
As similar to Windows Vista, installing Windows XP SP3 without a product key will have system offers the user 30-day activation grace period, and entitles user to a 30 days evaluation or trial period to try out the OS. However, user can leave the product key field blank, and simply click Next button to skip supplying a product key during installation. When installing Windows XP with Service Pack 3 integrated setup CD or DVD for retail or OEM channel (clean install from fresh state or upgrade), the installation process will still prompt for a 25-character product key as appeared on the yellow sticker on the back of Windows folder to be entered. Windows XP SP3 installation or setup CD/DVD for corporate customers with volume licensing agreement still require a valid and legitimate volume license product key (VLK) to be entered, as tested and reported by Tip and Trick previously. However, only integrated Windows XP with Service Pack retail install or OEM CD can bypass the step to enter product key. Microsoft is making good their promise to remove mandatory product key input during the installation or upgrading process of Windows XP operating system, in a new Windows Product Activation (WPA) process that similar to what implements in Windows Vista.
