Well; unless you cant afford, or you are absolutely clueless; or an inconvincable arrogant, Using Genuine Windows/Software is recommended.
I do not happen to use a genuine Windows because;
1. I cannot afford it for the time being; as I am a student.
2. It'll take a few years before laws get enforced in our country, Nepal.
Though; Im not like people who being aware, dont care piracy. I use Windows because its necessary. I do not use any other pirated software like MSOffice, Photoshop; as we have damn good free/OSS alternatives. Add to it that I am learning linux and will temporarily abandon windows once I am able to do all basic stuff in Linux. I just have to get used to Linux. (Its being a tough battle right now to configure it for my hardware; damn the Via chipset I have.
)
There are freinds of mine, who know about simple OSS alternatives (like OpenOffice.org to MSOffice; Like GIMP to Photoshop, Like AVG/Avast to Morton, etc) of many softwares but still they havent woken up to the fact and keep using the pirated softwares. At least they could contribute to less-piracy.
After I get on my feet; I promise anything, I'll use genuine Windows/softwares. But Im sorry friends; I am not a tech noob and have a good Idea of linux as well; but I simply cant prevent using pirated Windows for 1-2 years to come.