Windows & Piracy: a die-hard mindset. Is it worth it and does it hurt knowledge?

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Problem

Windows is the most used operating system in the world and, for this very reason, is also the world's most pirated operating system.

The reasons for this are varied.

In poor countries the cost of a Windows license can be too high and people can not afford it. For many people around the world their first computer often runs a pirated Windows versions.

Others believe it's ethically OK to rob a thief.

Some hacktivists consider Microsoft a monopolist and believe knowledge should be free without any limitations for the sake of mankind, so to them it's ethically right to spread knowledge, even when is covered by copyright. A modern Robin Hood version, if you please. I also think the current copyright definition should be totally changed, being outdated and medieval by now, but, nevertheless, this is the law and you have to comply with it, like it or not.

Another reason is most workplaces are Windows-centrist and, if you don't know Windows, you can't get your job done.

I don't approve of piracy, and these arguments are no sufficient defense for a crime, because piracy is essentially a theft.

Looks like pirated versions, too, were allowed to upgrade to Windows 10. I don't know whether this is an intentional strategy by Microsoft, but it could lead to a reduction of the pirated copies spread around the world.

Is running a Windows pirated version worth the hassle?

• Pirated software is among the most common vehicles for malware infection. Almost any patch/crack has its Easter egg inside, and it's not chocolatey all the time. Most times there are Trojans, sometimes this software contains rootkits allowing the attacker to use the infected computer as a zombie to launch DDoS attacks against remote targets.
• Usually these copies don't perform good, because of the malware they contain and/or of the way system files and settings need to be modified for the crack/patch to work. The whole activation process needs to be eluded for it to work, which involves modifying system files and registry keys in an unintended way. No one but the author can know what changes have been made and what backdoors might have been created.
• You risk to get more easily hacked: If the cracked/patched version contains malware, it can "phone home" telling the attacker another victim was found. Once you've gotten hacked, other malware can be downloaded to your system and you might have to re-install everything from scratch. By the way, I hope you didn't have any sensitive data in there :)
• Cracks don't work all the time and sometimes they stop working after a while: much ado for nothing.

It's never worth going through all this hassle, to me. I'd be always much better off with Linux.

If you can't afford a Windows version, or a Mac computer, Linux is a very viable solution.

It's absolutely free and supports any type of business and purposes. There are Linux distros designed for engineering, education, mathematics, etc.

Linux runs most servers all over the world and Google has developed most of its business on Linux. The most used mobile operating system, Android, is Linux-based.

Does running pirated Windows software hurt knowledge?

IMHO, pirated Windows versions hurt knowledge because most people running this software are script kiddos who have no clue about how computers really work.

They only want to push a button to get their stuff done.

The world needs more people having Linux skills to fight hackers.

There's a dramatic shortage of Linux administrators, because most people go for the easier path: Windows server administration with Cisco.

That doesn't mean the Cisco path is easy in itself, though.

In my opinion, latest Windows versions hurt knowledge because they take more and more stuff away from users, who get too used to push a button like brainless monkeys.

As a result of that, most people around want to have Windows, legitimately or not.

Yesterday someone asked me a question on Quora about why his crack for a certain program wasn't working.

When I told him I couldn't help, because I don't support piracy (I don't want to go to jail for complicity, thanks), I got a message from him: a photo of his raised middle finger.

Needless to say, I suggested him a better usage for that and reported the matter to Quora, but this is the mindset. Arrogance.

Though I believe the treatment Microsoft supplies with Windows 10 is worse than the disease, as it implies being monitored by Microsoft police, is nonetheless a step forward.

This type of mindset is die-hard, though.

I still see questions around such as "Where can I find a cracked Windows 10 version?".

These people have been so used to have their cracked Windows version over the years that they expect it and -damn it- they gotta have it, no matter what!

Doesn't that stink?

Wrap-up

Piracy is a cancer, it spreads malware and hurts knowledge.

You can have a genuine Windows version with DreamSpark (now known as Microsoft Imagine), if you're a student.

Otherwise, there's a bunch of free UNIX and Linux distributions that you can learn to use for you to be productive on.

You can give back to your community by spreading knowledge, creating programs, inventing new solutions and apps and you can do it free of charge, without stealing licenses.

You can customize the source code and create the solutions you need for your specific problems.

If you just need Windows, don't steal licenses. Be advised Windows is a closed-source software and you'll never be able to access its source code.

You can be productive on Windows, by programming in .NET, C#, or Visual Basic and more, as Windows supports most programming languages.

As to myself, I became a UNIX/Linux guy.

I'd never steal to have something I can have for free with Linux and I love my Mac.

I'd never use Windows, unless needed for work, or study reasons.

Anyway you wanna see it, piracy is a losing game. The best move is not to play it at all.