How Long Will "Activation" Support Continue?

[jaugustine]

Hi,

How long will "activation" support continue?

Example, if you re-install WinXP and you need to "activate" it.

Thank You in advance, John

 

[Good Guy]

Hi,

How long will "activation" support continue?

Example, if you re-install WinXP and you need to "activate" it.

Thank You in advance, John

Many years to come until Microsoft thinks that these are no longer
required when it might release a final patch to self activate for
minority few who are still using XP.

However, if you clone or image your HD for future use then activation
problems may not be an issue for you. any reason why you don't want to
get Windows 8.1?

 

[VanguardLH]

How long will "activation" support continue?

http://www.zdnet.com/windows-xp-end-of-support-in-april-three-more-questions-answered-7000025151/
http://www.pcworld.com/article/250774/will_i_be_able_to_activate_xp_after_2014_.html
(found with a search on 'microsoft "windows xp" activation support")

That doesn't mean Microsoft will continue providing XP activation from
their servers so you might have to use the phone number to call in for
manual activation.

XP has had a 12-year lifetime (during main and extended support
periods). Don't expect Microsoft to bother with activations for another
12 years. They'll probably yank all support, including activation, in
another couple of years.

I have to wonder if there is a global or master product key that would
unlock all editions of Windows XP. Rather than continue bothering to
waste their computer resources and manpower on maintaining some form of
activation mechanism, it would be cheaper to just dole out a master
product key. Windows 2000 didn't require activation and why many still
use it. Without the need for activation, Windows 2000 became a de facto
public OS. Microsoft doesn't have to waste any resources to support it
while users can continue installing and using it anytime they want.
They should rethink wasting resources on Windows XP and either provide a
downloadable patch that disables the activation requirement or just dole
out a public master key.

Windows XP Embedded (what is used in ATMs and other specific-use devices
where an embedded OS is used) had mainstream support end back in 2011
but extended support lasts until Jan 12, 2016. You don't have Windows
XP Embedded. You have a general-purpose OS (Windows XP Home/Pro). So
ATM, cash register, and other vendors using the embedded version of
Windows XP (which is usually heavily modified to strip it down to only
the components required) have another year and a half to decide what
embedded OS they will move to.

 

[casey.o]

I have to wonder if there is a global or master product key that would
unlock all editions of Windows XP. Rather than continue bothering to

I've wondered the same thing. It's like people in an apartment building
each has their own key, but there is on MASTER KEY that will unlock
every door.

waste their computer resources and manpower on maintaining some form of
activation mechanism, it would be cheaper to just dole out a master
product key. Windows 2000 didn't require activation and why many still
use it. Without the need for activation, Windows 2000 became a de facto
public OS. Microsoft doesn't have to waste any resources to support it
while users can continue installing and using it anytime they want.
They should rethink wasting resources on Windows XP and either provide a
downloadable patch that disables the activation requirement or just dole
out a public master key.

That's what I like abotu Win98 and Win2000. If I throw together a
computer out of several junked ones I can install W98 or W2K and not
have to piss around with validation. Much of the time that computer
just becomes an anchor in my closet, or a place to store a copy of all
my important data.

It's almost a guarantee that if MS dont release some master validation
code, some hacker will..... I'd rather see MS do it though....

 

[jaugustine]

Many years to come until Microsoft thinks that these are no longer
required when it might release a final patch to self activate for
minority few who are still using XP.

However, if you clone or image your HD for future use then activation
problems may not be an issue for you. any reason why you don't want to
get Windows 8.1?

Hi Good Guy,

I also clone the HD(s), but I used "...re-install WinXP...." as an
example.

Recently I bought a very fast used Emachine desktop computer with
WinXP home edition SP2 for $25.00. I formatted the HD and installed WinXP
home edition SP2.

Note: I had no trouble "activating" it by telephone. I have always
activated my other WinXP computers by telephone.

I bought a Dell Win7 laptop last year. I have no interest in Win8.1.

Thanks again, John