Microsoft makes additional move to address pirated copies of Windows XP

Microsoft is updating its Windows Genuine Advantage tool this week with "significant updates" designed to make things even more uncomfortable for owners of non-genuine Windows. The changes are targeted specifically at Windows XP, apparently because Windows XP Pro is the operating system that Microsoft says "has the highest likelihood of having a non-genuine copy." Failing a validation check will now result in the desktop being changed to a plain black background. The user can modify this to their personal preference, except that the black background will repeatedly reset every hour. So that there would be no ambiguity, a watermark urging users to "ask for genuine Microsoft software" will appear in a persistent position above the system try. The notification is non-interactive and transparent, so that users can continue to interact with the desktop underneath.

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