Microsoft Corp. will change how users activate Windows XP when Service Pack 3 launches in the first half of 2008, a company white paper said.
New installations of Windows XP SP3 will give users the same 30-day grace period currently offered to Windows Vista customers before they're required to enter a product activation key, the 25-character code that proves the copy is legitimate.
New installations of Windows XP SP3 will give users the same 30-day grace period currently offered to Windows Vista customers before they're required to enter a product activation key, the 25-character code that proves the copy is legitimate.
"As in Windows Server 2003 SP2 and Windows Vista, users can now complete operating system installation without providing a product key during a full, integrated installation of Windows XP SP3," the Microsoft paper stated. "The operating system will prompt the user for a product key later as part of Genuine Advantage."
View: Full Article @ Computer World
Am I missing something, only Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista do keyless installs, right?
Last edited by pjak on 28 Dec 2007 - 09:57
SP2c introduced the keyless install...as an OEM we got this version because of the lack of product keys...but it is SP3 that will introduce slmgr.
The keyless install makes it a ton easier to build and clone machines. Then when the end-user gets the PC all they have to do is type in the product key and its set to go.
Last edited by necrosis on 28 Dec 2007 - 15:27
DrJones is correct. SP2C has this feature, it's just not available to the public.
Sounds like they plan for the final sp3 to have integrated WGA, just like Vista has. No more choosing not to install the WGA junk.
I wonder if they are also going to do periodic checks like Vista does...
Last edited by DigitalDude on 28 Dec 2007 - 19:19
Microsoft will do whatever it can to cripple XP and promote Vista.
Last edited by toadeater on 28 Dec 2007 - 21:50
Microsoft will do whatever it can to cripple XP and promote Vista.
I was thinking the same. I hope SP3 doesn't screw up a great operating system so that people will move to Vista.
Gee, I hope not. :|
Gee, I hope not. :|
Even if it does, within a few days there will be a new one (key) that will, and after that one gets blacklisted, there will be another one, and so on and so forth. Even with the Vista RTM SP1 and their trying to stop the "Stop Timer" and "OEM BIOS" crack, there will just be another within days, if not hours of release. Pirates will just be slightly irritated, Legit Users will be severely inconvenienced. Same as it's always been.
It works the same way, you'll just be able to skip the dialog box that asks for your key when you're installing Windows. Afterwards you'll have 30 days to enter one and activate.
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