me too in the past. I've been using pirated Windows XP since the first gold release back in 2001. No virus whatsoever, I repeat, NO VIRUS WHATSOEVER, it just gimmick. And believe or not, I even called Microsoft support to ask about my pirated Windows problem, and they just help me, no question asked. But using original is worth the time and money since you didn't need to apply some 1337 crack everytime WGA updates, also the packaging and media is so nice, so, get original