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@GrungeQueef it is trivial to pirate windows these days actually. Even 11. There is a script on github (which Microsoft owns) that connects to the ms servers to just verify your copy. Permanently, in most cases.
If you buy a non-oem windows license or buy a PC with windows installed it'll just attach a lifetime license to your ms account.
Linus dick tips has made a couple videos on pirating windows even lol.
MS doesn't really care if you get it for free. Much like Adobe. It keeps their market share up. They make most of their money through professional and education sectors, not personal.
@beardalaxy @GrungeQueef Ironic given that Microsoft basically pioneered the proprietary software model. Though Microsoft used to have some slogan saying "if you are going to pirate software, pirate ours."
@xianc78 @GrungeQueef to clarify, you do mean hardware as in like, laptops and desktops and stuff like that right? Stuff that windows can be installed onto where it comes pre-installed, not necessarily stuff that just supports it.
@beardalaxy @GrungeQueef Computers for all I know, but they might also do so for CPUs and GPUs, but I haven't checked.
@beardalaxy @GrungeQueef Another thing is that Microsoft makes money off of hardware via the "Microsoft tax". Basically Microsoft takes a cut of money off of every piece of hardware sold that Windows supports.
Really as far as intellectual property is concerned, Microsoft only cares about protecting their source code. Otherwise hardware manufacturers can just release computers using modified versions of Windows just so they can avoid the MS tax.