Do I Have to Register XP?

[justme]

It's a new laptop with XP home version pre-installed. When I first
set it up I got a message that I should register it, but it hasn't
shown up again. It is about 2 weeks old. I really don't want to
register with Microsoft. Will the software stop working if I don't
register?

A couple of additional questions...I have Windows 2000 Professional on
a desktop and I like it better than XP. Can I install 2000 over XP?

And finally...If I do keep XP (registered or not registered), can I
install Office 2000 on the machine, or do I have to install Office XP?


Thanks for any advice!!


lynn

[Chuck Little]

yes
don't know
yes

good luck
"justme" > wrote in message
...
> It's a new laptop with XP home version pre-installed. When I first
> set it up I got a message that I should register it, but it hasn't
> shown up again. It is about 2 weeks old. I really don't want to
> register with Microsoft. Will the software stop working if I don't
> register?
>
> A couple of additional questions...I have Windows 2000 Professional on
> a desktop and I like it better than XP. Can I install 2000 over XP?
>
> And finally...If I do keep XP (registered or not registered), can I
> install Office 2000 on the machine, or do I have to install Office XP?
>
>
> Thanks for any advice!!
>
>
> lynn
>

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

1) Registration is entirely optional, and need not ever be done, if
you don't want to.

2) To downgrade from WinXP to Win2K, you'll need a full version Win2K
CD. Before proceeding, though, you'd better take a few minutes to see
if there are any device drivers for the older OS available for the new
machine. There may not be, if the PC was specifically designed by its
manufacturer for WinXP. Also, check with the PC vendor to determine
whether or not replacing the pre-installed OS will void your warranty
and/or any service agreement(s), as normally the case. To replace
WinXP with an earlier OS, you'll have to boot from the appropriate
boot disk, format the hard drive, and install. There is no known or
supported downgrade path or technique. Simply boot from the Win2K
installation CD. You'll be offered the opportunity to delete, create,
and/or format the system partition as part of the installation
process. (You may need to re-arrange the order of boot devices in
the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

3) Office 2K works perfectly well on WinXP.

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
----
You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


"justme" > wrote in message
...
> It's a new laptop with XP home version pre-installed. When I first
> set it up I got a message that I should register it, but it hasn't
> shown up again. It is about 2 weeks old. I really don't want to
> register with Microsoft. Will the software stop working if I don't
> register?
>
> A couple of additional questions...I have Windows 2000 Professional
on
> a desktop and I like it better than XP. Can I install 2000 over XP?
>
> And finally...If I do keep XP (registered or not registered), can I
> install Office 2000 on the machine, or do I have to install Office
XP?
>
>
> Thanks for any advice!!
>
>
> lynn
>

[Sir_George]

justme,

Answers are posted in line;

<Will the software stop working if I don't register?
No, registration is voluntary. You do have to activate the product which has
probably already been done.

<Can I install 2000 over XP?
No, that would be considered a downgrade which does not work.

<can I install Office 2000 on the machine, or do I have to install Office
XP?
Yes, you can install either product.

--
Sir_George


"justme" > wrote in message
...
> It's a new laptop with XP home version pre-installed. When I first
> set it up I got a message that I should register it, but it hasn't
> shown up again. It is about 2 weeks old. I really don't want to
> register with Microsoft. Will the software stop working if I don't
> register?
>
> A couple of additional questions...I have Windows 2000 Professional on
> a desktop and I like it better than XP. Can I install 2000 over XP?
>
> And finally...If I do keep XP (registered or not registered), can I
> install Office 2000 on the machine, or do I have to install Office XP?
>
>
> Thanks for any advice!!
>
>
> lynn
>

[David Williams]

"justme" > wrote in message
...
> It's a new laptop with XP home version pre-installed. When I first
> set it up I got a message that I should register it, but it hasn't
> shown up again. It is about 2 weeks old. I really don't want to
> register with Microsoft. Will the software stop working if I don't
> register?
>
> A couple of additional questions...I have Windows 2000 Professional on
> a desktop and I like it better than XP. Can I install 2000 over XP?
>
> And finally...If I do keep XP (registered or not registered), can I
> install Office 2000 on the machine, or do I have to install Office XP?
>
>
> Thanks for any advice!!
>
>
> lynn
>

No copy of Windows XP must be Registered. But most need to be activated.
Activation is totally secure and your privacy is not violated.

