Retail Version v Volume License Key

[Shenan Stanley]

Alan wrote:
(e-mail address removed)

Does any one know if the CDs for retail version contains different
setup files as opposed to CDs provided to corporates under Volume
License.

Apart from product IDs and license Keys what other differences are
there in the two installation CDs.

There's not really much difference, in fact:
http://www.thetechguide.com/howto/setuppini.html

However, know that you legally agreed to this as well:
"You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the
Software, except and only to the extent that such activity
is expressly permitted by applicable law notwithstanding
this limitation".

Of course depending on who you are, what you believe, where you live and
what color your underwear is (actual dye color only considered for this
matter) - what you do with the above information is up to you.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

The Windows XP setup files are identical to both versions.
A "retail version" requires Product Activation while a
"volume License" version does not. In order to purchase
a volume license version, one must purchase a minimum
of five (5) licenses which only makes sense if you have
five PCs or are planning a mass deployment.

Microsoft Volume Licensing
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/default.mspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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| Does any one know if the CDs for retail version contains different setup
| files as opposed to CDs provided to corporates under Volume License.
|
| Apart from product IDs and license Keys what other differences are there
| in the two installation CDs.

 

[Larry Samuels]

Yes--the setup files are different.
The CDs for Retail and VLP are identical EXCEPT in the method they check for
product activation.

--
Larry Samuels MS-MVP (Windows-Shell/User)
Associate Expert
Expert Zone -
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm

 

[Alan]

Does any one know if the CDs for retail version contains different setup
files as opposed to CDs provided to corporates under Volume License.

Apart from product IDs and license Keys what other differences are there
in the two installation CDs.

 

[Alan]

Thanks Carey. So I am not missing out on any special functionalities then.

Regards,

 

[Alex Nichol]

Does any one know if the CDs for retail version contains different setup
files as opposed to CDs provided to corporates under Volume License.

Apart from product IDs and license Keys what other differences are there
in the two installation CDs.

The different versions have different setup programs that check for
their own specific set of legitimate keys. In order to make things a
bit more difficult for the pirates, I understand that this involves
quite a lot of files. The end result as an installed system is the same