The only version that doesn't require activation is a corporate version. The OEM versions that you get with a new computer are usually pre-activated but if you mess around with them they require re-activation. That's assuming it even will activate it since they are usually not stand alone versions but recovery versions that are keyed to system specifics so too much of a system change and you may end up with a version of XP that doesn't work at all.
yeah, its the corporate version that doesnt require activation. i dont think you can just buy these from microsoft however, because they are typically used for large corporations. and if you CAN buy them from microsoft, they are very pricey, upwards on 1000 bucks, i believe. i dont know for certain how much they cost, but we have a few corporate keys for work, and we are a BIG company . . .
You cannot buy individual copies of Corporate edition. You must license them in groups of 250.
Groups of 250? Are you sure about that? I know you can by groups of 2k in 5's. Seems a little unrealistic that you'd have to by groups of 250. Either way though you can't just by then in groups of 1.
We're talking about end client software - not server CALs.. You can buy Server 2000/2003 CALs in groups of 5.
Anyways, it's a moot point - you don't just call Microsoft and say "hi, yes, I'd like 250 copies of corporate edition with no activation"... Windows XP is an activated product, whether we like it or not.
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Groups of 250? Are you sure about that? I know you can by groups of 2k in 5's. Seems a little unrealistic that you'd have to by groups of 250. Either way though you can't just by then in groups of 1.
We're talking about end client software - not server CALs.. You can buy Server 2000/2003 CALs in groups of 5.
Anyways, it's a moot point - you don't just call Microsoft and say "hi, yes, I'd like 250 copies of corporate edition with no activation"... Windows XP is an activated product, whether we like it or not.