What happens if I don't activate my XP MCE 2005 install?

[MichaelD]

Over the years I've had authorized copies (from work) of Win2K and WinXP. I just bought MCE2005 for the HTPC I'm building. I know it's got activation of some kind.

I'd really rather not have WGA spyware on my brand new virgin install. What can I do?

 

[RebateMonger]

Use Linux?
Tin foil?

 

[mechBgon]

Activation isn't the same as Windows Genuine Advantage. If WGA is a big deal to you, yeah, use Linux or something.

 

[MichaelD]

I was under the impression that in order to activate, you had to install that crap spyware on your machine first. Is that not the case? I've never had to activate Windows before.

 

[2canSAM]

You don't have to install WGA to activate. You can actually activate without being connected to the internet by using the phone option, WGA is needed for Media Player 11 and a few other bits from microsoft, though, but seeing as this is a MCE box you should be fine with just activation. But to answer your original ?. If you continue without activation, you will get a pop-up every now and again telling you how many days you have left, once that time is elapsed, you will have to activate or you can't log in. I have never run a windows box past its open period so I am not sure if anything else happens.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
I was under the impression that in order to activate, you had to install that crap spyware on your machine first. Is that not the case? I've never had to activate Windows before.

I don't consider WGA to be "spyware," so I'm not sure what to tell you in that regard. If you don't want WGA, however, you will need to take manual control of updates and keep rejecting all the WGA-related ones whenever you approve a batch of updates. It's up to you.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks everyone.

 

[nerp]

If you think WGA is spyware, I hope you've never:

Used a credit card
Bought produts online
mailed in a product registration card
replied to a free offer
installed shareware/trialware apps and bought a registration key
enabled 'check for new versions' on various applications
ran itunes
voted
created an account on myspace/facebook
blogged
used bittorent
put your machine on a distributed torrent tracker
used a supermarket/pharmacy member/discount card
replied to a mail in rebate
filed a police report
registered a car
bought property
signed up for a offline storage/webmail/photo hosting site.