Microsoft: Piracy users have a watermark on the desktop after upgrading Windows 10

Microsoft China distributed a blog post to the media yesterday to provide an update on the issue of upgrading Windows 10 for pirated users who are concerned about domestic users and foreigners. According to the description, for users who cannot be determined to be genuine by Microsoft, when they upgrade to Windows 10 for free through the partner channel, a watermark prompt will appear on the desktop, and the prompt can be eliminated after purchasing the genuine license and activation.

Earlier this year, Microsoft co-360 and Tencent in Shenzhen WinHEC conference of the National Windows users a free upgrade Windows 10 service, when we reported that the pirates can still get an upgrade . This has caused concern and uneasiness of foreign media, and it is considered unfair to genuine users. Microsoft has to show a strict attitude against piracy to appease public opinion, but until now, it has not clearly blocked the channels for pirated users to upgrade.

In fact, pirated users can upgrade and use Windows 10 normally, and Microsoft can accelerate the elimination of Windows XP and Windows 7, paving the way for the company's longer-term ecological chain. And Windows itself is becoming more and more free.

The following is a press release:

Genuine Windows and Windows 10

5.15.2015

This week we shared about Windows 10 "Version" for more details. Today, I want to answer some questions we have about genuine and non-genuine Windows.

With the advent of Windows 10, genuine Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 customers will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free (see here for more details and conditions). Once the customer completes the upgrade, they will continue to receive Windows innovations and security updates throughout the product support lifecycle of their devices.

These customers are genuine Windows licenses purchased from our esteemed OEM partner channel, and OEM partners ensure that Windows is properly installed and licensed and has not been tampered with. Windows 10 provides our customers with a safer, more modern experience. Bringing all of our customers to the Windows 10 platform can help developers drive this ecosystem to thrive and make Windows' customer experience even better. We are working hard to seamlessly upgrade our customers from Windows 7 or Windows 8 to Windows 10. I am very excited about the opportunities that the Windows 10 upgrade brings.

When we are unable to verify that Windows is installed and has a genuine license and has not been tampered with, a watermark will be created on the desktop of the computer to inform the user. If you see this watermark on a new device, I encourage you to contact the relevant retailer immediately and return the device, while requesting a genuine Windows device. Non-genuine Windows poses higher risks, including malware, fraud, and exposure to personal information, as well as higher-risk bad experiences and lack of functionality. Non-genuine Windows is not supported by Microsoft or trusted partners.

Microsoft and our OEM partners understand that many consumers are victims of piracy without their knowledge. With the advent of Windows 10, we want all of our customers to move forward with us. Although the free upgrades for Windows 10 we offer will not work with non-genuine Windows devices, we will provide Windows 10 for customers running devices in non-genuine state. In addition, by working with a number of OEM partners, we plan to offer a very attractive Windows 10 upgrade plan for customers running older, non-genuine devices. Stay tuned to our partners to learn more about the upgrade details they offer.

Windows 10 is still in development, we can't answer all the questions, but I hope this blog post can clarify some important topics. If you want to help shape the future of Windows and contribute to Windows 10, welcome to the "Windows Insider Program", you can download the Windows 10 Technology Preview and give us valuable feedback.

Thank you for choosing genuine Windows 10 to support Windows and Windows partners.

Terry (Windows Director Terry Myerson)