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First post, by BEEN_Nath_58

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My copy of Windows XP Home was pretty old(around 2002) and it required activation after Windows was installed. Today I decided to take out this copy and put it in my VMware; but the activation servers are down and the telephone servers are unavailable too.

A friend of mine has a SP3 copy which even requires activation after install. Is there any way to do this activation later, or get a 30-day trial like the Pro edition?

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Reply 2 of 22, by BEEN_Nath_58

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breiztiger wrote on 2021-04-03, 07:34:

I don't need this actually. I want to bypass the PRE-OOBE screen where you have to activate before proceeding. After bypassing it I can activate it as seen in the video or a Windows activator

First I need to get to the desktop which I can't currently.

previously known as Discrete_BOB_058

Reply 3 of 22, by Tetrium

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Discrete_BOB_058 wrote on 2021-04-03, 07:06:

My copy of Windows XP Home was pretty old(around 2002) and it required activation after Windows was installed. Today I decided to take out this copy and put it in my VMware; but the activation servers are down and the telephone servers are unavailable too.

A friend of mine has a SP3 copy which even requires activation after install. Is there any way to do this activation later, or get a 30-day trial like the Pro edition?

I've been doing some reading online just now and it appears something is or was up with the XP activation servers or something and the use of certain keys?
Chances are things may return back to normal so it may be worth to try it again today or tomorrow if today also fails.

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Reply 4 of 22, by Errius

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My experience of activating Windows Server 2003 and Office 2003 a couple of years ago is that you need to keep hammering the server. After half a dozen attempts over a couple of days, both activated. Don't assume the server is down just because your first activation attempt fails. Microsoft are just messing with you.

Is this too much voodoo?

Reply 5 of 22, by dataino.it

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No, you can no longer activate it.

You have to download the xp prof version from here LINK REMOVED
(does not require activation)

and if you need to change the language there is always a microsoft setup to change the language by searching the internet for your language (MUI patches)

Last edited by DosFreak on 2021-04-04, 11:17. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 7 of 22, by Jo22

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Discrete_BOB_058 wrote on 2021-04-03, 07:06:

My copy of Windows XP Home was pretty old(around 2002) and it required activation after Windows was installed. Today I decided to take out this copy and put it in my VMware; but the activation servers are down and the telephone servers are unavailable too.

A friend of mine has a SP3 copy which even requires activation after install. Is there any way to do this activation later, or get a 30-day trial like the Pro edition?

Well, Microsoft wants XP (and Win Seven) to die. Badly.
So it's just natural that the company has no interest to lend a helping hand.
It's the same old story. If you're sincere and play by the rules only, you're the fool. 🙁

Anyway.. From what I remember, it's possible to use the old activation err "methods" up to SP2*.
Once done, someone can do a backup copy of winlogon.exe and install SP3 offline via installer.
Once the update process is successful, someone can use a live Linux distro an inject the old winlogon.exe to the old location on the XP partition.

(*Note : In some places on earth, say Germany, this is legit, even. There, users are allowed to use patches and whatnot as an interim
solution to make the software operational, until the provider of the legally acquired software gives support/does send the activation codes.)

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Reply 8 of 22, by noisymemories

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I succesfully activated Windows XP SP3 Home Edition using the phone activation a few weeks ago using the toll free number in Italy with no issues whatsoever.

No idea about the online activation tho, if the server are still online the biggest problem right now is the lack of valid root certificates in a default Win XP install.

I had to manually update them using and install a series exported certs from windows 10 (http://woshub.com/updating-trusted-root-certi … -in-windows-10/) and every manual update available from the microsoft catalog website before being able to connect to the update server.

Reply 9 of 22, by vetz

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Errius wrote on 2021-04-03, 11:34:

My experience of activating Windows Server 2003 and Office 2003 a couple of years ago is that you need to keep hammering the server. After half a dozen attempts over a couple of days, both activated. Don't assume the server is down just because your first activation attempt fails. Microsoft are just messing with you.

That don't work any longer with Office 2003. Only way to activate in 2021 is through phone. I know this since I just did it on my Win98/WinXP build.

