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Tech Tips / Windows XP / Installation and Configuration

Activating Windows XP

In order to minimize the likelihood of piracy, Microsoft has included Product Activation technology within Windows XP. The following are twelve facts that you should know about activation:

• Activation is mandatory.
• Activation is anonymous.
• Activation and registration are two different things.
• After you install Windows XP, you have 30 days to activate it. If you fail to do so, you will not be able to use it.
• You can activate either over the Internet or with a phone call.
• You can activate Windows XP on only one computer at a time.
• You can activate Windows XP an unlimited number of times on a given computer.
• If you install the same copy of Windows XP on another computer, you'll need to remove the copy from the first system and use the phone activation.
• Substantially changing your hardware might require that you reactivate Windows XP. In such cases, you'll need to call Microsoft and explain the situation.
• Windows XP is not the only Microsoft program that uses activation. Office is another application.
• Microsoft is not the only company that uses activation in its products.
• If you buy several copies of Windows XP, you can get the version without the product activation code. In other words, anyone can purchase versions that don't require activation.

You can get more information about the licensing program online.