What is Software Piracy
A paid software is said to be pirated if it is used and distributed for free to users. Both the distributors and the users are considered Computer or Software Pirates. The roots of software piracy lie in the three type of software tools called Cracks, Patches, and Keygens. These are used to extend the lifetime of the trial period of a software, patching a software to bypass the license check, and to activate a software with illegally generated keys.
Top 10 Pirated Windows Software
1. Windows OS (XP, 7, 10)
If there was a way to calculate the total number of discs of one particular operating system ever created, then even today, 16 years after its initial release, Windows XP will win by a huge margin. There are still properly seeded torrents of Windows XP. This OS has become a collectible now; and its ISO, a novelty item. Some of us have it just for nostalgic reasons. The most important CD in the noughties was the Windows XP CD.
2. Microsoft Office
Technically the list starts here because Windows is an operating system, a System Software, and not an Application Software. Microsoft Office 2003 and 2007 were distributed in Compact Discs like they were some sort of open-source free software, like a Linux Distro. Both, Office 2003 and 2007 weighed under 700MB, so perfectly fitted any CD, which contained the program Setup along with the most important file called serial.txt. It used to be the second most popular CD in after Windows XP.
3. Internet Download Manager
IDM wins this list because it is the most pirated non-Microsoft software. There is a strange fascination with using IDM. For Windows users, it is either IDM or nothing. I first used it more than a decade ago, and nothing much has changed in terms of its User Interface in the last ten years. It seems like its development team spends all of their time and resources on keeping it the fastest download manager ever, which is a good thing. The only thing faster than IDM is Time.
4. WinRAR
WinRAR is considered as a Windows component. A compression/extraction software is one of the first tools to be installed on a system. WinRAR is pirated even when there is no need to. The free evaluation copy of WinRAR lets the user use all of its features except “Add authenticity information”, “Show protocol file”, and “Delete protocol file”. WinRAR works fine even after its trial period has ended. At the end of the trial period, it becomes a Freeware (or a Nagware) instead of a Trialware.
5. Nero Burning ROM
There is no denying that Nero is the best-known disc burning software for Windows. It truly is an emperor in its segment just like its namesake. Like IDM and WinRAR, Nero has become a Generonym. There is nothing related to Compact Discs that you cannot do with Nero. They have such a large portfolio of disc burning products and solutions.
6. Antivirus (Avast, ESET, McAfee, Norton, Kaspersky, Bitdefender, etc.)
Technically, the correct term in Anti-malware. An anti-malware deals with all kinds of computers infections such as Virus, Worms, Trojans, Spyware, Ransomware, etc.
An antivirus is the first software that almost all of the Windows users install on their computers. There are many great free alternatives available but people tend to get the most feature-rich and premium anti-malware product created by the companies.
7. Adobe Photoshop (and Adobe’s other products)
Most of the users download it just because of its reputation. It stays on their computer for a lesser amount of time than the trial period offered by the company itself. Piracy has become so easy that even when users want to use software just for trial and testing purposes, they get the full pirated version instead of the official trial copy.
Most of the pirate users use it only for the basic features like touch-up and simple image editing. Layers is complex concept. Maybe, Adobe should release a free desktop software for Windows users that only includes these basic image editing features; they already have such apps for various mobile device platforms.
8. FL Studio
FL Studio (formerly known as FruityLoops) is a professional Digital Music production platform. Various well known Music producers, DJs, and artists use it.
9. Vegas Pro
After Image and Audio production, we now move to the field of Video production. Magix Vegas Pro is video editing software used for non-linear editing (NLE). It provides real-time multi-track audio and video editing features.
10. AutoCAD
Autodesk AutoCAD is a computer aided design and drafting software for 2D and 3D graphics and animations. It is a used by engineers, architects, graphic designers, and many other industry professionals.
Piracy can have serious effects on your computer and your personal life; you can read about them here:
Stay away from Computer Piracy. Always look for free alternatives if you can’t pay for software.
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