Windows XP Hack

[blobrana]

The German Computer magazine C'T (Heise) is describing in its current print issue how to change Windows XP Home to  Windows XP Professional version before install.

(Microsoft is not going to like this.)
The C'T magazine apparently found out that by changing 2 bytes in the installation file of Windows XP Home, it will install Windows Professional. Some functions are missing, but Remote Desktop and User management and enhanced security features are present.
The article is in the C'T 12/05 on page 148. The hack requires several steps. The major change is in a registry file setupreg.hiv in the i386 folder.
you can’t change an installed Windows but only your Installation CD (or recovery CD)

1. Copy the root directory and the i386 directory of the WindowsXP CD to your harddisk.

2. Extract the Bootsector of your WindowsXP CD

3. Change 2 Bytes in i386\Setupreg.hiv :
a) Open Regedit
b) Highlight HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
c) Menu: File -> Load Structure -> i386\Setupreg.hiv
d) Assign an arbitrary name to the imported structure e.g. “Homekey”
e) GotoHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Homekey\ControlSet001\Services\setupdd
f) edit the binary key “default” and change “01” to “00” and “02” to “00”
g) Highlight “Homekey” and select menu: File -> unload structure

4. Burn your new XP Pro CD.

5. Install WindowsXP as usual. Your XP Home Key will work.
Note: You cannot apply SP2 to the hacked WindowsXP Pro.


Link:

[blobrana]

Hum,
yeah,
I know `someone` who runs a `test` system loaded with xp pro sp2, and has managed to hack the key (so that it passes microsofts online validating check) and it runs perfectly.
Differing/poor hardware, imho, is the stumbling block for SP2….

The home hack may be of interest to anyone who hasn’t the time to figure the reasons why they cant install SP2 (I also know of a few machines that have real problems with SP2), i suppose.