Windows XP Gold Serial XP serial key or number

This option is mainly for the Windows XP product key. There are several steps by which the user can easily change the key or then can even activate the Windows XP without the key. There are ample ways to do that. 

What does Windows XP Operating System actual mean?

It is such an operating system that is created by Microsoft Soon after its invention, it gained good popularity and importance among the people of all groups. Till today there are millions of people who support this despite the fact that Microsoft has stopped providing the support. Even there are no updates that are available for this. The user can update the Windows system by simply using the Windows Serial XP key. If this option is there in the system, then everything will be fine. Only some minor issues will be on the security matter.

Get Windows XP Product Keys & Serial Number 64 & 32 Bit for All Editions

Windows XP Serial Keys free

• 3D2WDJM6-YKQRB-B2XDB-TVQHF
• YXF2Y-QRRKR-BFKVQ-RHQ7H-DJPKD
• G2JMP-2PC7G-RYBYX-PPFKKTY
• BMYY7-WH8QJ-6MTWG-MXXVQ-MD97B
• TWHCC-DC33F-G4JJP-BTR2B-RKRYT
• 4X7WM-GTH3D-DWVCV-HJ-HPMRD

Read more: Microsoft Office Product Keys: Methods to Activate Microsoft Office

Working List of Windows XP Product Keys & Serial Number 64 & 32 Bit

• RXKFJHBVTD2-RMDKBDMT
• VQD7P-3KK7H-M7VV2-CTXM4-MC7FW
• HBJFW-XJ7KJDX-VPPTWG6
• CRBH4-MXB2P-HP7VYTMD-CBHJR
• C34VY-TJYXD-3BG2V-HYX8TCY6
• CDWVP-GBJRG-PDJRG-Y6CMB-HCGG3

Read more: Microsoft Office Product Key: Easy Methods to Activate Microsoft Office

Windows XP Professional Product Keys for bit Edition

• GWHDGCMP-P6RCJ4MT-3HFDY
• VQP4F-V47P8-BBDXK-R7K9Q-B42BB
• JBHK6WKQ-YHTD6-XJFV9-WJP7Y
• 23YURK0-HEVJK-SDAGI-OP
• CCMWPTKCYFGKBW-F9WJT
• T7C4QVGM-R7J6B-VPJJPJ93
• WW-GWPGBX4T-BRD7P-JVT2D
• MRX3FB9TJ-KWKMF-RPWBY
• CM3HYVYW-6JRYC-X66GX-JVY2D
• XP8BF-F8HPF-PY6BX-K24PJ-TWT6M
• M6TFXQ2M-YQK9F-7TBB2-XGG88
• DG8FV-B9TKY-FRT9J-6CRCC-XPQ4G
• XW6Q2-MP4HK-GXFK3-KPGG4-GM36T
• CF-H4CCJ-PWR8R-2RB9K-3G3HD
• GWHDGCMP-P6RCJ4MT-3HFDY
• V2CMK7JD-3R89F-D2KXW-VPK3J
• FY32F-XF3BBF-YWBQF-GVRX3

Read more: Working List of Microsoft Office Product Key – Activation Methods

Windows XP Professional Product Keys for bit Edition

• DB8YF-HTGKP-6CBHYD-PH2PB
• B66VY-4D94T-TPPDFX4FY
• DTWB2-VX8WY-FG8R3-XTY46
• RK7JPGYQ-4P7VL-V6PMB-F6XPQ
• VCFQD-V9FXWVH-K3CDJ3JM
• HH7VV-6P3GTWK-QKJJ3-MXR96
• DW87CRXP-LLK6C-3FJ2JF
• DQ3PG-2PTGJFP2-RPRKB-QBYRY
• BXDQR-2KCRVMJK-WDWPH2PB
• MVW7F-6BCVH-9QPBF-QBRBM
• BRCCBV7-TCB9W-WHRGPXWM
• F6PGG-4YYDJ-3FF3T-RP-3BXTG
• WBD2T-3V7TW-GWJW6-HC6CK-R7MBJ
• R7Q3G-CHTW9-CCQV9-G7DX6-RVTDY
• MRX3FB9TJ-KWKMF-RPWBY
• C4FPJ-HQCGP-QD3XC-2JFFT8Y6
• TCP8W-T8PQJ-WWRRH-QH76CFBW
• JJWKH-7M9RVM4-FX8CC-GDPD8
• QB2BW-8PJ2D-9X7JK-BCCRT-DY
• BJXGH-4TG7P-F9PRP-K6FJD-JQMPM
• DW3CF-D7KYR-KMR6C-3X7FX-T8CVM

Read more: Microsoft Office FREE Product Key List: Activation License Key

Is there any need for Serial key in installing the Windows XP?

There are two types of licensing agreement for Windows XP. One is the VOL or Volume Licensing for organization and the second one is the VLK or Volume Licensing Key. If there is a copy of Windows XP/CD then the user will notice Volume Licensing Organization and if VLK is already written over the Windows CD/DVD then the user has a retail edition of the operating system. The user only needs a genuine Windows XP product key to install the operating system correctly. 

Read more: Windows 8 Product Key & Activator For Free ( Edition) – Easy Activation Methods

Where can one find the Windows XP product key?

