How can I cripple the product key *after* Windows is set up?

[Steve Maser]

Here's the scenario:


We have a "campus license" for some MS products -- including Windows XP
Pro.


However, "personal computer" users can *not* use this license. They
must buy a "work at home" version of XP Pro -- with a different Product
Key. This is a recent change in licensing for us.


But, we would like to be able to continue install our "load set" onto
personal computers -- but this contains the "multiple install" version
of Windows XP Pro.


Does anybody know if there's a way to "cripple" an *installed* (and
patched) version of XP pro so that:

1) We can remove the "multiple install" product key

2) Upon next reboot of the computer (or some later prompt), the user
will be required to enter a different Product Key



We've found (through a quick google search) some apps that would
*replace* the product key with a different one.


But nothing that lets us *remove* the product key and not allow use
until somebody entered a product key later.


Anybody have any suggestions here?

Thanks!

- Steve

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

Here's the scenario:


We have a "campus license" for some MS products -- including Windows XP
Pro.


However, "personal computer" users can *not* use this license. They
must buy a "work at home" version of XP Pro -- with a different Product
Key. This is a recent change in licensing for us.


But, we would like to be able to continue install our "load set" onto
personal computers -- but this contains the "multiple install" version
of Windows XP Pro.


Does anybody know if there's a way to "cripple" an *installed* (and
patched) version of XP pro so that:

1) We can remove the "multiple install" product key

2) Upon next reboot of the computer (or some later prompt), the user
will be required to enter a different Product Key



We've found (through a quick google search) some apps that would
*replace* the product key with a different one.


But nothing that lets us *remove* the product key and not allow use
until somebody entered a product key later.


Anybody have any suggestions here?

Thanks!

You can use SYSPREP to force the user to enter a new product key ad then
activate. HOWEVER - your campus build is probably a volume licensed build
(you have one key for all of your machines campus wide). The personal users
will be using a retail or other licensed copy - they will not be able to
enter their product key into your build (even after SYSPREP as you must use
the right kind of key for the appropriate media.

Other then getting them to do a repair install with their CD after you build
the machine with your volume licensed build you cannot do what you wish to
achieve.

(It is actually not within your bounds of your licensing to supply them with
VL media installs - they must use their own non VL product and key)


--

Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

Here's the scenario:


We have a "campus license" for some MS products -- including Windows
XP Pro.


However, "personal computer" users can *not* use this license. They
must buy a "work at home" version of XP Pro -- with a different
Product Key. This is a recent change in licensing for us.


But, we would like to be able to continue install our "load set" onto
personal computers -- but this contains the "multiple install" version
of Windows XP Pro.


Does anybody know if there's a way to "cripple" an *installed* (and
patched) version of XP pro so that:

1) We can remove the "multiple install" product key

2) Upon next reboot of the computer (or some later prompt), the user
will be required to enter a different Product Key



We've found (through a quick google search) some apps that would
*replace* the product key with a different one.


But nothing that lets us *remove* the product key and not allow use
until somebody entered a product key later.


Anybody have any suggestions here?

Thanks!

- Steve

Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
I need to change my XP Product KEY #18 on the FAQ list
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
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