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Summary: Windows XP can probably be downloaded from illegal file sharing sites, but a) that's illegal and b) there's no product key. There's one alternative.
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I have Windows 98 and want to upgrade to Windows XP, I have daemon tools and ultra iso but am trying to find a version of XP to download and mount. Please help if you can. My mom's computer and my sanity depends on it. |
You can download Windows XP from somewhere, I'm fairly certain; you just can't do it legally.
And even if you did illegally download an image, you wouldn't have the thing you really need.
There's really only one solution.
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Purchase a copy of Windows XP.
Microsoft has not made Windows XP available for download, and in any case it certainly isn't free. You must purchase a copy, which typically means getting it at your local or on-line retailer.
Yes, I'm certain that there are various places where you can illegally download a copy of Windows XP and probably many other software packages. But the key word there is "illegally". You would be stealing software almost exactly as if you walked into the retail store and walked out with a boxed product hidden under your coat.
That's what software piracy is all about.
Now there is at least one additional complication if you were to illegally download an image of a Windows XP installation CD. That image does not include the product activation code or "product key". The product key is printed on the box. The box that you didn't purchase. Even with an image, without a product key you won't be able to install Windows XP.
Once again, I'm sure there are places where you can get a product key illegally. However each product key is supposed to be unique. If the key you get has been used by anyone else then it's possible, perhaps even likely, that it still won't work when you activate Windows. One of the whole points behind activation is to track which product keys have been used too many times or are known to be illegal and deny them.
Seriously, the right thing to do, the legal thing to do, and the most problem-free thing to do is to go out and purchase a copy of Windows XP.
And if that's something you can't afford, then perhaps looking into some of the free alternatives such as Linux might be a more appropriate - and legal - solution for you.
Related:
How do I find the Windows CD Key from the CD? I'll tell you how to find your Windows CD key.
Don't lose your keys! Listen to the podcast: Don't Lose Your Keys
I don't have an installation CD for Windows XP - what if I need one? At some point you'll need your Windows installation CD. If you don't have one, you could be out of luck. Be sure to get one and keep it safe.
Article C3086 - July 15, 2007
Hi Leo,
Posted by: Michelle at March 6, 2009 7:52 PMA week ago, my brother told me to install Vista Black Edition on my Mac computer. The mac computer came with both Windows XP and well, Apple. It is a MacBook laptop. I had commented on his computer, which he installed Vista on, because it looked more 'stylish' and easier to use. He gave me the download link and I downloaded it. It took about 2-3 hours, and when I went onto it, it said something along the lines of "Warning : Jack 80 could not be registered" or something. I didn't pay attention to it, and I realised later that it meant the AUDIO. I don't have any sound at all and my headphone jack is glowing red. I searched it up on google about how to fix this -I tried flipping the switch inside the jack with a toothpick- , but it didn't work. It is very inconvient without sound because I was working on a project on Sony Vegas and I am unable to continue due to this problem. I checked to see if the Apple version of my computer had sound, and it did. Which means the problem is Vista, not my audio jack. I want to switch back to Windows XP, but, like you said, it is illegal... Advice, please?
Hi Leo! I just wanted to say thank you. I just got my new iPod Touch and it said I needed to have Windows XP sp2, Windows Vista or later. So I thought it might be easy to just go download it. But then I asked myself something. 'Is it even legal?' So thank you for helping me not get into legal trouble at the age of 11. Yeah, Im 11, lol.
Posted by: elphie at March 7, 2009 4:59 AMI have windows 98 on my computer. Can XP be installed and replace 98? (I cannot afford a new computer right now.) If so, how much would the software cost?
I am also having trouble with my CD drive. It will open 2007 software for my digital camera. Would the drive: Allow me to install XP & reinstall my AOL software?
Posted by: Sal at March 9, 2009 4:09 PMLeo, I purchase a pc with Windows XP home new, then I went online and purchase two Windows PX Professional upgrade new in the box and had ship to me. I had problems installing, anyway this went for some time.Come to fine out my disks are bad.I try contact the dealer, no longer there,I contact Micrsoft,they make me give them all these little bitty numbers all over the disks,Then said YES there real but your screw.You have to go to your dealer and get them .I explain this is your dealer and he is out of business.Please help Carl
Posted by: Carl at March 13, 2009 7:54 AMmy XP displays that its not my genuine XP and now i have a original Key how to re-register with out reinstalling the windows
Posted by: Charles at March 15, 2009 7:08 AMThis thread reaises a number of questions. Acquiring a working copy of XP without paying the richest man in the whole world still more money is technically illegal; but then we all know that the lawmakers in Congress are a bunch of bagmen and if you pay them enough money [ooops, sorry, "campaign contributions"] you can practically write your own law and have it passed. That's how Hollywood, the MPAA, does it. Illegality aside, let's turn to ethics. Microsoft is hardly an ethical company, it is, in fact, a convicted monopolist, with a history of trying to destroy any competition. If it was a proper software company it wouldn't be yanking XP off the market arbitrarily, determined to bully the whole world into buying Vista and soon, Windows 7. It should keep XP available permanently for those who like and want it; ought to be available off-the-shelf at Newegg, Walmart, or other stores for about $50. And at this point they could charge for a service pack 3 or 4... and many would buy it. XP is a "legacy" operating system very stable and proven, and it's going to be around for at least 20 years. But, since this rich and greedy monopolist does only what it thinks is good for it and doesn't care about anybody else; as far as I'm concerned it doesn't deserve any consideration. I make the decisions on what sw is used on 500+ computers, and there will be nothing past XP unless the work a particular person does requires sw that has to have Vista to run. For most office grunt work, the free Open Office is all anyone needs, and that's on 400+ computers now.
Thanks for reading.
Posted by: Burpus Meow at March 17, 2009 11:18 AMDownload Azureus this would be the way to find a copy . Also remember that windows XP/Vista can be activated on another pc after 120 days.
Posted by: Andrew at March 23, 2009 6:12 PMI am a firm believer in buying what is valuable to you! It is a small price to pay for such a useful product.
Posted by: Tien Nguyen at March 25, 2009 7:01 AMHi Leo, I bought windows XP and lost power at home when power came up and rebooted windows XP was not on my desktop and my product key number is not takeing. Microsoft will not issue a new product key since ii was a 3rd party softwear, is there anyway to correct the issue!
Posted by: kevin at April 3, 2009 8:09 AMStupid. Of course downloading illegally is morally wrong and abstract, but most people here will be traffic from search engines, searching "how can i download..." etc. Only to come here and find you telling them to go buy it. Legally, yes, good answer. Realistically, no. Everyone knows how to buy a product, you don't need to tell us the intricacies of purchasing items. Cheers, Leo.
Posted by: Scott at June 11, 2009 7:59 AM