If the user has an original Windows XP/ CD/DVD then the serial key will be written on the box itself. However, if the user cannot locate the CD/ DVD then the user cannot find the original CD/DVD. It is hardly impossible to manually find the Windows product XP product key, but there are certain options before the user that can also be followed in such case.

Read more: Windows Product Key, Serial Number With Activation Methods

Extracting it for using a key finder program:

The first step to solve the issue is to use the finder key. In order to get this, the user should install the copy of Windows on the computer by using a stock key. There are some steps that need to be followed in such a case.

• First, download the key finder and then install the program on Windows XP.
• Then run the program and click on the find serial number button quickly.
• Once the programs display the serial number on the screen, then correctly write it down.

Read more: Windows 10 Product Keys & Activation Methods for (32/64bit) Home + Pro Keys

Using a free Windows XP key

If the user is not able to get the serial key even after using the above-mentioned step then it is better to install the shady app on the PC. It is really a great way of solving the matter.  The method is quite simple and so the user should scroll down and copy a serial key to proceed with the process of installation of windows. 

Read more: Windows 10 Free Activation Key & 64bit – 32bit Valid Key For Genuine Installation

Is the requirement for Windows XP 32 bit or 64 bit?

The question is really a troubling one. Windows XP was mainly released for both 32 bit and 64 bits. However, if there is bit processor then the user can install the bit operating system in that case and if there is a bit processor then the CPU can handle a large amount of memory and so it is always better to opt for the bit version.

Read more: Free Windows 7 Product Key List: Activate Windows 7 64bit / 32bit With Genuine Serial Key

To find the appropriate version for the windows the following steps are mainly required.

• At first, click on the start button on the windows and then open system on the start menu.
• Then right-click on the computer and click on the properties.
• Now move to the System tab and then the user will see the system tab.
• Soon the user will notice the various versions of the windows on the computer screen. Choose the right one from that option or list.

See more: How to Activate Windows 10 Without Product Keys

Steps to use the Windows XP Home and professional product keys

In order to use the Windows XP product key following steps are to be followed.

• At first, right-click on the start button and then right-click on the computer and properties.
• Now click on the activation windows on the bottom.
• Now the user will get the option to change the Windows XP Professional product key and then click on the option to enter the Windows product key.
• Simply wait for the wizard to complete the activation process.
• All these are actually % working keys and they are just the real ones. The PC should be updated from time to time to prevent it from hacking and another type of criminal activities.

Read more: Microsoft EXCEL , , , Product Keys & Easy Activation Methods

Step to change the Windows XP Product key

Sometimes it may happen the user may change the Windows XP product key even after they have been installed. There are certain steps that need to be followed in this case.

• First, click on the start button on the Windows XP and click Run.
• Then Type Regedit as soon as the dialogue box opens.
• Soon it will be seen that the registry editor will open. Again go to the path H key_local_machine and soon the value will be noticed.
• The changes can be made in any digit and then type OK.
• Click on the start and then Click run. Also type %systemroot%\system32\oobe\manicapital.com” and run box and then enter
• A screen will appear along with the title lets activate windows.
• Then select yes. Soon it will be seen that there will be an option to change the Windows XP product key. Please type the product key and restart the computer for noticing the said changes.

Read more: How to find if I have bit or bit Office Version?

Steps to activate the Windows XP product key without a key

It is quite possible to see that all the keys may not work properly. Thus, in such a case, there are certain steps that can be followed. Here is the process to do so.

• First, click on the start button that appears on the window and then open the run dialogue box.
• Now type Regedit and then press enter. The moment registry editor pops up it is advised to expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key.
• Now open the Software and then Microsoft and the Windows NT. Once the user opens the WPAEvents the user will see that OOBET timer in the right panel. 
• Simply double click on the OOBET value to change the value immediately.
• Also, highlight the values and delete them immediately.
• The user can enter the value and then click on the OK option.
• Again right-click on the WPA events and click on the permissions.
• As soon as the permission window opens the user should click on the System Tab and ultimately click deny full control.
• Then click OK and follow yes on the next screen.
• Lastly, click on the restart option. After the whole thing starts, press the start button and bring up the dialogue box.
• Please enter the % system to bring up the system information.
• It will be noticed that the user&#;s copy is nicely activated without using any type of Windows XP product key.

In short, there are ample ways to solve this issue completely so that the user can carry their works without any type of interruptions. 

See more: MS Office Product Key Free Download: Serial Number For Microsoft Office License

This post is all about Windows XP product key. You can check the list of working keys here. Morevover, you will learn how to activate Windows XP with the key. How to change the key if you have Windows XP  already installed. Lastly, how to activate Windows XP without a key.

Windows XP Operating system

Windows XP is an operating system created by Microsoft in Soon after its release, it became the most widely used personal operating system in the world.

Even today, it has thousands of users, despite the fact that Microsoft stopped providing support in There are no new updates available for this operating system.

You can’t update your Windows system by using a Windows XP serial key. If you’re still using this version of Windows, your system will work just fine, but it may cause some security issues on your computer.

Still, if you’re searching for a Windows XP product key, you have landed on the right page. Windows XP activation keys aren’t easy to find these days, but we have some working keys here. Try your luck with any of the free Windows XP keys found below.