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Reply 11 of 22, by DosFreak

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This may work also:

http://win2k.org/wlu/wluen.htm

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Reply 12 of 22, by Tetrium

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Jo22 wrote on 2021-04-04, 11:39:
Well, Microsoft wants XP (and Win Seven) to die. Badly. So it's just natural that the company has no interest to lend a helping […]
Show full quote
Discrete_BOB_058 wrote on 2021-04-03, 07:06:

My copy of Windows XP Home was pretty old(around 2002) and it required activation after Windows was installed. Today I decided to take out this copy and put it in my VMware; but the activation servers are down and the telephone servers are unavailable too.

A friend of mine has a SP3 copy which even requires activation after install. Is there any way to do this activation later, or get a 30-day trial like the Pro edition?

Well, Microsoft wants XP (and Win Seven) to die. Badly.
So it's just natural that the company has no interest to lend a helping hand.
It's the same old story. If you're sincere and play by the rules only, you're the fool. 🙁

Anyway.. From what I remember, it's possible to use the old activation err "methods" up to SP2*.
Once done, someone can do a backup copy of winlogon.exe and install SP3 offline via installer.
Once the update process is successful, someone can use a live Linux distro an inject the old winlogon.exe to the old location on the XP partition.

(*Note : In some places on earth, say Germany, this is legit, even. There, users are allowed to use patches and whatnot as an interim
solution to make the software operational, until the provider of the legally acquired software gives support/does send the activation codes.)

I wasn't fully aware of this being the case in some specific regions.
I won't discuss anything related to (I'm being creative here) *all* ways to activate WinXP, but I sincerely hope that Microsoft will eventually give us retro enthousiasts a way to activate it in a mostly convenient way.

In the past I've tried quite a lot of different ways to use WinXP, including just using certain OEM versions (Fujitsu Siemens install disks are not able to activate in any traditional way, but will auto-activate if used on a FS mainboard from my experience) and I even managed to get my hands on an official install disk which installed a version of XP Pro which doesn't even require activation at all. It did need more specific keys to install it as the usual ones would not work. It was some kind of mass licensing version but officially even that would not be completely legal iirc?

I sorta had to dive into the details of this once I figured out that using NLite to slipstream an XP install disk from FS sometimes would make the install disk not work anymore or something?

I've experimented quite extensively with different install disks and different service packs. Sometimes the created install disk would not work properly anymore or sometimes it would not work anymore as an original royalty OEM install disk (so no more auto-activate if installed on the correct hardware).

Would be nice if Microsoft would, at some point in the future, provide some (more legal) way to install Windows XP (Home Edition!) if only because historically WinXP was quite significant. Yes I know XP Pro has virtually no downsides vs the Home Edition, but imo both those versions should be considered significant, if only from a more historical perspective.

WinXP is probably one of the most important Windows versions ever released.

Whats missing in your collections?
My retro rigs (old topic)
Interesting Vogons threads (links to Vogonswiki)
Report spammers here!

Reply 13 of 22, by BEEN_Nath_58

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Jo22 wrote on 2021-04-04, 11:39:
Well, Microsoft wants XP (and Win Seven) to die. Badly. So it's just natural that the company has no interest to lend a helping […]
Show full quote
Discrete_BOB_058 wrote on 2021-04-03, 07:06:

My copy of Windows XP Home was pretty old(around 2002) and it required activation after Windows was installed. Today I decided to take out this copy and put it in my VMware; but the activation servers are down and the telephone servers are unavailable too.

A friend of mine has a SP3 copy which even requires activation after install. Is there any way to do this activation later, or get a 30-day trial like the Pro edition?

Well, Microsoft wants XP (and Win Seven) to die. Badly.
So it's just natural that the company has no interest to lend a helping hand.
It's the same old story. If you're sincere and play by the rules only, you're the fool. 🙁

Anyway.. From what I remember, it's possible to use the old activation err "methods" up to SP2*.
Once done, someone can do a backup copy of winlogon.exe and install SP3 offline via installer.
Once the update process is successful, someone can use a live Linux distro an inject the old winlogon.exe to the old location on the XP partition.

(*Note : In some places on earth, say Germany, this is legit, even. There, users are allowed to use patches and whatnot as an interim
solution to make the software operational, until the provider of the legally acquired software gives support/does send the activation codes.)

