Windows as a software package would have never been affordable to individuals or local-level orgs in countries like India and Bangladesh (especially in the 2000's) that are now powerhouses of IT. Same for many SE Asian, Eastern European, African and LatinoAmerican countries as well.

Had the OS been too difficult to pirate, educators and local institutions in these countries would have certainly shifted to Linux and the like. The fact that Windows could be pirated easily is the main factor that led to its ubiquity and allowed it to become a household name. Its rapid popularity in the '00s and early '10s cemented its status as the PC operating system. It is probably the same for Microsoft Office as well (it is still a part of many schools' standard curricula).

The fact that Windows still remains pirateable to this day is perhaps intentional on Microsoft's part.

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[–] Kedly@lemm.ee 5 points 2 years ago

I mean sure in those countries maybe. But the vast majority of people using windows in North America would still be using Windows (And possibly Europe, but I cant speak for Europe) even if it wasnt easily piratable.

[–] pragmakist@kbin.social 2 points 2 years ago

The vast majority of the value of a consumer facing computer system is in the people who help other people.

They know that.

[–] RandomVideos@programming.dev 2 points 2 years ago

Out of the 4 laptops i used recently, 3 of them were using a pirated version of windows. 1 of them(my laptop) didnt use a pirated version of windows because it was already paid when i bought the laptop. I thought all laptops(that are not using macos or linux) came with windows preistalled

[–] SereneHurricane@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

1111111111111.

Just saying.

[–] MayonnaiseArch@beehaw.org 1 points 2 years ago

Maybe, but there's also the thing where it works reliably and you have software you can use. But yeah, it's still part of the strategy

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