Do you need a serial key to install Windows XP?

Windows XP has two types of licensing agreements.

1. VOL (Volume Licensing for Organization)

2. VLK (Volume Licensing Key)

If you have a copy of the Windows XP CD/DVD and you notice “VOL” written on it, you don’t need a Windows XP product key. You can install your copy of Windows without providing a serial key.

On the other hand, if “VLK” is written on your Windows CD/DVD, you have a retail edition of the operating system. You need to provide your genuine Windows XP product key to install the operating system.

Where is your Windows XP product key?

If you have the original Windows XP CD/DVD, the serial key is written on the box. If you can’t locate it on the CD/DVD or you don’t have the original CD/DVD, you won’t be able to find it easily.

Manually locating the Windows XP product key is nearly impossible because of the various encryptions that Microsoft uses. Therefore, your only options are the following.

Extract it using a key finder program

The first method to find the Windows XP product key is to use a key finder program. For this method to work, you need to install your copy of Windows on your computer using a stock key. Once Windows boots, you can follow the instructions below.

1. Download a key finder here

2. Install the program on Windows XP

3. Run the program and click on the “Find Serial Number” button

4. The program will display the serial number on the screen

5. Write down this serial number

Use a free Windows XP serial key

If you can’t find your serial key using the above method — or maybe you just don’t want to install a shady app on your PC — you can use a free Windows XP product key.

This method is simple, as you only need to scroll down and copy a serial key to proceed with the installation of Windows.

Do you need a Windows XP bit or bit key?

Should you use a serial key for Windows XP bit or bit edition? I know it’s a troubling question. Read the detailed answer below.

Windows XP was released for both bit and bit computers.

The bits (32 or 64) refer to your CPU’s architecture. If you have a bit processor, you can only install a bit operating system – Windows XP bit, in this case. If you have a bit processor, your CPU can handle a larger amount of memory and you should install the Windows XP bit version.

When Windows XP launched, the majority of PCs were using bit hardware. It meant that 90% of computers were equipped to run a bit operating system at that time. However, you might have a bit edition of Windows XP running on your PC.

To find out which version of Windows your computer is running, follow these steps.

1. Click on the Start button in Windows

2. Open System from the Start menu

3. Right-click on Computer and click on Properties

4. Now go to the System tab

5. Here you can see the system type

Note the version of Windows your computer is running from this screen.

Windows XP Product Key bit

KLSDJ-FERIO-UTU8JFY84
93UJF-KDSIU-YT78Y-SDKJF-IOEWJ
FIOSD-FUHY7-ERTYUR-OEJFK
DSHFGYJ-FKJSD
FVHER-UIYT

TYKJDF-SLHNV-JKSDH
JKSDH-FGSDH-FKJSD-MNF
79Y5F-I34QYUJR-DKSDG
OUI8W-YR-UREJG-KPWER
UITU-Y0UTD-JSMCF-KLASD
HIUWE-Y4IU5TUT

XW6Q2-MP4HK-GXFK3-KPGG4-GM36T
T44H2-BM3G7-J4CQR-MPDRM-BWFWM
DTWB2-VX8WY-FG8R3-XTY46
MQPD6-CR-FMRVC3QKTHJ
DW3CF-D7KYR-KMR6C-3X7FX-T8CVM
RBDC9-VTRC8-DJ97JY-PRVMG

BJXGH-4TG7P-F9PRP-K6FJD-JQMPM
FRCWJP-PC-YY23Y-XH8W3
MRX3FB9TJ-KWKMF-RPWBY
QCDM3TY-JJXP9-TBGMD
R7Q3G-CHTW9-CCQV9-G7DX6-RVTDY

KG7GKHV-4FQKV-4DYXK-BHQTJ
VF4HT-MPWB8-TWV6R-K6QM4-W6JCM
M68XC-TX2C9-PKK8H-GP8JH-RC8XB
KYKVXGQG-2MDY9-F6J9M-K42BQ
CT-F3X3M-9F6TR-J26GM-YTKKD

F4G2M-BH2JF-GTGJW-W82HY-VMRRQ
K72PX-D96QW-RCHBP96F-YQBCY
GYFDM-KCXHW-6GFGQ-JQ9FH-B4TRY
P2BXT-D7Y8P-F6WF2-HYXYPTJD
JQ4TVMWFBK-KTTV
RH6MPPK4-YR86H-YFFFX-PW8M8

Windows XP Product Key for SP3

9HFGJ-KERJT-IOQYRUT5
JKJIF-YUQEWDM-NBDSH-GUIRE
TQ23PRQOI-WEJF8
DFHNG-RGTFRTP-UROFD
SJHGL-IUWRTHR4–U
WHTKJL-RDHFTGESRY4
23YURK0-HEVJK-SDAGI-OP

Windows XP Product Key bit

XP8BF-F8HPF-PY6BX-K24PJ-TWT6M
XJM6Q-BQ8HW-T6DFB-YT-YD4YT
CD87T-HFP4C-V7X7H-8VYW7D7M
CCMWPTKCYFGKBW-F9WJT
DMC3M-2PD9R-9F8RY-KCKYC-JPXWM
KJTHV-V4BVY-6R9JK-YJM7X-X7FDY

