Changes in Windows XP Product Activation

Based on a blog entry over at Aviran's Place Microsoft is planning further changes changes in Windows XP Product Activation. From the end of the week, Microsoft is plannign on diabling the internet activation process for OEM versions of Windows. From the article,it appears that MS will require anyone wanting to re-activate their OEM copy of Windows to contact the activation centre by phone, where the folks will ask you questions. The first phase of this move afects product keys from onlyl the top 20 direct selling OEMs, but no doubt this will become the norm as soon as MS can do it.

For most corporate users, this has no effect at all, since they are using retail or volume licensed copies. What it will hit is the hobbyist, and enthusiast who has bought an OEM box, and wants to re-install the OS. It will be interesting to see how this develops!