Windows XP Product Activation Question

[Carbo]

I've read a number of articles at various sites, including MS, regarding product activation. Color me dense, but I'm still confused. Is this correct: Windows XP Home does require activation. Windows XP Pro also does require activation. But, there is a third version called XP Pro Corporate which does not require activation. Is that about right?
Now, I just purchased an OEM version of XP Pro. I've got someone telling me that fully functional copies of XP Pro are readily available, and that these copies work without problem and do not need activation. How can this be??

 

[Ryan]

I have OEM versions of Home and Pro, and they both need activation. The only versions that I know of that don't need activation are Not For Resale versions, and the Corporate versions.

 

[Carbo]

This is what I thought. But, I'm being told by someone who swears his friend has a copy of XP Pro up and running and no activation has been required. Now, he'll be receiving a copy from this copy and I'm wondering what the results of all this will be.

 

[tmoney]

Basically, the Microsoft activation database will not require activation if it picks up a Corporate version Product Key. It does this because the Corporate edition is meant to be used by thousands of employees, or by OEM's. It would be useless to have every single person activate it. Also, I've heard that Microsoft knows the people who use the Corporate Edition Illegally, and might take action later on. Does anyone knwo about this?

 

[scornful]

Unless I'm mistaken, the upload of information by your computer w/o your consent is illegal. That's not to say that they dont do it, just search for spy ware. Everyone and their brother does it though it's supposed to be illegal. Now whether M$ will come down on you at a later date is up in the air......

 

[Om]

He's wrong. The only TWO that don't require activation are the Corporate Edition and XP Pro that has been hacked by installing Corporate Editon files into it,..making it basically a Corporate Edition.
If MS wanted to get all of these hacked versions they would probably do it with the update files. When you go to update your hacked XP version it would trash the install. Who knows, they may do that.

 

[Ryan]

<< Unless I'm mistaken, the upload of information by your computer w/o your consent is illegal. That's not to say that they dont do it, just search for spy ware. Everyone and their brother does it though it's supposed to be illegal. Now whether M$ will come down on you at a later date is up in the air...... >>



MS isn't doing anything illegal. When you purchase XP, and you open the box, you are agreeing with the Terms Of Service. I'll bet that if you read the TOS, it has a section that says you must register to use the product. And since you opened the box, you therefore agreed to the TOS. By using XP, you are agreeing that you'll register it.

When you do register, just your XP serial number and the activation code are sent to MS, and they can't get any information from that code. THe code is generated by the type of system you have. (Even if MS could get you system info, who cares?!?!?!? Trust me, I'm sure they want to know what kind of video card you're running, or how big your hard drvie is :roll.

Stop being so paranoid