GWHDGCMP-P6RCJ4MT-3HFDY
DW87CRXP-LLK6C-3FJ2JF
DRYCH-Q9RY7-YH62D-K98QM-KCGQ8
CM3HYVYW-6JRYC-X66GX-JVY2D
2QQ6J-HGXY3-VGHHYQDC-BYR2D
MFBFCK8BMDB-8MR7T-4QRCQ

QHYXK-JCJRX-XXY8Y-2KX2X-CCXGD
K2CXT-C6TPX-WCXDP-RMHWT-V4TDT
HCQ9D-TVCWX-X9QRG-J4B2Y-GR2TT
HH7VV-6P3GTWK-QKJJ3-MXR96
FRCWJP-PC-YY23Y-XH8W3

How to Use Windows XP Home and Professional Product Keys

To use a Windows XP product key from above, follow the easy steps below.

1. Click on the Start button

2. Right-click on Computer and go to Properties

3. At the bottom, click on Windows Activation

4. Now you’ll have an option to change the Windows XP Professional product key

5. Click on this option and enter your Windows XP product key

6. Wait for the wizard to complete the activation process

Although the keys above work like a charm, we recommend that you don’t use Windows XP these days.

It’s not updated, and therefore your PC will be vulnerable to hackers and viruses. Your data could be at risk if you operate your computer using Windows XP.

If you insist, go ahead and use any free Windows XP product key. These are % working keys, as we regularly update our listings here at iTechGyan.

How to change a Windows XP product key

Sometimes you may want to change your Windows XP product key after you have installed it. Follow the easy steps below to change the serial key.

1. Click on the Start button in Windows XP and click on Run

2. Type “Regedit” when the Run dialogue box appears

3. Now the registry editor will open

4. Go to path Hkey_Local_machine\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\WPAEvents and open the registry key

5. Now right-click on OOBETimer, which you can see under the registry key, and click on Modify

6. You will see a value

7. Make a change in any digit and click on OK

8. Now click on Start again and open Run

9. Type “%systemroot%\system32\oobe\manicapital.com” in the Run box and press Enter

A screen with the title “Let’s activate Windows” will appear

Select “Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to active Windows”

Now you will have an option to change the Windows XP product key

Type the new product key

Restart your PC for the new key to take effect

How to activate Windows XP without a key

It’s possible that none of the keys above are working for you. But there is a solution. Thankfully, you can install and then activate Windows XP without using a key. Here’s how to do it.

1. Click on the Start button in Windows

2. Now open the Run dialogue box

3. Type “Regedit” and hit Enter

4. Once the registry editor pops up, expand the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE entry

5. Open SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > WPAEvents located under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

6. Once you’ve opened the WPAEvents registry entry, you will see the OOBETimer in the right panel

7. Double-click OOBETimer to change its value

8. Highlight all values and delete them

9. Enter the new value:
FF D5 71 D6 8B 6A 8D 6F D5 33 93 FD

Click OK

Now right-click on WPAEvents and click on Permissions

Once the Permissions window appears, click on the SYSTEM tab and click “Deny Full Control“

Now click OK, followed by YES on the next screen, and exit the registry editor

Restart Windows

After it restarts, press the Start button and bring up the Run dialogue box

Enter “%system” to bring up system information

Notice that your copy of Windows XP is now activated without using a Windows XP product key

We hope this article was useful. We update Windows XP keys regularly. If some of the keys aren’t working at this time, come back later for updated serial key lists.

Petr is a serial tech entrepreneur and the CEO of Apro Software, a machine learning company. Whenever he’s not blogging about technology for manicapital.com or manicapital.com, Petr enjoys playing sports and going to the movies. He’s also deeply interested about mediation, Buddhism and biohacking.

A version of the Windows NT operating system
Developer	Microsoft
Source model
Released to manufacturing	August&#;24, ; 19&#;years ago&#;()[2]
General availability	October&#;25, ; 18&#;years ago&#;()[2]
Final release	Service Pack 3 () / April&#;21, ; 12&#;years ago&#;()[3]
Update method
Platforms	IA, x, and Itanium
Kernel type	Hybrid (NT)
License	Proprietarycommercial software
Preceded by	Windows () Windows Me ()
Succeeded by	Windows Vista ()
Support status

Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft as part of the Windows NT family of operating systems. It was the successor to both Windows for professional users and Windows Me for home users. It was released to manufacturing on August 24, , and broadly released for retail sale on October 25,

Development of Windows XP began in the late s as "Neptune", an operating system (OS) built on the Windows NT kernel which was intended specifically for mainstream consumer use. An updated version of Windows was also originally planned for the business market; however, in January , both projects were scrapped in favor of a single OS codenamed "Whistler", which would serve as a single OS platform for both consumer and business markets. As such, Windows XP was the first consumer edition of Windows not to be based on MS-DOS.^[5]

Upon its release, Windows XP received critical acclaim, with critics noting increased performance and stability (especially in comparison to Windows Me), a more intuitive user interface, improved hardware support, and expanded multimedia capabilities. However, some industry reviewers were concerned by the new licensing model and product activation system.^[6]

