Windows xp 64 bit product key how to#
Windows xp 64 bit product key license key#

Windows xp 64 bit product key license key#

If theyвЂ™ve got a brightly-coloured 8.5Г—11 paper folder with a CD holder and a license key on the folder itself, its a retail copy. If thereвЂ™s no license sticker on the computer case, itвЂ™s probably a retail copy. If it says the name of any computer company on it, itвЂ™s OEM. If itвЂ™s on the case of the machine, itвЂ™s 99% likely to be OEM. To tell if the userвЂ™s license key is OEM or not, look for the license sticker.

Windows xp 64 bit product key how to#

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 youвЂ™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 вЂњOnly for distribution with a new PCвЂќ on the front of the disk, itвЂ™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 вЂ“ Typically used in large businesses, government and educational institutions.

Action pack вЂ“ Was part of the Microsoft Action Pack.

Branded вЂ“ Specifically branded copies from large computer manufacturers like Dell.

Upgrade вЂ“ To upgrade from a previous operating system.

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

OEM вЂ“ 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.