Microsoft pushes update to deactivate counterfeit Windows 7 copies

[Jeremy]

Don't be surprised if sometime soon they make a small application that you install on your PC instead of a full operating system, then you have to use the application to access the OS on an online Microsoft Server in which the only way to access it is to initially purchase your copy which is then stored on that server and the only way to access it is to login to it, but you'll be unable to login if you didn't purchase and register through their online server. Yes that sounds out there and very troublesome, but the way PC's are today it is easily possible to do something like this. You would still store your files etc. on your physical hard disc, but only be able to access them through your paid online OS.

Also, do not be surprised if we see consoles starting to do this to prevent pirated games. You'll buy the hardware (which you can't pirate) then the only way to play games is to connect to the console's server, purchase the games and play them on online servers where the games you purchase are stored rather than having physical discs. Some files could be cached/stored on the hardware, but the actual .exe file to run the game would not be accessible unless you hacked the actual server in which case it would still be useless because there would be no input on the console itself except for controllers/peripherals. All memory saves and data would be stored on the servers.

Yes maybe those ideas are out there, but they are a very real possibility in my opinion, and the tech to do it is already available. I guess it depends on cost. Does it cost more to run and maintain the servers or are they losing more money to pirates? I don't know, I just see something like this being implemented in the near future.

[Samuel]

Don't be surprised if sometime soon they make a small application that you install on your PC instead of a full operating system, then you have to use the application to access the OS on an online Microsoft Server in which the only way to access it is to initially purchase your copy which is then stored on that server and the only way to access it is to login to it, but you'll be unable to login if you didn't purchase and register through their online server. Yes that sounds out there and very troublesome, but the way PC's are today it is easily possible to do something like this. You would still store your files etc. on your physical hard disc, but only be able to access them through your paid online OS.

Also, do not be surprised if we see consoles starting to do this to prevent pirated games. You'll buy the hardware (which you can't pirate) then the only way to play games is to connect to the console's server, purchase the games and play them on online servers where the games you purchase are stored rather than having physical discs. Some files could be cached/stored on the hardware, but the actual .exe file to run the game would not be accessible unless you hacked the actual server in which case it would still be useless because there would be no input on the console itself except for controllers/peripherals. All memory saves and data would be stored on the servers.

Yes maybe those ideas are out there, but they are a very real possibility in my opinion, and the tech to do it is already available. I guess it depends on cost. Does it cost more to run and maintain the servers or are they losing more money to pirates? I don't know, I just see something like this being implemented in the near future.

Then we should have an internet connection like you Jeremy