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Microsoft has said it will provide updates even to pirated versions of Windows 7. Good for those who depend on "free versions" of the most popular operating system.

What ever Microsoft may say in public, the company's stronghold on the market is only because a large number of users can easily get and use pirated Versions of Windows. It might be a huge loss in revenues but it must have other benefits to offer that the company is soft on pirated copies of the operating system. If users don't get a free copy of Windows, a large number of them will flock towards Linux.

One of the reasons why Vista didn't really click like Windows XP was that there wasn't any hassle free pirated version of Vista available. Of course, it was a clunky operating system that consumed lot of energy and brain. But a lot of people actually liked Vista but couldn't really get a free copy of it.

Microsoft director of Windows Client Enterprise Security, Paul Cooke, has told Maximum PC that all Windows 7 users -- even those running pirate copies -- will receive security updates. “Rest assured that we at Microsoft are committed to making sure that security updates are available to all of our users to help ensure a safe online experience for everyone.”

Does this mean that Microsoft would leave scope for piracy of the new version of Windows? Yes, but then Microsoft will flip the Starter switch and limit the unlicensed system to run only three programs at a time. A compromise for updated "free" copy of Windows that many users won't mind. [Thus it will help Windows retain users from switching to rival Linux.]

Microsoft has always been soft on piracy, ignoring it straight away, often condoning it. That's an open secret. Bill Gates accepts it as an strategy to increase user base, which ultimately helps boost the software giants revenues.

Right now Microsoft provides updates and patches for the operating system even to pirated Windows XP. [If you have a pirated copy of Windows XP, don't hesitate to turn on automatic updates. It will keep your Windows copy safe from several security threats such as the latest Conficker virus. Just take care that you don't upgrade to Windows Media Player's latest version which requires "genuine copy" of Windows. Above all, go for licensed copies of applications and operating systems.]