#Microsoft windows license help how to#
#Microsoft windows license help serial numbers#
#Microsoft windows license help license key#

On a side note, I stumbled across this site two days ago and have yet to close my browser. In retrospect, I sure wish I had taken the time to write down the information. I will continue the chase as time permits, but no promises on an eventual ‘payoff’.

#Microsoft windows license help serial numbers#

I also recall coming across a page describing the differences in the serial numbers themselves, but relocating that page has eluded my search efforts so far. It took about an hour to relocate it, but this is some rather useful info.

#Microsoft windows license help how to#

When I saw the initial request for a way to determine the type of key one has, I KNEW I had recently seen a breakdown on how to tell what type of install disk you’re holding or modifying/creating (the flip side of this query). There’s no easy way to tell if a user’s key is from an Action Pack subscription or a volume license deal, both of which require different CDs from the OEM and the retail ones, but the good news is that if they’ve got those, they almost certainly know it, because those are not the kind of thing you find on a home user’s personal PC.

#Microsoft windows license help license key#

If they’ve got a brightly-coloured 8.5×11 paper folder with a CD holder and a license key on the folder itself, its a retail copy. If there’s no license sticker on the computer case, it’s probably a retail copy. If it says the name of any computer company on it, it’s OEM. If it’s on the case of the machine, it’s 99% likely to be OEM. To tell if the user’s license key is OEM or not, look for the license sticker. How to determine what type of Windows XP License Key you have: If it is a branded CD (such as Dell or HP), its OEM. To use an upgrade disk you’ll need a valid disk from a lower version like 2000 or ME to put in when the installer prompts you for one. If it says “Only for distribution with a new PC” on the front of the disk, it’s an OEM copy.

The way to tell if any given disk is OEM or not is to look carefully at the words in the hologram. How to determine what type of Windows XP CD you have: JohnR from Technibbles forums has posted an excellent tip about how to visually determine the difference between Windows XP CDs. So how does a computer technician know which XP CD they should use for their clients license key? However, they usually have their license key attached to the side of their computers. To make things worse, lots of people lose their Windows XP CD. If you have a retail license key, it wont work on an OEM disk. The problem with different versions is the license key from one version typically wont work on another version.

Volume License – Typically used in large businesses, government and educational institutions.

Action pack – Was part of the Microsoft Action Pack.

Branded – Specifically branded copies from large computer manufacturers like Dell.

Upgrade – To upgrade from a previous operating system.

Retail – Brought stand alone in stores like BestBuy, CompUSA etc.

OEM – Which are usually sold with the computer.

There are many different types of Windows XP CDs available: For the not-so-techie readers, not all Windows XP CDs and Licenses are the same.