Windows XP is based on Windows 2000. There is not much difference between
them but why have the one with less features. Besides if you do put 2000 on
the laptop it will most likely invalidate your manufacturer's warranty by
replacing the Operating System.

Office 97, 2000, XP and 2003 work on XP.

[Ken Blake]

In , justme wrote:

> It's a new laptop with XP home version pre-installed. When I
first
> set it up I got a message that I should register it, but it
hasn't
> shown up again. It is about 2 weeks old. I really don't want
to
> register with Microsoft. Will the software stop working if I
don't
> register?


Registration is always optional, never required. Activation, on
the other hand, is required, and your system will stop working
except in safe mode if it isn't activated within 30 days.


> A couple of additional questions...I have Windows 2000
Professional on
> a desktop and I like it better than XP. Can I install 2000
over XP?


No. You can clean install 2000 but you can't downgrade XP to
2000.

But what is it about 2000 that you prefer? XP (Windows NT 5.1) is
essentially just a newer and better version of 2000 (Windows NT
5.0). If it's the Mickey-Mouse XP interface you don't like, are
you aware that it's optional? You can turn it off and make XP
look just like 2000.


> And finally...If I do keep XP (registered or not registered),
can I
> install Office 2000 on the machine, or do I have to install
Office XP?


Office 2000 works fine under XP.

--
Ken Blake
Please reply to the newsgroup

[justme]

Thanks for the info, everyone. I've decided I really do not like XP,
and I'm considering doing a complete reformat so I can install 2000.

I don't like the way XP wants to hold your hand while you try to
perform normal computing functions, and I certainly don't like that
stupid MSN Messenger notice which pops up every time I boot up.

I don't know how to make it work like 2000 Professional, but I'd sure
like it to.

OK, so registration is optional, but activation is required. So if I
make changes to the configuration - probably won't in a laptop - , but
nontheless...is Microsoft going to make me call them up and tell them
what I did so I can ask for their permission to keep using my
software? I think there is something really wrong with this picture.


lynn

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

The only thing really "wrong with this picture" is you
understanding of Product Activation.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm

To make WinXP look like Win2K:

1) Right-click the Task Bar > Properties > Start Menu, ensure
"Classic Start menu" is selected.

2) Right-click an empty spot on the Desktop > Properties > Themes >
select "Windows Classic."

3) Right-click My Computer > Properties > Performance > Settings >
Visual Effects, ensure "Adjust for best performance" is selected.

Oh, and turn off Simple File Sharing, if you have WinXP Pro.

HOW TO Disable Simplified Sharing and Password-Protect a Shared Folder
In WinXP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q307874

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
----
You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH


"justme" > wrote in message
...
> Thanks for the info, everyone. I've decided I really do not like
XP,
> and I'm considering doing a complete reformat so I can install 2000.
>
> I don't like the way XP wants to hold your hand while you try to
> perform normal computing functions, and I certainly don't like that
> stupid MSN Messenger notice which pops up every time I boot up.
>
> I don't know how to make it work like 2000 Professional, but I'd
sure
> like it to.
>
> OK, so registration is optional, but activation is required. So if
I
> make changes to the configuration - probably won't in a laptop - ,
but
> nontheless...is Microsoft going to make me call them up and tell
them
> what I did so I can ask for their permission to keep using my
> software? I think there is something really wrong with this
picture.
>
>
> lynn
>

[Ronnie Vernon MVP]

justme wrote:
> Thanks for the info, everyone. I've decided I really do not like XP,
> and I'm considering doing a complete reformat so I can install 2000.
>
> I don't like the way XP wants to hold your hand while you try to
> perform normal computing functions, and I certainly don't like that
> stupid MSN Messenger notice which pops up every time I boot up.
>
> I don't know how to make it work like 2000 Professional, but I'd sure
> like it to.
>
> OK, so registration is optional, but activation is required. So if I
> make changes to the configuration - probably won't in a laptop - , but
> nontheless...is Microsoft going to make me call them up and tell them
> what I did so I can ask for their permission to keep using my
> software? I think there is something really wrong with this picture.
>
>
> lynn

Lynn

Like any other new version of Windows, you need to spend some time leqrning
the new version. :) You can do anything you wish and XP is a very powerful
OS, in experienced hands. You can even make it look exactly like W2K, if you
wish. :))

--
Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User
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