Extended support for Windows XP ended on April 8, , after which the operating system ceased receiving further support or security updates (with exceptional security updates being made e.g. in , to address potential ransomware threats, like BlueKeep) to most users. By August , Microsoft (and others) had ended support for games on Windows XP. As of August&#;^[update], % of Windows PCs run Windows XP,^[7] and % of all devices across all platforms run Windows XP. At least a few countries have double-digit use, e.g. Armenia, where it's being replaced by Windows 10, with both operating systems having over 40% use.^[8]

Development[edit]

In the late s, initial development of what would become Windows XP was focused on two individual products: "Odyssey", which was reportedly intended to succeed the future Windows ; and "Neptune", which was reportedly a consumer-oriented operating system using the Windows NT architecture, succeeding the MS-DOS-based Windows ^[9]

However, the projects proved to be too ambitious. In January , shortly prior to the official release of Windows , technology writer Paul Thurrott reported that Microsoft had shelved both Neptune and Odyssey in favor of a new product codenamed "Whistler", after Whistler, British Columbia, as many Microsoft employees skied at the Whistler-Blackcomb ski resort.^[10] The goal of Whistler was to unify both the consumer and business-oriented Windows lines under a single, Windows NT platform: Thurrott stated that Neptune had become "a black hole when all the features that were cut from Windows Me were simply re-tagged as Neptune features. And since Neptune and Odyssey would be based on the same code-base anyway, it made sense to combine them into a single project".^[11]

At PDC on July 13, , Microsoft announced that Whistler would be released during the second half of , and also unveiled the first preview build, The build notably introduced an early version of Windows XP's visual styles system.^[12]

Microsoft released the first beta build of Whistler, build , on October 31, Subsequent builds gradually introduced features that users of the release version of Windows XP would recognize, such as Internet Explorer , the Microsoft Product Activation system and the Bliss desktop background.^[13]

Whistler was officially unveiled during a media event on February 5, , under the name Windows XP, where XP stands for "eXPerience".^[14]

Release[edit]

In June , Microsoft indicated that it was planning to, in conjunction with Intel and other PC makers, spend at least 1 billion US dollars on marketing and promoting Windows XP.^[15] The theme of the campaign, "Yes You Can", was designed to emphasize the platform's overall capabilities. Microsoft had originally planned to use the slogan "Prepare to Fly", but it was replaced because of sensitivity issues in the wake of the September 11 attacks.^[16]

On August 24, , Windows XP build was released to manufacturing (RTM). During a ceremonial media event at Microsoft Redmond Campus, copies of the RTM build were given to representatives of several major PC manufacturers in briefcases, who then flew off on decorated helicopters. While PC manufacturers would be able to release devices running XP beginning on September 24, , XP was expected to reach general, retail availability on October 25, On the same day, Microsoft also announced the final retail pricing of XP's two main editions, "Home" and "Professional".^[17]

New and updated features[edit]

User interface[edit]

Updated start menu in the Royale theme, now featuring two columns

While retaining some similarities to previous versions, Windows XP's interface was overhauled with a new visual appearance, with an increased use of alpha compositing effects, drop shadows, and "visual styles", which completely changed the appearance of the operating system. The number of effects enabled are determined by the operating system based on the computer's processing power, and can be enabled or disabled on a case-by-case basis. XP also added ClearType, a new subpixel rendering system designed to improve the appearance of fonts on liquid-crystal displays.^[18] A new set of system icons was also introduced.^[19] The default wallpaper, Bliss, is a photo of a landscape in the Napa Valley outside Napa, California, with rolling green hills and a blue sky with stratocumulus and cirrus clouds.^[20]

The Start menu received its first major overhaul in XP, switching to a two-column layout with the ability to list, pin, and display frequently used applications, recently opened documents, and the traditional cascading "All Programs" menu. The taskbar can now group windows opened by a single application into one taskbar button, with a popup menu listing the individual windows. The notification area also hides "inactive" icons by default. A "common tasks" list was added, and Windows Explorer's sidebar was updated to use a new task-based design with lists of common actions; the tasks displayed are contextually relevant to the type of content in a folder (e.g. a folder with music displays offers to play all the files in the folder, or burn them to a CD).^[21]

The "task grouping" feature introduced in Windows XP showing both grouped and individual items

Fast user switching allows additional users to log into a Windows XP machine without existing users having to close their programs and logging out. Although only one user at the time can use the console (i.e. monitor, keyboard and mouse), previous users can resume their session once they regain control of the console.^[22]

Infrastructure[edit]

Windows XP uses prefetching to improve startup and application launch times.^[23] It also became possible to revert the installation of an updated device driver, should the updated driver produce undesirable results.^[24]

A copy protection system known as Windows Product Activation was introduced with Windows XP and its server counterpart, Windows Server All Windows licenses must be tied to a unique ID generated using information from the computer hardware, transmitted either via the internet or a telephone hotline. If Windows is not activated within 30 days of installation, the OS will cease to function until it is activated. Windows also periodically verifies the hardware to check for changes. If significant hardware changes are detected, the activation is voided, and Windows must be re-activated.^[25]

Networking and internet functionality[edit]

