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.
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.
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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:
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How do I find the Windows CD Key from the CD? I'll tell you how to find your Windows CD key.
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Don't lose your keys! Listen to the podcast: Don't Lose Your Keys
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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
I have a Thinkpad notebook. It came with XP Home installed but no installation CD because of the Access IBM. That hidden partition has long ago been deleted and I don't have XP boot CD to install it.
Posted by: Oliver at July 25, 2009 11:32 AMInstead of XP HOME(for which I have license key) I am using XP Pro illegally. I would like to download XP Home and use it instead of XP Pro but there aren't any available.
Many people such as myself already bought xp when it first came out and if you think 50 dollars is bad now it was 300then. Cds do not last forever and it is NOT illegal to download if you already bought it and have your own key. Its like downloading a nes emulator not illeagle to download if ALREADY OWN IT. Go out and buying it is a stupid answer for many people such as myself. Thank god for torrents and smart people. Go out and waste your money if you want but I refuse.
19-Sep-2009
Posted by: marcus at September 18, 2009 8:08 PM
download the newest version of windows xp 30 days .after 30 days windows xp is expired. please makes clarify the place for down load windows xp 30 days
Posted by: muhammad at September 24, 2009 4:35 PMMy father purchased XP professional quite some time ago, my problem is - he purchased an upgrade. He no longer has the earlier OS discs that this xp disc needs to install. My computer has suffered a serious setback from an infinite reboot loop (bad SPTD.sys) error that forced me to attempt to reinstall windows via that upgrade disc. This fixed the infinite reboot loop, but I am now *U*N*A*B*L*E* to install ANY of the XP service packs, let alone run windows update OR internet explorer. I'm a student in college, and I NEED a working computer or I will fail my classes. I've already spent 60$ on fancy PC/Windows repair type programs, to no avail. No stores sell XP anymore, windows 7 is coming out in a few days, and I refuse to touch vista with even a 10 foot pole. I'm left with a few options.
1) Wait for windows 7 and spend 350$~
2) Download an illegal copy of Windows XP and use my legal serial number to repair this installation
3) Purchase Vista _now_ for several hundred
4) Buy a legal copy of windows XP via amazon/ebay/etc. and hope it arrives quickly
Either way, I am going to fall behind in my classes because of this issue. What would *you* do, Leo?
Posted by: Dubby at October 19, 2009 12:07 AMLeo, I admire your honesty and principles,it's a shame the companies you are defending don't apply the same.
Posted by: johnno at October 20, 2009 12:04 AMIT is NOT illegal to download any copy of software full stop what is illegal is using a fake key that in the end is what you pay for the key to activate it hence all the 30/60/90 day evaluations then you can purchase online a key to permanently activate it all software companies usually do this I use allot of Autodesk software you can download all there software which runs in to the thousands of pounds for a free 30 day trail direct from there site its not piracy! and again I have a similar problem I have a laptop with a genuine key but the partition where the back up was kept became corrupt all I’m after is a downloadable copy then I will activate it with the key on my laptop more than likely it will ask me to contact Microsoft because it has already been activated which i have done before on other instillations and all will be sorted! Why should I have to fork out for something I already paid for???
Posted by: mike at November 1, 2009 9:34 AMXP can be downloaded freely, each CD image or Physical CD is identical, what Microsoft ask of you to pay is the License Key. In downloading the software you are doing nothing illegal, if however you are using another key (i.e sharing) it is. Though this is quite tricky, unless you wish not to ever use the internet on it, from my understanding. This however could change as hackers beat Microsoft.
The above comment is very true.
P.s Leo please correct your false information on downloading is illegal!!!!!!!!!!
13-Nov-2009
Posted by: Microsoft at November 13, 2009 4:02 AM
I have Vista and I hate it, I want to go back to my XP, but the key I have is a 2004 version, how can I load it after I already have Vista
Posted by: Kim at November 14, 2009 11:41 AMI'm no expert on copyright law so it never occurred to me there would be no LEGAL WINXP O.S.
Posted by: David W. Binko at November 15, 2009 7:50 PMdownloads. Saved me wasted effort and needless hassles. Now it's just a matter of finding the best price on legal O.S. software. That's another issue.
Here is my issue. I bought a Dell desktop a few years ago which came installed with Windows XP Home. After a year or so, my motherboard went out, and a friend of mine rebuilt the machine. However, its not a Dell anymore, just a regular no-name computer. So, my Dell Windows XP Home CD that came with the original computer, obviously won't work anymore.
Posted by: Neal at November 21, 2009 6:29 AMI didn't know what else to do, and didn't want to fork out a bunch for another CD, so I borrowed my girlfriend's Windows XP Media Center CD, installed it, and was given the 30 days to activate. Well, I have to keep reinstalling it every 30 days.
I moved, and the computer was in storage for a few weeks. Now, when I turn on the computer, it goes right into "Do You Want to Activate Windows Now?" Well, I don't have a CD, and I can't even get past being asked this question, to do anything else.
I have Googled a lot, and have seen ways to get into Windows without a Product Key, but those talk about clicking on START, RUN, etc., but I can't even get to the desktop, so I don't see how this can be done.
I have called Microsoft, but I always end up getting pissed off at them, because their tech people are so clueless and pathetic. Both of my copies of XP were legal copies. I am so desperate, I don't give a damn if I download it illegally. Can anyone help me? Thanks.