Microsoft's highly-publicised NXE has found its way onto a host of torrent sites just weeks before the dashboard update makes its worldwide release.

Numerous public trackers are now hosting torrents of a downloadable package that can install the 360's anticipated new dashboard via USB. Shortly after the news spread Microsoft's Larry Hryb, director of programming for Xbox Live, threatened potential pirates with bans from Xbox Live.

Speaking on the social networking site Twitter via his Major Nelson pseudonym, Hryb stressed that “if you get your hands on NXE and you are NOT in the Preview Program. You won't be allowed on LIVE.”

The New Xbox Experience remains scheduled for release on Nov 19.

Edge has contacted Microsoft for comment.