Windows XP was originally bundled with Internet Explorer 6, Outlook Express 6, Windows Messenger, and MSN Explorer. New networking features were also added, including Internet Connection Firewall, Internet Connection Sharing integration with UPnP, NAT traversal APIs, Quality of Service features, IPv6 and Teredo tunneling, Background Intelligent Transfer Service, extended fax features, network bridging, peer to peer networking, support for most DSL modems, IEEE (Wi-Fi) connections with auto configuration and roaming, TAPI , and networking over FireWire.^[26]Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop were also added, which allow users to connect to a computer running Windows XP from across a network or the Internet and access their applications, files, printers, and devices or request help.^[27] Improvements were also made to IntelliMirror features such as Offline Files, Roaming user profiles and Folder redirection.^[28]

Other features[edit]

• Improved application compatibility and shims compared to Windows ^[29]
• DirectX , upgradeable to DirectX c.^[30]
• A number of new features in Windows Explorer including task panes, thumbnails, and the option to view photos as a slideshow.^[31]
• Improved imaging features such as Windows Picture and Fax Viewer.^[32]
• Faster start-up, (because of improved Prefetch functions) logon, logoff, hibernation, and application launch sequences.^[23]
• Numerous improvements to increase the system reliability such as improved System Restore,^[33]Automated System Recovery,^[34] and driver reliability improvements through Device Driver Rollback.^[35]
• Hardware support improvements such as FireWire ,^[36] and improvements to multi-monitor support under the name "DualView".^[37]
• Fast user switching.^[38]
• The ClearType font rendering mechanism, which is designed to improve text readability on liquid-crystal display (LCD) and similar monitors, especially laptops.^[18]
• Side-by-side assemblies^[39] and registration-free COM.^[40]
• General improvements to international support such as more locales, languages and scripts, MUI support in Terminal Services, improved Input Method Editors, and National Language Support.^[41]

Removed features[edit]

Some of the programs and features that were part of the previous versions of Windows did not make it to Windows XP. Various MS-DOS commands available in its Windows 9x predecessor were removed,^[42] as were the POSIX & OS/2 subsystems.^[43]

In networking, NetBEUI, NWLink and NetDDE were deprecated and not installed by default.^[44]Plug-and-play–incompatible communication devices (like modems and network interface cards) were no longer supported.^[45]

Service Pack 2 and Service Pack 3 also removed features from Windows XP, but to a less noticeable extent. For instance, support for TCP half-open connections was removed in Service Pack 2,^[46] and the address bar on the taskbar was removed in Service Pack 3.^[47]

Editions[edit]

Diagram representing the main editions of Windows XP. It is based on the category of the edition (grey) and codebase (black arrow).

Windows XP was released in two major editions on launch: Home Edition and Professional Edition. Both editions were made available at retail as pre-loaded software on new computers and as boxed copies. Boxed copies were sold as "Upgrade" or "Full" licenses; the "Upgrade" versions were slightly cheaper, but require an existing version of Windows to install. The "Full" version can be installed on systems without an operating system or existing version of Windows.^[15] The two editions of XP were aimed at different markets: Home Edition is explicitly intended for consumer use and disables or removes certain advanced and enterprise-oriented features present on Professional, such as the ability to join a Windows domain, Internet Information Services, and Multilingual User Interface. Windows 98 or Me can be upgraded to either edition, but Windows NT and Windows can only be upgraded to Professional.^[48] Windows' software license agreement for pre-loaded licenses allows the software to be "returned" to the OEM for a refund if the user does not wish to use it.^[49] Despite the refusal of some manufacturers to honor the entitlement, it has been enforced by courts in some countries.^[50]

Two specialized variants of XP were introduced in for certain types of hardware, exclusively through OEM channels as pre-loaded software. Windows XP Media Center Edition was initially designed for high-end home theater PCs with TV tuners (marketed under the term "Media Center PC"), offering expanded multimedia functionality, an electronic program guide, and digital video recorder (DVR) support through the Windows Media Center application.^[51] Microsoft also unveiled Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, which contains additional pen input features, and is optimized for mobile devices meeting its Tablet PC specifications.^[52] Two different bit editions of XP were made available; the first, Windows XP Bit Edition, was intended for IA (Itanium) systems; as IA usage declined on workstations in favor of AMD's x architecture (which was supported by the later Windows XP Professional x64 Edition), the Itanium edition was discontinued in ^[53]

Microsoft also targeted emerging markets with the introduction of Windows XP Starter Edition, a special variant of Home Edition intended for low-cost PCs. The OS is primarily aimed at first-time computer owners, containing heavy localization (including wallpapers and screen savers incorporating images of local landmarks), and a "My Support" area which contains video tutorials on basic computing tasks. It also removes certain "complex" features, and does not allow users to run more than three applications at a time. After a pilot program in India and Thailand, Starter was released in other emerging markets throughout ^[54] In , Microsoft also unveiled the FlexGo initiative, which would also target emerging markets with subsidized PCs on a pre-paid, subscription basis.^[55]

