just two years after its predecessor. [via Microsoft Kitchen]

Windows 8 may have new anti-piracy, old SKUs | Electronista

I've no doubt they will implement new forms of anti-piracy with the release of Windows 8.. It will be interesting to see how well these new measures will work though..

As far as versions go, I think they should go back to the "Home" and "Professional" versions only.. Keeping in mind that "Pro" would be equal to "Ultimate"..

Originally Posted by Radenight

I've no doubt they will implement new forms of anti-piracy with the release of Windows 8.. It will be interesting to see how well these new measures will work though..

As far as versions go, I think they should go back to the "Home" and "Professional" versions only.. Keeping in mind that "Pro" would be equal to "Ultimate"..

Hmm... If they were gonna create the starter, best for them to work it good. I heard a lot of complaint from couple of people who walked in the store and return it or they talk about it and I jump in the convo and they said sometimes they get the BSOD... o.o

As far as versions go, I think they should go back to the "Home" and "Professional" versions only.. Keeping in mind that "Pro" would be equal to "Ultimate"..

I could not agree more. Back to basics. Home and Pro. 2 versions to choose from and very little confusion.

Originally Posted by Radenight

I've no doubt they will implement new forms of anti-piracy with the release of Windows 8.. It will be interesting to see how well these new measures will work though..

As far as versions go, I think they should go back to the "Home" and "Professional" versions only.. Keeping in mind that "Pro" would be equal to "Ultimate"..

Agreed! There would be less confusion for a start although I could perhaps see the inclusion of another version but only one for the business sector (some would argue that 'proffessionall already fills this role but I think the 'Business model' could include sections of MS office). Now whether this will bring the Europratts to start crying foul again like over 'browsergate' remains to be seen but whatever happens a clearer division between the different versions would definitely be welcomed.

I think this is where China's hacker is gonna start teaming up to try it out. idk. lol

Anti piracy is a term used to describe countermeasures against maritime piracy but more often by some to describe the attempt to prevent copyright infringement,
counterfeiting, and other violations of intellectual property rights.