I am not aware of this process and would like to give it a try.

lafoxxx wrote on 2021-04-04, 11:13:

You mean there isn't even some sort of "emulator" (keygen) of a phone robot dictating offline activation key (very long one) present at the moment?

noisymemories wrote on 2021-04-04, 11:55:

I succesfully activated Windows XP SP3 Home Edition using the phone activation a few weeks ago using the toll free number in Italy with no issues whatsoever.

No idea about the online activation tho, if the server are still online the biggest problem right now is the lack of valid root certificates in a default Win XP install.

I had to manually update them using and install a series exported certs from windows 10 (http://woshub.com/updating-trusted-root-certi … -in-windows-10/) and every manual update available from the microsoft catalog website before being able to connect to the update server.

It is present in other countries but it is disabled in my country now.

dottoss wrote on 2021-04-04, 12:38:

It should work, but you need to update the root certs.

https://msfn.org/board/topic/177534-how-to-ac … 18-2021/page/2/

Means I have to create a different CD then. I will have to go through upgrading to SP1, then to SP3 and then to this certificate if I am not wrong.

Tetrium wrote on 2021-04-04, 14:28:
I wasn't fully aware of this being the case in some specific regions. I won't discuss anything related to (I'm being creative he […]
Show full quote
Jo22 wrote on 2021-04-04, 11:39:
Well, Microsoft wants XP (and Win Seven) to die. Badly. So it's just natural that the company has no interest to lend a helping […]
Show full quote
Discrete_BOB_058 wrote on 2021-04-03, 07:06:

My copy of Windows XP Home was pretty old(around 2002) and it required activation after Windows was installed. Today I decided to take out this copy and put it in my VMware; but the activation servers are down and the telephone servers are unavailable too.

A friend of mine has a SP3 copy which even requires activation after install. Is there any way to do this activation later, or get a 30-day trial like the Pro edition?

Well, Microsoft wants XP (and Win Seven) to die. Badly.
So it's just natural that the company has no interest to lend a helping hand.
It's the same old story. If you're sincere and play by the rules only, you're the fool. 🙁

Anyway.. From what I remember, it's possible to use the old activation err "methods" up to SP2*.
Once done, someone can do a backup copy of winlogon.exe and install SP3 offline via installer.
Once the update process is successful, someone can use a live Linux distro an inject the old winlogon.exe to the old location on the XP partition.

(*Note : In some places on earth, say Germany, this is legit, even. There, users are allowed to use patches and whatnot as an interim
solution to make the software operational, until the provider of the legally acquired software gives support/does send the activation codes.)

I wasn't fully aware of this being the case in some specific regions.
I won't discuss anything related to (I'm being creative here) *all* ways to activate WinXP, but I sincerely hope that Microsoft will eventually give us retro enthousiasts a way to activate it in a mostly convenient way.

In the past I've tried quite a lot of different ways to use WinXP, including just using certain OEM versions (Fujitsu Siemens install disks are not able to activate in any traditional way, but will auto-activate if used on a FS mainboard from my experience) and I even managed to get my hands on an official install disk which installed a version of XP Pro which doesn't even require activation at all. It did need more specific keys to install it as the usual ones would not work. It was some kind of mass licensing version but officially even that would not be completely legal iirc?

I sorta had to dive into the details of this once I figured out that using NLite to slipstream an XP install disk from FS sometimes would make the install disk not work anymore or something?

I've experimented quite extensively with different install disks and different service packs. Sometimes the created install disk would not work properly anymore or sometimes it would not work anymore as an original royalty OEM install disk (so no more auto-activate if installed on the correct hardware).

Would be nice if Microsoft would, at some point in the future, provide some (more legal) way to install Windows XP (Home Edition!) if only because historically WinXP was quite significant. Yes I know XP Pro has virtually no downsides vs the Home Edition, but imo both those versions should be considered significant, if only from a more historical perspective.

WinXP is probably one of the most important Windows versions ever released.