As the result of unfair competition lawsuits in Europe and South Korea, which both alleged that Microsoft had improperly leveraged its status in the PC market to favor its own bundled software, Microsoft was ordered to release special editions of XP in these markets that excluded certain applications. In March , after the European Commissionfined Microsoft € million (US$ million), Microsoft was ordered to release "N" editions of XP that excluded Windows Media Player, encouraging users to pick and download their own media player software.^[56] As it was sold at the same price as the edition with Windows Media Player included, certain OEMs (such as Dell, who offered it for a short period, along with Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo and Fujitsu Siemens) chose not to offer it. Consumer interest was minuscule, with roughly 1, units shipped to OEMs, and no reported sales to consumers.^[57] In December , the Korean Fair Trade Commission ordered Microsoft to make available editions of Windows XP and Windows Server that do not contain Windows Media Player or Windows Messenger.^[58] The "K" and "KN" editions of Windows XP were released in August , and are only available in English and Korean, and also contain links to third-party instant messenger and media player software.^[59]

Service packs[edit]

A service pack is a cumulative update package that is a superset of all updates, and even service packs, that have been released before it.^[60] Three service packs have been released for Windows XP. Service Pack 3 is slightly different, in that it needs at least Service Pack 1 to have been installed, in order to update a live OS.^[61] However, Service Pack 3 can still be embedded into a Windows installation disc; SP1 is not reported as a prerequisite for doing so.^[62]

Service Pack 1[edit]

Service Pack 1 (SP1) for Windows XP was released on September 9, It contained over minor, post-RTM bug fixes, along with all security patches released since the original release of XP. SP1 also added USB support, the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine, .NET Framework support, and support for technologies used by the then-upcoming Media Center and Tablet PC editions of XP.^[63] The most significant change on SP1 was the addition of Set Program Access and Defaults, a settings page which allows programs to be set as default for certain types of activities (such as media players or web browsers) and for access to bundled, Microsoft programs (such as Internet Explorer or Windows Media Player) to be disabled. This feature was added to comply with the settlement of United States v. Microsoft Corp., which required Microsoft to offer the ability for OEMs to bundle third-party competitors to software it bundles with Windows (such as Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player), and give them the same level of prominence as those normally bundled with the OS.^[64]

On February 3, , Microsoft released Service Pack 1a (SP1a). It was the same as SP1, except, the Microsoft Java Virtual Machine was excluded.^[65]

Service Pack 2[edit]

Service Pack 2 (SP2) was released on August 25, ^[66] Headline features included WPA encryption compatibility for Wi-Fi & usability improvements to the Wi-Fi networking user interface,^[67] partial Bluetooth support,^[68] and various improvements to security systems.

The security improvements (codenamed "Springboard",^[69] as these features were intended to underpin additional changes in Longhorn), included a major revision to the included firewall (renamed Windows Firewall, and now enabled by default), and an update to Data Execution Prevention, which gained hardware support in the NX bit that can stop some forms of buffer overflow attacks. Raw socket support is removed (which supposedly limits the damage done by zombie machines) and the Windows Messenger service (which had been abused to cause pop-up advertisements to be displayed as system messages without a web browser or any additional software) became disabled by default. Additionally, security-related improvements were made to e-mail and web browsing. Service Pack 2 also added Security Center, an interface which provides a general overview of the system's security status, including the state of the firewall and automatic updates. Third-party firewall and antivirus software can also be monitored from Security Center.^[70]

The unique boot screens that identified the edition of Windows XP currently running, including a green progress bar for Home Edition and a blue progress bar for other editions, were removed and replaced with a generic "Windows XP" boot screen with a blue progress bar with this service pack.

In August , Microsoft released updated installation media for Windows XP and Windows Server SP2 (SP2b), in order to incorporate a patch requiring ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer to be manually activated before a user may interact with them. This was done so that the browser would not violate a patent owned by Eolas.^[71] Microsoft has since licensed the patent, and released a patch reverting the change in April ^[72] In September , another minor revision known as SP2c was released for XP Professional, extending the number of available product keys for the operating system to "support the continued availability of Windows XP Professional through the scheduled system builder channel end-of-life (EOL) date of January 31, "^[73]

Service Pack 3[edit]

The third and final Service Pack, SP3, was released to manufacturing on April 21, , and to the public via both the Microsoft Download Center and Windows Update on May 6, ^[3] Service Pack 3 is not available for Windows XP x64 Edition, which is based on the Windows Server kernel and, as a result, uses its service packs^[74] rather than the ones for the other editions.^[75]

It began being automatically pushed out to Automatic Updates users on July 10, ^[76] A feature set overview which details new features available separately as stand-alone updates to Windows XP, as well as backported features from Windows Vista, has been posted by Microsoft.^[77] A total of 1, fixes are included in SP3.^[78] Service Pack 3 can be installed on systems with Internet Explorer versions 6, 7, or 8; Internet Explorer 7 is not included as part of SP3.^[79]

Service Pack 3 included security enhancements over and above those of SP2, including APIs allowing developers to enable Data Execution Prevention for their code, independent of system-wide compatibility enforcement settings,^[80] the Security Support Provider Interface,^[81] improvements to WPA2 security,^[82] and an updated version of the Microsoft Enhanced Cryptographic Provider Module that is FIPS certified.^[83]

