Install Windows XP SP3 Without Product Key and Use for 30 Days Free with Retail CD
Microsoft is making good their promise to remove mandatory product key input during the installation or upgrading process of Windows XP operating system, in a new Windows Product Activation (WPA) process that similar to what implements in Windows Vista. However, only integrated Windows XP with Service Pack retail install or OEM CD can bypass the step to enter product key. Windows XP SP3 installation or setup CD/DVD for corporate customers with volume licensing agreement still require a valid and legitimate volume license product key (VLK) to be entered, as tested and reported by Tip and Trick previously.
When installing Windows XP with Service Pack 3 integrated setup CD or DVD for retail or OEM channel (clean install from fresh state or upgrade), the installation process will still prompt for a 25-character product key as appeared on the yellow sticker on the back of Windows folder to be entered. However, user can leave the product key field blank, and simply click Next button to skip supplying a product key during installation. As similar to Windows Vista, installing Windows XP SP3 without a product key will have system offers the user 30-day activation grace period, and entitles user to a 30 days evaluation or trial period to try out the OS.
Windows XP Setup screen during entering product key phase, which now says “Entering your product key is optional but strongly recommended to help avoid complications during activation.”
If the user click on next without filling in the 25-character product key (leaving the product key field or the 5 boxes blank), an “Error” dialog saying “Entry of a product key will be required later for continued use of Windows. If you choose not to enter the product key now, you might need to reinstall Windows later and potentially lose files and information, or you might need to purchase another version of Windows. We strongly recommend that you enter your product key now. Do you want to enter your product key now?” It’s probably a scare tactic, just click “No” to skip and bypass the product key step.
It’s unclear why Microsoft decides to leave the Volume Licensing media (commonly known as VL or VOL) untouched, since it makes no difference to still require a product key during installation. The VOL editions of Windows XP is the main crack method used by pirates to counterfeit Windows XP OS. It’s commonly used with leaked or stolen VLK which once entered, Windows skips the activation procedure altogether, guarantee sure success to activate Windows XP (of course, the crack won’t work when validation comes into picture.) Thus, it’s believed that Microsoft probably fears of annoying the powerful big corporate customers who prefer fast and easy deployment as associated with Windows XP so far.
Menu item in Start Menu to activate Windows XP SP3
A activation key with days left for activation tooltip also displays in system tray (notification area).
Windows XP SP3 activation wizard will ask for product key to be entered before activation is done online.
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October 25th, 2009 08:40
@Mike, your Dell Inspiron CD requires a Dell OEM XP Install CD.
The number on the bottom of the laptop cannot be used ANY XP installer. It’s simply there document the fact that the computer was issued an xp license.
When installing Windows XP from a Dell OEM XP Installer CD, it will NOT prompt you for any numbers, key, etc. Period. If you try and used that Dell OEM XP installer CD on another non-Dell system, it WILL prompt you for a key.
This is what the disk looks like. And it is what you need.
http://i2.iofferphoto.com/img/item/153/567/04/cd4dell.jpg
September 28th, 2009 11:22
I Bought a dell inspiron laptop tax time off of ebay, ok the product key on the bottom of it will not work for sp1 or sp2, it is professional, would it by any chance be sp3 key? the laptop is 5 years old, it has windows xp proin it, i have to redo it cuz the sound is distorted and slow, from office 2007 leavin it open then putting it into hibernation, guessin it corrupted my hd or the modem is loose in it, it was workin fine until i installed office 2007 enteprise edition.
June 26th, 2009 11:07
thanks for this advice.
April 24th, 2009 16:20
i need activation code for xp sp3 geniune key to stop 30days trail.
February 25th, 2009 23:32
Install Windows XP with this CD key;
KWTDY-HYHVW-M9TGD-WYBPT-H7HGQ
November 23rd, 2008 04:05
g Cite
October 21st, 2008 19:16
Fernando é um analfabeto tanto na língua inglesa, quanto na língua portuguesa.
September 27th, 2008 23:48
hello.
i have a problem. my computer came with windows installation on it and the files to reinstall in case you format the computer.
but for some reason this hidden part of the HDD was not accessible after format and in desperation i downloaded windows home sp3 now.
when it asks me for my product key i enter the one on the bottom of my machine (the one that came with the windows home version i was using before formatting).
for some reason this windows version wont allow it though.
what can i do?
July 24th, 2008 22:34
Esse site é uma porcaria num tem nenhum link para poder clicar para fazer o download
porcaria de Siteeee
ekaaaa
orrivel !!!!!!!!111
May 5th, 2008 01:33
[...] Professional Edition, and both versions for retail and volume license (VL or VOL) customers, where retail version now does not require a product key to install, while VL version requires a volume licensing product key (VLK) to install. There are almost K, N, [...]
May 5th, 2008 00:14
Alea, thanks for pointing out, forget about OEM versions.
May 5th, 2008 00:04
I slipstreamed SP3 on my XP Pro Sp2 OEM, and it works in the same way, i have now a xp sp3 pro OEM installed without key and 30 days to test it until activation, i think the home edition version works similar