The best MS may possibly do is to release a VM version, like they did Windows XP Mode for Windows 7. This was also I believe the Pro Edition which didn't have the same activation method.

previously known as Discrete_BOB_058

Reply 14 of 22, by adalbert

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Not long time ago I activated XP through Self Service for Mobile (microsoft.gointeract.io) website, I can't find working link right now, but you should get one sent by SMS while using phone activation. Then you can get your activation code through website, and multiple people should be able to use the same link for couple of months.

//edit: I just called M$ and activation bot was still there, i was given option to get SMS with activation link, I requested it and waited, but it didn't arrive. Still it should be possible to do the entire process via phone. Make sure you have a valid phone number from M$ website.

//edit2: this should work at least for a while
https://microsoft.gointeract.io/interact/inde … 95&token=wXVhvi

Last edited by adalbert on 2021-04-05, 10:11. Edited 2 times in total.

Repair/electronic stuff videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/adalbertfix
ISA Wi-fi + USB in T3200SXC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX30t3lYezs
GUI programming for Windows 3.11 (the easy way): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6L272OApVg

Reply 15 of 22, by BEEN_Nath_58

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adalbert wrote on 2021-04-05, 01:08:
Not long time ago I activated XP through Self Service for Mobile (microsoft.gointeract.io) website, I can't find working link ri […]
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Not long time ago I activated XP through Self Service for Mobile (microsoft.gointeract.io) website, I can't find working link right now, but you should get one sent by SMS while using phone activation. Then you can get your activation code through website, and multiple people should be able to use the same link for couple of months.

This one was working but seems to be broken now, at least for me (maybe it's temporary)
https://microsoft.gointeract.io/interact/inde … 24&token=89kRPP

https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoft/comments/g … le_dissapeared/

//edit: I just called M$ and activation bot was still there, i was given option to get SMS with activation link, I requested it and waited, but it didn't arrive. Still it should be possible to do the entire process via phone. Make sure you have a valid phone number from M$ website.

The number is just disabled now for my country( I have seen some YTbers activate WinXP through phone in late 2020 which works). The number even comes up in search(or in Truecaller) that it belongs to Microsoft but is no longer operational. I will try out the things the other members mentioned(slipstreaming SP3 and updating certificates) but I will see if any other solution comes up now.

previously known as Discrete_BOB_058

Reply 16 of 22, by adalbert

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I think this link should work now 😀
https://microsoft.gointeract.io/interact/inde … 95&token=wXVhvi

//edit: older links seem to work too, looks like it was a temporary issue

Another link:
https://microsoft.gointeract.io/interact/inde … 24&token=pMU2Ok

Attachments

Repair/electronic stuff videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/adalbertfix
ISA Wi-fi + USB in T3200SXC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX30t3lYezs
GUI programming for Windows 3.11 (the easy way): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6L272OApVg

Reply 17 of 22, by BEEN_Nath_58

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adalbert wrote on 2021-04-05, 10:09:
I think this link should work now :) https://microsoft.gointeract.io/interact/inde … 95&token=wXVhvi […]
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I think this link should work now 😀
https://microsoft.gointeract.io/interact/inde … 95&token=wXVhvi

//edit: older links seem to work too, looks like it was a temporary issue

Another link:
https://microsoft.gointeract.io/interact/inde … 24&token=pMU2Ok

I tried these out and still they don't work. Are these connected to the phone numbers in some way, because you get them only when you call them?

previously known as Discrete_BOB_058

Reply 18 of 22, by adalbert

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Discrete_BOB_058 wrote on 2021-04-06, 04:31:

I tried these out and still they don't work. Are these connected to the phone numbers in some way, because you get them only when you call them?

They still work fine for me when I open them with my phone or my computer. I found these two on the net, so they aren't locked to one device. Maybe there is some region lock, so you could try VPN.

Repair/electronic stuff videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/adalbertfix
ISA Wi-fi + USB in T3200SXC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WX30t3lYezs
GUI programming for Windows 3.11 (the easy way): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6L272OApVg

Reply 19 of 22, by Crimson Tibbasim

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Some retailers had activator scripts in their recovery partitions. Last time I could remember seeing one for a Dell laptop some years ago. I'm not sure if they exist somewhere on the internet and if so... it's possible for someone to try one on a non-retail version of windows Xp. Not sure if it'll work!