In incorporating all previously released updates not included in SP2, Service Pack 3 included many other key features. Windows Imaging Component allowed camera vendors to integrate their own proprietary image codecs with the operating system's features, such as thumbnails and slideshows.^[84] In enterprise features, Remote Desktop Protocol included support for ClearType and bit color depth over RDP,^[85] while improvements made to Windows Management Instrumentation in Windows Vista to reduce the possibility of corruption of the WMI repository were backported to XP SP3.^[86]

In addition, SP3 contains updates to the operating system components of Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE) and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition, and security updates for .NET Framework version , which is included in these editions. However, it does not include update rollups for the Windows Media Center application in Windows XP MCE ^[87] SP3 also omits security updates for Windows Media Player 10, although the player is included in Windows XP MCE ^[87] The Address Bar DeskBand on the Taskbar is no longer included because of antitrust violation concerns.^[88]

System requirements[edit]

System requirements for Windows XP are as follows:

Notes[edit]

Physical memory limits[edit]

The maximum amount of RAM that Windows XP can support varies depending on the product edition and the processor architecture, as shown in the following table.^[89]

Processor limits[edit]

Windows XP Professional supports up to two physical processors;^[91] Windows XP Home Edition is limited to one.^[92]

However, XP supports a greater number of logical processors: bit editions support up to 32 logical processors,^[93] whereas bit editions support up to 64 logical processors.^[94]

Support lifecycle[edit]

Support for Windows XP without a service pack ended on September 30, ^[4] Windows XP Service Packs 1 and 1a were retired on October 10, ,^[4] and Service Pack 2 reached end of support on July 13, , almost six years after its general availability.^[4] The company stopped general licensing of Windows XP to OEMs and terminated retail sales of the operating system on June 30, , 17 months after the release of Windows Vista.^[] However, an exception was announced on April 3, , for OEMs producing what it defined as "ultra low-cost personal computers", particularly netbooks, until one year after the availability of Windows 7 on October 22, Analysts felt that the move was primarily intended to compete against Linux-based netbooks, although Microsoft's Kevin Hutz stated that the decision was due to apparent market demand for low-end computers with Windows.^[]

Variants of Windows XP for embedded systems have different support policies: Windows XP Embedded SP3 and Windows Embedded for Point of Service SP3 were supported until January and April , respectively. Windows Embedded Standard and Windows Embedded POSReady were supported until January and April , respectively.^[] These updates, while intended for the embedded editions, could also be downloaded on standard Windows XP with a registry hack, which enabled unofficial patches until April However, Microsoft advised against Windows XP users installing these fixes.^[]

End of support[edit]

On April 14, , Windows XP exited mainstream support and entered the extended support phase; Microsoft continued to provide security updates every month for Windows XP, however, free technical support, warranty claims, and design changes were no longer being offered. Extended support ended on April 8, , over 12 years since the release of XP; normally Microsoft products have a support life cycle of only 10 years.^[] Beyond the final security updates released on April 8, no more security patches or support information are provided for XP free-of-charge; "critical patches" will still be created, and made available only to customers subscribing to a paid "Custom Support" plan.^[] As it is a Windows component, all versions of Internet Explorer for Windows XP also became unsupported.^[]

In January , it was estimated that more than 95% of the 3 million automated teller machines in the world were still running Windows XP (which largely replaced IBM's OS/2 as the predominant operating system on ATMs); ATMs have an average lifecycle of between seven and ten years, but some have had lifecycles as long as Plans were being made by several ATM vendors and their customers to migrate to Windows 7-based systems over the course of , while vendors have also considered the possibility of using Linux-based platforms in the future to give them more flexibility for support lifecycles, and the ATM Industry Association (ATMIA) has since endorsed Windows 10 as a further replacement.^[] However, ATMs typically run the embedded variant of Windows XP, which was supported through January ^[] As of May , around 60% of the , ATMs in India still run Windows XP.^[]

Furthermore, at least 49% of all computers in China still ran XP at the beginning of These holdouts were influenced by several factors; prices of genuine copies of Windows in the country are high, while Ni Guangnan of the Chinese Academy of Sciences warned that Windows 8 could allegedly expose users to surveillance by the United States government,^[] and the Chinese government would ban the purchase of Windows 8 products for government use in May in protest of Microsoft's inability to provide "guaranteed" support.^[] The government also had concerns that the impending end of support could affect their anti-piracy initiatives with Microsoft, as users would simply pirate newer versions rather than purchasing them legally. As such, government officials formally requested that Microsoft extend the support period for XP for these reasons. While Microsoft did not comply with their requests, a number of major Chinese software developers, such as Lenovo, Kingsoft and Tencent, will provide free support and resources for Chinese users migrating from XP.^[] Several governments, in particular those of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, elected to negotiate "Custom Support" plans with Microsoft for their continued, internal use of Windows XP; the British government's deal lasted for a year, and also covered support for Office (which reached end-of-life the same day) and cost £ million.^[]

On March 8, , Microsoft deployed an update for XP that, on the 8th of each month, displays a pop-up notification to remind users about the end of support; however, these notifications may be disabled by the user.^[] Microsoft also partnered with Laplink to provide a special "express" version of its PCmover software to help users migrate files and settings from XP to a computer with a newer version of Windows.^[]