5 ms·

I've been using Windows XP VMs without activation, or even a prompt to activate. I didn't know they even needed activation. Does anyone know what activation is

I've been using Windows XP VMs without activation, or even a prompt to activate. I didn't know they even needed activation. Does anyone know what activation is needed for?

cellularmitosis 3y ago
I actually just ran into this the other weekend. After a certain amount of time (30 days?), Windows will prompt you to activate, and if you don't, it kicks you to the login screen.
EscapeFromNY 3y ago
Normally Windows XP would lock you out completely after a while if you don't activate. But there are a lot of exceptions, like volume license keys, certain OEM install discs, certain VM images released by MS, and ahem unofficial ISOs with things like AntiWPA slipstreamed into the install.
WarOnPrivacy 3y ago
> I've been using Windows XP VMs without activation, or even a prompt to activate. If you go into properties, does it show XP isn't activated? IIRC, early XP releases didn't nag from the tray. I've also seen some Dell installs that auto activated after pulling the key from BIOS.
- ungruntled 3y ago
  It says it's activated. I think this is because I was using one of those Windows XP compatibility isos that Microsoft made available for download a long time ago (as far as I remember).
- ridgered4 3y ago
  There was an update, Windows Genuine Advantage, that was not part of the original XP installers that did the nagging about you using a shady key IIRC. The trick was to not install it, which was easy enough since you had total control of updates back then.
RulerOf 3y ago
If you ever worked in IT during the XP era, you got your hands on a private Volume License Key. XP VLKs bypassed activation, and they were the piracy tool of choice until Microsoft started blacklisting them[1]. 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volume_licensing#Leaked_keys https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volume_licensing#Leaked_keys
- stuff4ben 3y ago
  I installed so many Windows XP systems back in the day (manually of course) that I memorized the product key.
  - bombcar 3y ago
    FCKGW?
    - geraldhh 3y ago
      this is the way
    - WithinReason 3y ago
      FCKGW-RHQQ2-YXRKT-8TG6W-2B7Q8 if I remember correctly. And the famous image: https://web.archive.org/web/20140621130744/http://www.harshj.com/2007/03/19/more-on-the-fckgw-rhqq2-yxrkt-8tg6w-2b7q8/ https://web.archive.org/web/20140621130744/http://www.harshj...
      - bombcar 3y ago
        Yep, the devil's own. If Microsoft had panache they'd release a final Windows XP ISO that would only take that key.
  - smolder 3y ago
    I still have a windows 98 first edition key memorized. And 26 digits of Pi. But recently I forgot the 4 digit PIN for my debit card and required a reset.

I've been using Windows XP VMs without activation, or even a prompt to activate. I didn't know they even needed activation. Does anyone know what activation is needed for?

cellularmitosis 3y ago

I actually just ran into this the other weekend. After a certain amount of time (30 days?), Windows will prompt you to activate, and if you don't, it kicks you to the login screen.

EscapeFromNY 3y ago

Normally Windows XP would lock you out completely after a while if you don't activate. But there are a lot of exceptions, like volume license keys, certain OEM install discs, certain VM images released by MS, and ahem unofficial ISOs with things like AntiWPA slipstreamed into the install.

WarOnPrivacy 3y ago

> I've been using Windows XP VMs without activation, or even a prompt to activate. If you go into properties, does it show XP isn't activated? IIRC, early XP releases didn't nag from the tray. I've also seen some Dell installs that auto activated after pulling the key from BIOS.

ungruntled 3y ago
It says it's activated. I think this is because I was using one of those Windows XP compatibility isos that Microsoft made available for download a long time ago (as far as I remember).
ridgered4 3y ago
There was an update, Windows Genuine Advantage, that was not part of the original XP installers that did the nagging about you using a shady key IIRC. The trick was to not install it, which was easy enough since you had total control of updates back then.

RulerOf 3y ago

If you ever worked in IT during the XP era, you got your hands on a private Volume License Key. XP VLKs bypassed activation, and they were the piracy tool of choice until Microsoft started blacklisting them[1]. 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volume_licensing#Leaked_keys https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volume_licensing#Leaked_keys

stuff4ben 3y ago
I installed so many Windows XP systems back in the day (manually of course) that I memorized the product key.
- bombcar 3y ago
  FCKGW?
  - geraldhh 3y ago
    this is the way
  - WithinReason 3y ago
    FCKGW-RHQQ2-YXRKT-8TG6W-2B7Q8 if I remember correctly. And the famous image: https://web.archive.org/web/20140621130744/http://www.harshj.com/2007/03/19/more-on-the-fckgw-rhqq2-yxrkt-8tg6w-2b7q8/ https://web.archive.org/web/20140621130744/http://www.harshj...
    - bombcar 3y ago
      Yep, the devil's own. If Microsoft had panache they'd release a final Windows XP ISO that would only take that key.
- smolder 3y ago
  I still have a windows 98 first edition key memorized. And 26 digits of Pi. But recently I forgot the 4 digit PIN for my debit card and required a reset.