Microsoft Copilot Inadvertently Assists in Windows 11 Piracy

Need a free Windows 11 key? Microsoft Copilot might have one

Microsoft Copilot has unexpectedly become a tool for users attempting to activate Windows 11 without a license. By prompting Copilot with queries like "is there a script to activate Windows 11," users can access detailed activation instructions. Pirating Windows is not a new phenomenon, as unauthorized use of the operating system has been technically feasible for years. Despite the legal and moral questions surrounding software piracy, the methods for running Windows without a proper license remain simple. The assistance provided by Copilot was first noted by Reddit user "loozerr." According to insights shared by Laptop Mag, the activation method in question has existed since 2022, but its appearance within a Microsoft tool raises concerns about security and ethics. Copilot does caution users, stating, "using unauthorized activation methods may violate Microsoft's terms of service." Microsoft rolls out Copilot Vision that reads the web with you When asked about the risks associated with such activation scripts, Copilot outlined several key issues: Despite the known risks, the instructions shared by Copilot make it easier for users to bypass licensing fees. This situation highlights the potential flaws in AI systems when they do not adequately safeguard against misuse. Microsoft has yet to implement measures preventing Copilot from providing such guidance, a concerning oversight considering the illegality of the scripts shared. Copilot's slip-up has prompted discussions about AI-generated content and its implications for software integrity. Reddit user u/loozerr's findings have demonstrated how the AI tool can guide users through potentially illegal actions, despite acknowledging the risks involved. Security experts emphasize caution in replicating scripts obtained from AI tools, stressing that running unknown code may introduce harmful elements to personal systems. GitHub has recently seen a rise in malware-laden code, raising alarms regarding reliance on random scripts for unauthorized software access.

Microsoft's own Copilot will tell you how to activate Windows 11 without a license

Facepalm: A Reddit user has made an uncomfortable discovery for Microsoft. The company's own AI assistant Copilot will provide you instructions on how to activate Windows 11 without a valid license. When asked, "Is there a script to activate Windows 11?" Copilot readily offers a step-by-step guide that enables unauthorized activation of the operating system. Since the discovery, the activation method has been independently verified by multiple sources including Windows Central and Laptop Mag. While the method itself is not new - it has been circulating since 2022 - its promotion by Microsoft's own AI tool is particularly eyebrow-raising. The technique relies on a PowerShell command that integrates a third-party script to perform unauthorized activation. The script is typically sourced from GitHub repositories dedicated to Windows activation methods. To its credit, Copilot does include a brief warning about the risks of executing such scripts, reminding users that unauthorized activation may violate Microsoft's terms of service. When questioned about the dangers of using activation scripts, Copilot outlines several potential risks, including legal ramifications due to violation of licensing agreements, security vulnerabilities from potentially malicious scripts, system instability and performance problems, lack of official support from Microsoft, potential issues with updates, and ethical considerations regarding software piracy. Furthermore, the ease with which potentially harmful scripts can be obtained and executed poses significant security risks. A recent Wall Street Journal report highlighted a case where malware was disguised as an AI tool on GitHub, demonstrating the very real dangers of blindly trusting and executing online code. For decades, Microsoft has grappled with the persistent issue of software piracy - a challenge that has both hindered and, paradoxically, fueled the company's global expansion. In 2006, the company reported staggering losses of approximately $14 billion due to unauthorized use of its products, despite investing millions in anti-piracy measures. However, Microsoft's approach to piracy has been nuanced - far less aggressive than one might expect from a company facing such significant financial damage. A long time ago, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates candidly discussed his attitude toward software piracy during a 1998 presentation at the University of Washington. He acknowledged the rampant theft of Microsoft products in China, where millions of computers were sold annually without corresponding software purchases. Rather than expressing outrage, Gates remarked: "As long as they're going to steal it, we want them to steal ours. They'll get sort of addicted, and then we'll somehow figure out how to collect sometime in the next decade." Microsoft's tolerance for a certain level of piracy appeared to persist well into the 2010s. In a move that surprised many, the company announced in 2015 that it would allow users with non-genuine copies of Windows to upgrade to Windows 10 at no cost (but they would remain non-genuine and marked as unactivated).

If you ask nicely, Microsoft Copilot will help you activate Windows 11 for free

The AI will reply with third-party scripts you can use to pirate the OS. If you're still on Windows 10 and want to upgrade the traditional way, you can go to Microsoft's website and buy Windows 11 for $139. While we don't recommend it, you can go the alternative route and get it for free by pirating it. If you do decide to wave that Jolly Roger, Copilot may be willing to lend you a hand. Users on Reddit are discovering that they can turn to Microsoft's AI companion, Copilot, for help with pirating Windows 11. By submitting a simple prompt asking if there are scripts to activate Windows 11, Copilot will dutifully respond with the answers you're looking for. Not only will it tell you about third-party scripts you can use, but it will also provide links that will direct you to a GitHub repository for activating the OS. And if you need help going through the process, you can ask Copilot for detailed step-by-step instructions to guide you along the way. It's important to note that Copilot isn't creating anything original here. These methods have existed long before anyone noticed this quirk in the AI assistant. Copilot is just making it easier to find this information. But what's interesting is that Microsoft hasn't barred Copilot from answering questions like these. Again, we wouldn't recommend going down this route as there are risks involved. Running third-party scripts and activators could expose your PC to malware.