Microsoft Ends This Decades-Old Offline Activation Method For Windows

Microsoft has officially retired the traditional phone-based activation system for Windows (and MS Office) that served as a ...
GameSpot

Windows XP Activation Changes

Microsoft has revealed that it plans to change its antipiracy measures in Windows XP to respond to the beta testers' concerns of that XP's product activation system wasn't tolerant enough of typical ...
HotHardware

Windows XP Activation Algorithm Is Finally Cracked After Two Decades, Why It Matters

Windows XP is the operating system that just won't die. After its 2001 release, XP would go on to sell more than 400 million copies. Microsoft tried to end support for the OS several times over the ...
TechSpot

It's now possible to activate Windows XP offline, algorithm gets cracked

Bottom line: It is now possible to activate a new installation of Windows XP, despite the fact that Microsoft no longer operates its online activation servers. Windows XP has long since been left in ...
Computerworld

Microsoft to ease XP activation with SP3

Microsoft Corp. will change how users activate Windows XP when Service Pack 3 launches in the first half of 2008, a company white paper said. New installations of Windows XP SP3 will give users the ...
ZDNet

Win XP buyers face activation dance

Buyers of new PCs may have to grapple with Microsoft Product Activation, a controversial new Windows feature. Users who buy PCs with Microsoft Windows XP could find their setup disabled if they change ...
Ars Technica

Windows Product Activation: an early look

Windows Product Activation, aka. WPA, will be integrated into all versions of Windows XP (the next version of Windows 2000), save DataCenter and volume-based licensed materials (e.g., for licensing ...